diff --git a/.changeset/search-gentle-chairs-grab.md b/.changeset/search-gentle-chairs-grab.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..f3e2cf3cec
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/search-gentle-chairs-grab.md
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+'@backstage/plugin-search': patch
+---
+
+SearchBar component to accept optional placeholder prop
diff --git a/docs/features/search/how-to-guides.md b/docs/features/search/how-to-guides.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..b6ea6ae364
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/features/search/how-to-guides.md
@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+---
+id: how-to-guides
+title: Search "HOW TO" guides
+sidebar_label: "HOW TO" guides
+description: Search "HOW TO" guides 
+---
+
+## How to implement your own Search API
+
+The Search plugin provides implementation of one primary API by default: the
+[SearchApi](https://github.com/backstage/backstage/blob/db2666b980853c281b8fe77905d7639c5d255f13/plugins/search/src/apis.ts#L35),
+which is responsible for talking to the search-backend to query search results.
+
+There may be occasions where you need to implement this API yourself, to
+customize it to your own needs - for example if you have your own search backend
+that you want to talk to. The purpose of this guide is to walk you through how
+to do that in two steps.
+
+1. Implement the `SearchApi`
+   [interface](https://github.com/backstage/backstage/blob/db2666b980853c281b8fe77905d7639c5d255f13/plugins/search/src/apis.ts#L31)
+   according to your needs.
+
+```typescript
+export class SearchClient implements SearchApi {
+  // your implementation
+}
+```
+
+2. Override the API ref `searchApiRef` with your new implemented API in the
+   `App.tsx` using `ApiFactories`.
+   [Read more about App APIs](https://backstage.io/docs/api/utility-apis#app-apis).
+
+```typescript
+const app = createApp({
+  apis: [
+    // SearchApi
+    createApiFactory({
+      api: searchApiRef,
+      deps: { discovery: discoveryApiRef },
+      factory({ discovery }) {
+        return new SearchClient({ discoveryApi: discovery });
+      },
+    }),
+  ],
+});
+```
diff --git a/microsite/sidebars.json b/microsite/sidebars.json
index 8b8b359fdc..bb9fd5783a 100644
--- a/microsite/sidebars.json
+++ b/microsite/sidebars.json
@@ -90,7 +90,8 @@
           "features/search/getting-started",
           "features/search/concepts",
           "features/search/architecture",
-          "features/search/search-engines"
+          "features/search/search-engines",
+          "features/search/how-to-guides"
         ]
       },
       {
diff --git a/mkdocs.yml b/mkdocs.yml
index b668ffdb15..7376893586 100644
--- a/mkdocs.yml
+++ b/mkdocs.yml
@@ -68,6 +68,7 @@ nav:
           - Concepts: 'features/search/concepts.md'
           - Search Architecture: 'features/search/architecture.md'
           - Search Engines: 'features/search/search-engines.md'
+          - HOW TO guides: 'features/search/how-to-guides.md'
       - TechDocs:
           - Overview: 'features/techdocs/README.md'
           - Getting Started: 'features/techdocs/getting-started.md'
diff --git a/plugins/search/api-report.md b/plugins/search/api-report.md
index 169972d02d..b29149805c 100644
--- a/plugins/search/api-report.md
+++ b/plugins/search/api-report.md
@@ -79,7 +79,11 @@ export const searchApiRef: ApiRef<SearchApi>;
 // Warning: (ae-missing-release-tag) "SearchBar" is exported by the package, but it is missing a release tag (@alpha, @beta, @public, or @internal)
 //
 // @public (undocumented)
-export const SearchBar: ({ className, debounceTime }: Props) => JSX.Element;
+export const SearchBar: ({
+  className,
+  debounceTime,
+  placeholder,
+}: Props) => JSX.Element;
 
 // Warning: (ae-missing-release-tag) "SearchBarNext" is exported by the package, but it is missing a release tag (@alpha, @beta, @public, or @internal)
 //
@@ -87,9 +91,11 @@ export const SearchBar: ({ className, debounceTime }: Props) => JSX.Element;
 export const SearchBarNext: ({
   className,
   debounceTime,
+  placeholder,
 }: {
   className?: string | undefined;
   debounceTime?: number | undefined;
+  placeholder?: string | undefined;
 }) => JSX.Element;
 
 // Warning: (ae-missing-release-tag) "SearchContextProvider" is exported by the package, but it is missing a release tag (@alpha, @beta, @public, or @internal)
diff --git a/plugins/search/src/components/SearchBar/SearchBar.stories.tsx b/plugins/search/src/components/SearchBar/SearchBar.stories.tsx
index fa2ba0d94e..2c990e512c 100644
--- a/plugins/search/src/components/SearchBar/SearchBar.stories.tsx
+++ b/plugins/search/src/components/SearchBar/SearchBar.stories.tsx
@@ -45,3 +45,20 @@ export const Default = () => {
     </MemoryRouter>
   );
 };
+
+export const CustomPlaceholder = () => {
+  return (
+    <MemoryRouter>
+      {/* @ts-ignore (defaultValue requires more than what is used here) */}
+      <SearchContext.Provider value={defaultValue}>
+        <Grid container direction="row">
+          <Grid item xs={12}>
+            <Paper style={{ padding: '8px 0' }}>
+              <SearchBar placeholder="This is a custom placeholder" />
+            </Paper>
+          </Grid>
+        </Grid>
+      </SearchContext.Provider>
+    </MemoryRouter>
+  );
+};
diff --git a/plugins/search/src/components/SearchBar/SearchBar.test.tsx b/plugins/search/src/components/SearchBar/SearchBar.test.tsx
index de8ea9a5a7..3a11daa9fa 100644
--- a/plugins/search/src/components/SearchBar/SearchBar.test.tsx
+++ b/plugins/search/src/components/SearchBar/SearchBar.test.tsx
@@ -65,6 +65,26 @@ describe('SearchBar', () => {
 
     await waitFor(() => {
       expect(screen.getByRole('textbox', { name })).toBeInTheDocument();
+      expect(
+        screen.getByPlaceholderText('Search in Mock title'),
+      ).toBeInTheDocument();
+    });
+  });
+
+  it('Renders with custom placeholder', async () => {
+    render(
+      <ApiProvider apis={apiRegistry}>
+        <SearchContextProvider initialState={{ ...initialState }}>
+          <SearchBar placeholder="This is a custom placeholder" />
+        </SearchContextProvider>
+        ,
+      </ApiProvider>,
+    );
+
+    await waitFor(() => {
+      expect(
+        screen.getByPlaceholderText('This is a custom placeholder'),
+      ).toBeInTheDocument();
     });
   });
 
diff --git a/plugins/search/src/components/SearchBar/SearchBar.tsx b/plugins/search/src/components/SearchBar/SearchBar.tsx
index 214e22520c..53802899eb 100644
--- a/plugins/search/src/components/SearchBar/SearchBar.tsx
+++ b/plugins/search/src/components/SearchBar/SearchBar.tsx
@@ -89,9 +89,14 @@ export const SearchBarBase = ({
 type Props = {
   className?: string;
   debounceTime?: number;
+  placeholder?: string;
 };
 
-export const SearchBar = ({ className, debounceTime = 0 }: Props) => {
+export const SearchBar = ({
+  className,
+  debounceTime = 0,
+  placeholder,
+}: Props) => {
   const { term, setTerm } = useSearch();
   const [value, setValue] = useState<string>(term);
 
@@ -113,6 +118,7 @@ export const SearchBar = ({ className, debounceTime = 0 }: Props) => {
       value={value}
       onChange={handleQuery}
       onClear={handleClear}
+      placeholder={placeholder}
     />
   );
 };