diff --git a/.changeset/healthy-poets-tap.md b/.changeset/healthy-poets-tap.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..31e03e7e09
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/healthy-poets-tap.md
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+---
+'@backstage/plugin-catalog': patch
+---
+
+Set the search field placeholder on the catalog table to "Filter" to differentiate it from the search feature
+
+We had feedback that users expected the catalog table search field to have more sophisticated behaviour
+than simple filtering. This change better sets expectations by setting the placeholder to "Filter" to
+differentiate it from components which are part of the search plugin.
diff --git a/plugins/catalog/src/components/CatalogTable/CatalogTable.tsx b/plugins/catalog/src/components/CatalogTable/CatalogTable.tsx
index f293710847..197937d6f7 100644
--- a/plugins/catalog/src/components/CatalogTable/CatalogTable.tsx
+++ b/plugins/catalog/src/components/CatalogTable/CatalogTable.tsx
@@ -163,6 +163,7 @@ export const CatalogTable = ({ columns, actions }: CatalogTableProps) => {
       title={`${titlePreamble} (${entities.length})`}
       data={rows}
       actions={actions || defaultActions}
+      localization={{ toolbar: { searchPlaceholder: 'Filter' } }}
     />
   );
 };