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User Experience Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [search]

An interface to efficiently find items in a digital system, typically by (but not limited to) typing keywords into a text box.

In computer science, a search algorithm is an algorithm designed to solve a search problem. Search algorithms work to retrieve information stored within particular data structure, or calculated in the search space of a problem domain, with either discrete or continuous values.

Although search engines use search algorithms, they belong to the study of information retrieval, not algorithmics.

The appropriate search algorithm to use often depends on the data structure being searched, and may also include prior knowledge about the data. Search algorithms can be made faster or more efficient by specially constructed database structures, such as search trees, hash maps, and database indexes.

789 questions
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How important is the search box?

I've had this nagging feeling for quite some time that much web development time is wasted in designing and developing search boxes that are never used beyond the developers and testers. With browsers implementing search bars themselves, I rarely…
zzzzBov
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Pros/Cons of Search Icon on Search Field

What do you think which is the best search field solution? And why? Is there any research on this topic? To which direction should the search icon face?
Roland Pokornyik
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How to combine search results from multiple sources onto the same results page

I am building a call center tool user interface. The search consolidates results from multiple sources, - approximately 10. There is crossover between the different sources. For example I cannot always be sure that the answer to a certain type of…
Jon White
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Search as you type

Is returning search results while the user is inputting each character good usability practice or a pain in the rear for the user?
rick schott
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What is the threshold of trust for search?

Assuming that you have to find what you are looking for x % of the time in order to trust a search service and become a habitual user of said service: What number is x? Links to research papers would be sincerely appreciated. E.g. is there any…
bjornte
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multiple search boxes

I have a proposal in front of me for a government organsiation requesting a review of their search 'interface.' I have warning bells right away from reading one of the requirements: Is there confusion between qualification quick finder, unit…
colmcq
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Does briefly showing advanced search options on page load increase their use?

Early last year, Jakob Nielsen complained that: In general, we almost never see people use advanced search. And when they do, they typically use it incorrectly — partly because they use it so rarely that they never really learn how it works. Since…
Justin
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Reset filters after new keyword search?

We're using a faceted search to get good results: Keyword search (on homepage) -> result page -> filter results Question: Should the filters be reset when the user does a new keyword search on the result page? My thoughts so far: Pro: There's…
Phil
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Should a "search results" return the number of items found?

Is it recommended to add the number of items found on a search results? In my opinion it is a useful information that gives a quick idea on what you are going to read. Could it be omitted?
systempuntoout
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Location and mile radius layout pattern?

I'd like our users to enter a location (probably city or zip) and a mile radius when they are doing a search. Any good ui patterns for doing this in a slim way?
Max
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Text in a search field - selected with one click or not?

We have a search field. It works like your normal everyday search field on many websites. BUT, there are two schools of thought over how to handle what happens when the user clicks in the field to adjust their search query after running their search…
gef05
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Which is more appropriate from a user centric design for html search input.

Say I wanted to allow users to search on account numbers with the following format. 0000-00-0000 Is is better to have a single field for entry [___________________] or is it better to create 3 text boxes and have the user enter only the numbers?…
Mr. Manager
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Name of this design pattern for Dynamic Search - easily add/remove/alter criteria

I'm looking for the name of the pattern or technique whereby one can dynamically choose to add, remove, or alter search criteria. I'm thinking it is mostly (if not fully) rule-driven, but I'm not sure if that's a requirement or just a useful…
user2387
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Is wildcard search bad UX?

I have never heard of a wild card search until recently. I cannot find anything that says whether this is bad UX or good UX. My team just says it's outdated, unfortunately I need facts if we are not going to use it. I feel like we should just give…
Angela M
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UX Search Filters

I am working on Search Filters for a website, similar to this example on JohnLewis.com. The question that I would like to ask is does it matter what side the filters are, on the left or right of the content. I'm asking this because I have noticed…
Igor-G
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