When people look rather than browse.
WHEN TO PROVIDE IT
When there is enough content that browsing is slow.
WHERE TO PUT IT
Somewhere consistent and expected.
WHAT IT MUST HANDLE
Misspellings Partial words Synonyms and the words your users actually use Singular and plural
THE SYNONYM POINT
People search for what they call it, not what you call it.
Map their terms to yours.
WHAT TO SHOW IN RESULTS
Enough to judge relevance without opening each one.
WHAT TO DO WHEN THERE ARE NO RESULTS
Never show an empty page.
Offer suggestions, alternative spellings, popular content, or a way to ask.
WHAT TO RECORD
What people search for What returns nothing
THAT SECOND LIST
The most valuable content and design feedback available.
WHAT IT REVEALS
Things people expect you to have Words you are not using
WHAT TO AVOID
Search that only matches exact titles Results with no context
