[Sigia-l] search logs - relevance of penultimate referrers?

Jared M. Spool jspool at uie.com
Tue Mar 28 11:05:42 EST 2006


At 10:13 PM 3/27/2006, Listera wrote:
>Jared M. Spool:
>
> > When they turn to Search, our research has shown the queries they enter are
> > the trigger words they were seeking. In essence, they are using Search to
> > create their own links because the links on the page failed them.
>
>If in fact they do that and they succeed, is that so wrong?

Not wrong at all! The key phrase there is "AND THEY SUCCEED."


>In other words, if the searchbox is doing double duty as an infinitely (and
>perhaps dynamically) malleable, one-stop navigation device, where's the
>harm?

The harm is when Search doesn't bring them to a match relevant result.

Across our studies, if users turn to Search under these conditions, they 
end up finding what they are seeking 30% of the time. When they don't turn 
to Search, they complete their objective 53% of the time.

So, that either means the design team needs to invest their resources 
making Search work for an uncontrolled vocabulary in conditions where the 
user is already irritated (because the trigger words weren't present) OR 
they need to invest in ensuring the right trigger words are on the page.

If a tool like Eric's can help quickly diagnose missing trigger words so 
they can be properly placed on the page, everybody becomes happier (in my 
world).

Jared


Jared M. Spool, Founding Principal, User Interface Engineering
4 Lookout Lane, Unit 4d, Middleton, MA 01949
978 777-9123   jspool at uie.com  http://www.uie.com
Blog: http://www.uie.com/brainsparks 





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