Designing for “The Search Lurch”
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Written By Reprise Media | October 20, 2005 | Share This
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We all know that search engines have changed the way we find web sites, but how have search engines changed the way we way we actually use them?
A new article takes a look at the search/find/review/move on on cycle that usually takes place in a matter of seconds - something it calls “the search lurch” - aka channel surfing without the remote.
A number of web notables weigh in, including usability guru Jakob Nielsen, interface expert Jesse James Garrett and Tara Calishain, author of several popular books on internet searching.
Favorite quote from Neilsen on importance of clear layout and navigation:
“Good usability has always been essential, since people have always left sites that were too complicated. The rise of search has simply lowered the threshold of what’s considered “too complicated” a good deal because users have nine other sites at their fingertips on the SERP [search engine results page]. There is now more of a tendency for users to dip into sites briefly for a very quick visit of 1-5 pages. As a result of this information-snacking behavior, Web sites must design to be attractive snacks and offer value for these ultra-short visits.”
Mmm….snacks.
Read the rest here.
(link via Search Engine Roundtable)
Topics: Search: Innovations |