Are users really ready for faceted search?

Are users really ready for faceted search? Elizabeth Pek Oz – IA Conference / 2008

Content discovery = GOLD!

What we’ll discuss…

In brief: Faceted search

Case study: Our results

Are users really ready for it?

What’s faceted search?

This integrated searching and browsing experience lets users begin with a simple keyword search , but then offers useful next steps and insights into the content and its organization. Peter Morville

Common Search Behaviour Taken from: Peter Morville’s presentation at IA Summit 2008 http://www.slideshare.net/morville/search-patterns

Narrow = New search

Case study: Drive.com.au

Buyers, sellers, car enthusiasts Dealer & display advertising 860K UBs / 24 Million PIs

The old search…

Project Goals by 10% by 5%

Design constraints Ad requirements Databases New Cars Used Cars Medium Rectangle Ad

Design challenges

Faceted navigation

Design challenges Search suggest Starting point or

Drop-downs

Google-esque

Results for both

80% 20% Drop-downs Google-esque

New car PIs Search results New car leads 60% 20% 6% 15% Used car PIs Search results Used car leads

Google-esque = 21% more PIs Drop downs Google-esque

Google-esque = 50% less leads Drop downs Google-esque

ute , wagon , vw , diesel , convertible , prado , wrx , xr6 , van , coupe , utes , 4wd , automatic , 4x4 , landrover , volkswagon , lpg , hatch , black, sport

Search box not recognised!

Refine panel not obvious

Google-esque revised

Hybrid

60% 20% Google-esque 20% Drop-downs Hybrid

Hybrid = 20% more PIs Drop downs Google-esque Hybrid

Hybrid = 4% more leads Drop downs Google-esque Hybrid

Are users really ready for faceted search?

Expert searcher Novice searcher No category knowledge High category knowledge

I’ll have the BMW X5

Don’t bother telling me about Mercedes

Get me those details pronto!

Wouldn’t have a clue dear – a small car?

What would you suggest?

Show me the possible options

How do I do this mummy? Expert searcher Novice searcher No category knowledge High category knowledge

Finally, they’ve got faceted search! Now I can get on with it! Expert searcher Novice searcher No category knowledge High category knowledge

Least ready Most ready Learns category Learns interface No category knowledge High category knowledge Novice searcher Expert searcher

Key learnings….

Faceted search is effective

Designing for search is a challenge

Test, test & more tests

Change one at a time

Don’t expect perfection - Refine, refine, refine

Users are humans 

Don’t like change!

Research is key

Design for middle ground

References & resources

Mor ville P , Search Patterns Presentation at IA Summit 2008: http://www.slideshare.net/morville/search-patterns

Mor ville P , Faceted Navigation Collection of Patterns: http://www.flickr.com/photos/morville/collections/72157603789246885/

Turbek S , Advancing Advanced Search Article on Boxes and Arrows: http://www.boxesandarrows.com/view/advancing-advanced

Ferrara J , Search Behavior Patterns Article on Boxes and Arrows: http://www.boxesandarrows.com/view/search-behavior

Wildmuth B.M. (2004), The effects of domain knowledge on search tactic formulation Journal of the American Society for Information Science & Technology, 55(3), 246-258

Elizabeth Pek email: [email_address] slides: http://www.slideshare.net/epek Thanks also to these contributors… ✪ James Fitzgerald : Senior Product Manager, Drive ✪ The UX Team & CSU