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Filter, Search and Sort

  • These have to make sense to users
  • They have to meet user expectations and match their "Mental Map" which is their model of how the world should work
  • You need to understand the customer to implement these well

Quick Wins / Lessons Learned

  • Make it obvious when we update lists of results
    (There have been several systems that updated so quickly that people thought they had done nothing. )
    (In these instances it has been necessary to put a visual cue to make the user aware of the page having updated. )
  • Be Very Clear about how the Search , Sort or Filter works
  • Search can adhere to several logical models.
    It is usually Not Clear to users which one we are following BUT they will assume one of them anyway.
  • These Models at the highest level, include:
    • Open Ended Single Word search
      (The word is found somewhere in the contents Title, Text or Metadata)
    • Open Ended Multi Word search
      (Any of the words are found in the contents Title, Text or Metadata
    • Specific Phrase search
      (The exact phrase is found somewhere in the contentsTitle, Text or Metadata)
  • They then can be subdivided into only looking for these words or phrases within:
    • Title Only
    • Text Only
    • Metadata Only
    • Any combination of these
  • They can also act as a:
    • Filter
      This is EXCLUSIVE
      All results are shown until they are EXCLUDED by the search
    • Search
      This is ADDITIVE
      No results are shown untill they are ADDED by the search
  • There are many other subtle variations but the most often encountered is:
    • Some searches need every word in a phrase to be found
    • Other searches need any single word from the phrase in order to return a result

All this detail is given to let you know just how many Mental Models users might have.

Warning

When you are implementing a Search or Filter; It is critical that you make it clear to users how it works.

Sort

Sounds simple BUT:

  • Sort options are often lost or reset when other options are selected (Filter etc...)
  • Tell users when Sort Options are changed
  • Make it even more obvious if it was not Explicitly done by them

Search vs Filter

  • It is often unclear if the text input to a Search Box will build up a list, or narrow down a list.
    • Filter
      This is EXCLUSIVE
      All results are shown until they are       EXCLUDED** by the search
    • Search
      This is ADDITIVE
      No results are shown until they are       ADDED** by the search

Pagination

  • People hate endless pages
    BUT
    they also hate excessive pagination
  • Estimate the number of likely results and ensure that this fits onto 6 pages or less.

High Attention Listings

10-20 items per page are typical for content that requires more attention per item, like products in an e-commerce store or job listings.

Low Attention Listings

20-50 items per page can be appropriate for lists that users might want to scan more quickly, like search results or entries in a directory.

Trip Hazards

  • People have VERY STRONG opinions on what a Search Box should look like
  • They also have strong views on WHERE it should be
    • Make sure Search Box looks like a search box
    • Stick it at the top right of the page
  • People expect search to work the way they expect.
    • Be very clear if you are doing anything clever
    • State if the search is acting more like a filter..
  • Mixing Search and Filters is a minefield
    • Users tend to hold a single mental model of how a thing works
    • When you mix in different models (Additive Search + Exclusive Filtering) it can get really confusing
    • If you are doing this:
      • Tell users what you are doing
      • Make it obvious every time the results change