The further I delve into this, the more I miss having access to students... er, subjects for preliminary usability testing. I'm left with best guesses based on general principles of information architecture and logic intertwined with fixes from my own frustrations using existing search interfaces -- and surreptitiously watching others search when the opportunity arises (what, is that so wrong? =).

That said, I believe the following guidelines for advanced search interfaces would drastically improve upon the online news industry's status quo:

[ Note: I've provided an example which I'm still heavily tweaking (read: I'm offering it up as a way to better visualize my suggestions, not as the perfect solution). And while anyone is welcome to borrow my ideas, I threw together the code behind it rather hurriedly so consider yourself warned: The scripting may not be entirely sound and could almost certainly be more gracefully executed. ]

1. Use visual cues to break it up
Grouping similar types of search options into color-coded (or otherwise distinguishable) sections makes the interface less intimidating. While complicated search interfaces (and those which only appear complicated) come pretty naturally to the tech-minded, less adept Web users tend to just muddle through, often not really understanding the choices they're making or which fields they actually need. It's the same search with or without the visual cues, but presenting it as a process of five (or however many) easy steps makes it appear to be simpler.

2. Don't require keywords
For that matter, don't require users to fill out any particular field. All fields should default to include all unless the user actively narrows the selection. Nothing makes me crazier than an "advanced" search which won't allow me to set only date and/or section parameters to narrow the search. What if my neighbor stole my paper last Tuesday and all I really want is to read what was published that day? What if I know I saw something I really liked over the weekend, but man I must be losing my mind because I just can't remember what it was....What if....? Don't assume your users know exactly what they're looking for.

3. Allow Boolean rules, but don't rely on them (aka the problem with any vs. all)
A great many "regular" people don't have the first clue what Boolean means and few who do use its rules to their full advantage. LATimes.com offers an advanced search that heavily relies users taking advantage of either Boolean or "Concept" (natural language) search parameters to narrow results, forcing a decision on users who are not readily equipped with the necessary knowledge to make it. The Times does label the choices with simpler language ("Matches on all words" vs. "Matches on any words"), but it's still not simple enough.

That brings us to the problem with "any" versus "all." It's not that people can't understand the difference. No, these are intelligent people. It's just that it's too much work, takes too long to stop and process the information in front of them. The solution is to make a better search -- a search which recognizes Boolean rules when applied but anticipates users who won't. Why not simply incorporate the "any" into the "all"? For the most part, the rules do not collide. The more words that match, the higher the result ranking. Phrases enclosed in quotes (or phrases strung together with hyphens) take precedence over Boolean operators that might fall within those phrases. A hyphen preceding a word is added alongside not and ^. Make your search algorithm do the hard work, not your users.

So what commands are commonly known? Good question. People understand the concept of keywords. Many seem to understand the concept of quotes to denote exact phrases and the concept of 'not' or word exclusion. Beyond that, a lot of questions start rolling in.... "So if I say 'or'.....?", "But what if.....", "Is that the same as....." I'll say it again: These are intelligent people, just not people who care about the finer points of search. People with other things to think about. People just like your users.

4. Have a tips page
Sure most will never use it, but it's important to have for those who will. Provide them with simple explanations of how to best use the various parameters of your advanced search, including but not limited to: precedence rules, limitations, how to obtain stories written prior to the beginning of your online archives....

I'm a big fan of making this page either a pop-up window or side-bar so users can view the rules and the search page to which they're applying the rules simultaneously if they so desire. Having to flip back and forth is annoying -- and again, the same users who need help from the tips page are likely the same users who don't know how to use an "open in new window" command. If your form doesn't hold the information users have already entered when they flip back (i.e. they lose everything they typed before going to the tips page), opening a new page in the same window is unforgivable.

5. Clear or reset by section
This one is just a nicety. How much do you hate it when you've filled out a form then want to clear out part of the information but your only choices are to a) do it one field at a time or b) reset the entire thing and redo all the fields you wanted to keep? Suddenly you find yourself trying to figure out which one requires the least amount of work and now you're not just thinking, there's math involved!

6. Flexible date selection
Users should always be able to set an exact date range, but I think it's also very helpful to provide a few commonly used "quick select" choices (see example) to save them the trouble of setting six different pull-downs. I didn't take the time to build it, but ideally you'll provide a calendar -- or an icon that opens a calendar -- which allows users to match dates to days of the week. I also think it's fine to use the calendar as a means of selecting dates in addition to (or instead of) pull-downs.

7. Keep all your searches together
The advanced search page should feature clearly marked and prominently displayed links to every search tool on your site. You may see a different panel initially depending on what area of the site you clicked through, but you should always have one-click access to any search tool. This might be the most important element of the advanced search page for any site which has multiple search tools because it...
-- clarifies that there are multiple search tools
-- clearly identifies which search tool does what
-- organizes your tools in one location, making it easier for the lost to find their way
-- self promotes your tools, allowing users to see what else you have to offer
-- helps users conceptually map your site

There are other ways of accomplishing this visually, but I believe a tabbed display best portrays the relationship -- separate but similar tools. Speaking of which, your search tools should all operate the same way (i.e. display results in the same manner) to the extent that it's possible. Sorry about the ultra-pastel color selection in the example. Ideally, each panel will reflect the coloring of its corresponding content area on your site.

June 15, 2003

Other notes: I have the nagging feeling that I'm forgetting some important aspects of the explanation... I'll add more if something comes to me.