Search Requests

Search Requests – Short Conceptual Explanation
How making search requests works
Types of search requests
Search query tips

Search Requests – Short Conceptual Explanation

Search requests are also sometimes referred to as search queries. They involve a search that is conducted on a search engine, like Google. The user can type a query into the search bar or use voice search on a mobile device. Searches fall into three categories that include navigational, transactional, and informational.

How making search requests works

Search requests are easy for users to make. Queries are entered into the search bar of any search engine. Popular search engines include Google, Yahoo and Bing.

Most web browsers enable searches to be conducted right in the search bar. If an URL is not directly typed into the search bar, it is automatically plugged into a search engine and a search results page is displayed.

Search requests can be made by typing what the user is looking for directly in the search bar. This can be done using a traditional keyboard on a desktop or laptop computer, but it can also be typed in using a mobile device, like a cell phone or a tablet. Voice search is also an option. It is especially popular on mobile devices and with devices that use personal assistant programs, like Amazon’s Alexa.

Types of search requests

There are three types of search requests. Navigational queries involve knowing exactly what the user is looking for. An example would be a search for a local company, when the user knows the name of the company but not the name of their website. It’s best for businesses to make the most of navigational searches by making sure their URL matches the name of their business as closely as possible. That way, when someone searches for the name of the business, the website pops up as one of the first results.

Transactional queries involve buying a product or a service. Instead of entering a question or the name of a business, they enter the product they’re looking for. However, sometimes transactional searches can get confused with navigational searches when the user is looking for a local business, or when a local business offers a product and the user is looking for the same type of product from a different company.

Transactional search requests are important to businesses because they are a direct way to acquire new customers. Important information like opening hours, address, and useful product descriptions can help clinch a sale. Informational searches include the search for information. Short phrases and questions are often used to find an answer. It’s important for content creators to think carefully about the words and phrases that are used in web content to ensure their content is included on the search results page when users enter a relevant query in the search bar.

Search query tips

Conducting a search on the internet is intuitive. However, there are some things users can do to ensure they get the most relevant results to their query.

A few search query tips include:

Use the tabs on the top of the search page to narrow a search. For example, when searching for pictures, use the “Image” tab in Google.
Use quotations when looking for an entire phrase on the internet. Otherwise, the search engine will search for each word individually.
Search the content on specific websites by using the format “Query site:url.” For example, a user might type in “Nail polish site:refinery29.com” to search for nail polish on their site.
Use “OR” to search two separate, but related queries at once. For example, a user could search for “cake OR cupcakes” to get recipes for both.
Search requests can include asterisks as placeholders for words. It’s a clever way to search for song lyrics a user can’t remember.