We seem to rediscover every few months that many users are typing the name of the search engine they are on into the search box. I read many disparaging remarks directed at this very large group of users and I wonder why the remarkers would think this behaviour is ‘clueless’ or ‘dumb’?

Forgetting what the user ‘should’ do, lets consider the two options for a moment. Firstly, in terms of physical and functional composition, both methods of navigating the web comprise of a single field and respond to the enter key; so no difference there. Further, one is placed at the top of the screen, the other often nearer to the centre. I’d say thats one factor that the search box has over the navigation bar.

Moving on, the navigation bar will in most cases punish you for mistyping. Google and other engines will offer a link to (most likely) the site you intended. Now thats handy! I’ve started using the search method for those times its handy. Google Desktop makes it easy to get to a search box (just hit ctrl key twice). This is much easier than ctrl-tab a few times combined with another key-combination to open an URL (and then you get to type the URL…). Who wants to be doing what they ‘should’ do anyway? That sounds clueless to me!

Not all instances of a search engine name being entered into a search engine is for the above reasons, though. ‘Google’ is entered into the Google search engine because who can remember where all their products are housed. Google, in their effort to deliver a ‘simple’ homepage, avoid the portal type page so typing ‘Google’ can be all users can do to find their many great products.

Another point to consider are those keywords put into the navigation bar which aren’t legitimate URLs are often sent to a search engine in browsers such as Firefox. Who wants to spend time repetitively typing the fairly redundant ‘www.’ and ‘.com’ anyway…?

What can we learn from all this anyway? Well next time you consider calling a user stupid, stop yourself and look for the efficiency they are seeking. It can teach you alot about how you could make your application easier. Not everything needs to be reduced to a unthinking action but its worth taking the thinking out of the tasks that don’t require it so that effort is most effectively spent.

Maybe browsers should ditch the navigation bar? Maybe the navigation bar and search box should be one? I’d like to know your thoughts.

Stumble it!