The Problem With Smart Search

[Kubiubo]

Ahoy, readers!

I've noticed a glaring issue with Smart Search that definitely needs to be fixed some point in time. For the most part, Smart Search gives us beautiful and informative results... other times... not so much. In this case, let's look at searching a video game. Instead of getting the game's box art, concept art, anything, we get a really ugly Modern UI experience.

Exhibit A


When searching for Secret of Mana we get this.

If Microsoft wants a consistent search experience, this problem of lacking search results needs to be fixed. For example, in my mockup below, all I did was add the box art and it significantly made the result feel more 'alive.'

Exhibit B


I guess there isn't really a point to this article other than "Smart Search has potential, but it's not consistent."

 

[Laura Knotek]

I don't think it makes much difference, since if one scrolls a little the images show the box art.

 

[Kubiubo]

The point being, Smart Search is supposed to deliver beautiful results. In it's current state, it only half does that. If you search Paris, you get a full image to accompany the sidebar - everything should have a consistent look. I'm pretty big on presentation, so stuff like this bugs me. xD

 

[Laura Knotek]

The point being, Smart Search is supposed to deliver beautiful results. In it's current state, it only half does that. If you search Paris, you get a full image to accompany the sidebar - everything should have a consistent look. I'm pretty big on presentation, so stuff like this bugs me. xD

I guess I haven't noticed since I rarely use Smart Search. I mainly search using a browser.

 

[E Lizzle]

I don't even know how to get to smart search!

 

[Laura Knotek]

I don't even know how to get to smart search!

Search, share, print, and more - Microsoft Windows

 

[E Lizzle]

Thanks for your response! I guess I did know how to get there, I just didn't know that was it because the results were so weird - a mix of filename matches, file data matches, contextual help, and web results. I'll have to try it again to see if I missed something.

-E