Faceted Search
Enhancing content discovery.
Highlights
A full solution to boost search functionality, helping users explore a wider range of content across the platform.
The Problem
A poor search experience
The Telegraph's search system isn’t hitting the mark—it’s creating a frustrating experience for users and leading to low engagement.
Avg 1.7 Search refinements
With click-through rates falling 46% between first and second attempts.
66.5% of searches yield no clicks
Rising to 73% for non-subscribers and 78% for anonymous users.
The root of the problem is that the search system relies on exact matches, with no semantic analysis or AI, which limits its effectiveness. Our challenge was to upgrade the search, improving query quality and accuracy, and broadening content types beyond just articles—all to create a better experience for users.
The Design Goal
Our goal is to make search second nature for users, connecting them smoothly with their results. We’re committed to building a reliable, intuitive experience that lets users explore a variety of content with ease—even when applying detailed filters.
Research
Drawing insights from competitors
To tackle these challenges, I dove into competitor research, exploring standout search experiences across industries—not just in media. I looked at companies like Pinterest, Amazon, and Google to pinpoint products with exceptionally effective search functionality.
This analysis yielded several key insights into the elements of an effective search engine:
Easy-to-find search bar
Position the search bar prominently—ideally in the top centre or top left of the page—and add a clear 'Search' button or icon for easy visibility.
A search bar that stays visible
Keep the search bar visible as users scroll, allowing them to adjust their search without losing their place.
Simple filters to narrow results
Include easy-to-use filters at the side or top of the results to help users sort by criteria like date or topic. Ensure the filters are intuitive and easy to reset.
Clear result cards
Display essential information for each result—like the title, a brief description, and details such as date or author—so users can quickly assess relevance.
Load results bit by bit
For extensive results, use 'Load More' buttons or endless scrolling to avoid overwhelming users. 'Load More' works best when users need to compare content closely.
Show different content types
Clearly show if results are articles, videos, or images. Use icons or tabs to separate these types. This helps users find what they need faster.
Architecture
Using these insights, I mapped out the architecture for our ideal search tool, keeping the business focus on advanced facets and filters front and center.
Design Exploration
From Insights to Wireframes
With audit insights and a clear user flow, I dove into wireframing. First up was the landing state—exploring layouts for top articles, suggested topics, and quick links to hard-to-find areas. Then I tackled the results view, experimenting with multi-functional layouts, overlay filters, and the design of results cards.
Choosing a layout
After diving into the competitive audit, I crafted two layout options to share with the senior design team: one that was left-aligned for a fresh take, and the familiar centre-aligned version. It was all about exploring which layout better supported our users’ needs.
The most scalable option
The left-aligned layout came out on top, offering a flexible design with room for future filters. While the centre-aligned version gave strong content visibility, it fell short on scalability. Notably, Amazon’s focus on robust filtering aligns with our vision for a more adaptable search experience.
Results Taxonomy
In parallel, we mapped different configurations for the results page.
We tailored search facets to surface the most relevant results. Events showed recent articles, index links, and authors, while person and organisation searches featured related topics and news—making results easy to navigate.
Optimising with real-world queries
Using the broad query 'Paris,' I tested several results page layouts, experimenting to boost usability and bring key information into focus.
I created multiple iterations to test different hierarchies, aiming for the most intuitive layout. Articles naturally took the top spot, but the real challenge was deciding what came next. We ultimately locked in a hierarchy that set a solid foundation for future improvements
Final Designs
An optimised search experience that lets users fine-tune their query with topic and section filters, helping them find what they need faster—minimising adjustments and boosting click-through rates.
Results & Impact
Improved filters and visibility drove better results and engagement
Following the redesign of The Telegraph’s on-site search, reader feedback shows a marked improvement in both satisfaction and usability. 41% of digital subscribers now rate the search as good or very good, compared with 17% rating it bad or very bad
User awareness rose, with those unaware of the feature dropping from 35% to 25%, showing the impact of a more visible search bar.
