Search Interfaces – How can Firefox better help our users?

Jinghua Zhang

People look for information online through different websites or search engines on a day-to-day basis, and sometimes getting the exact information you want can be a little frustrating. Firefox makes search easier for people to access by offering a search box on the top right corner on the browser, and has for many years. Users can also search in the URL bar directly if they type something which is not a website address. Now, we want to explore how we can make search more accessible and easier to use.

For this study, we will explore how people perform search through the Firefox browser. We will be collecting aggregate clicks on where search is being accessed: the search box, the awesome bar, context menu or the Firefox home page. Through the data, we may be able to detect certain patterns that help us improve the search interface that works best for most users. Your search interface may have small changes during the study and we will change it back when the study is finished. We will NOT be collecting your actual search queries or results you used or visited.

Test Champion: Jinghua Zhang, User Research, Mozilla Labs.
Test Duration: 7 days, associated with a survey
Test Version: Firefox 4 Beta

Privacy

Security and privacy are priorities for Mozilla, especially when dealing with user data. All Test Pilot privacy settings give users control over their data will remain the same for the Feedback Add-On in Firefox 4 Beta. These include:

  • Participants’ data will be transmitted to Mozilla only when they take all of the following actions:
    * Join the Firefox 4 Beta program by downloading the beta with the Feedback Add-On.
    * Submit data when the test is finished. Participants will be able to review all data before choosing whether or not to submit it.

  • Test data will be stored anonymously and in aggregate. None of it will be publicly associated with any personally identifiable information.
  • Participants can quit a Test Pilot study before they submit any test data.
  • Participants can opt-out from all user studies or disable the Feedback Add-On itself at any time. Learn more.

Get Involved!

  • If you are testing Firefox 4 Beta, the Feedback Add-On will notify you before the study starts, at which point you can view a detailed study description and choose to opt-out of the study if you wish. For more information on how Test Pilot in Firefox 4 beta works, please see the “How it Will Work” section here .
  • If you are not running Firefox 4 Beta, what are you waiting for? We invite you to get on the latest beta to participate in this study. Help test the future of Firefox by downloading the latest Firefox 4 Beta!
  • And of course, please share your questions and suggestions in the Test Pilot discussion group or on Twitter.