Preview search results
Systems and methods are provided for previewing content that is located behind the links of a search results webpage without having to click on the links and thereby cause webpage changes. Embodiments provide a webpage that presents a first set of search results in response to a search query submitted by a user. This webpage is displayed in a graphical user interface and the first set of search results comprises one or more links to other search results webpages, which are defined dynamically and cannot be pre-computed. In the event a user mouses over one of the links, embodiments execute the search associated with the moused-over link and then render selected portions of the search results in a preview window that is positioned over a portion the webpage that displays the first set of search results.
1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
presenting a set of search results and user-selectable elements operable to refine the set of search results in graphical user interface, individual user-selectable elements corresponding to a respective refinement query term, wherein a respective user-selectable element is proximate to one or more of the user-selectable elements;
determining that a pointer is positioned within a threshold number of pixels of a first user-selectable element of the user-selectable elements;
pre-fetching a first set of refined search results based on the refinement query term associated with the first user-selectable element;
pre-fetching a second set of refined search results for a second user-selectable element of the user-selectable elements that is proximate to the first user-selectable element in the graphical user interface based on the refinement query associated with the second user-selectable element;
determining that the pointer is positioned within a threshold number of pixels of the second user-selectable element of the user-selectable elements; and
providing for display, in a preview area of the graphical user interface, the second set of refined search results.
2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein providing for display further includes:
calling a search service to execute a search that includes a refinement query term associated with the user-selectable element.
3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein a view of at least one item associated with the user-selectable element is presented without a clicking the user-selectable element.
4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the user-selectable elements include search refinement options, and wherein selecting a search refinement option of the search refinement options causes a reduced set of results to be displayed.
5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:
displaying a navigation element in the preview area;
receiving a selection of the navigation element; and
scrolling the preview area to display one or more images of one or more items related to at least one user-selectable element of the user-selectable elements.
6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the preview area is a tooltip associated with at least one of the user-selectable elements.
7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein individual user-selectable elements include a search refinement link that, upon activation, instruct a search service to refine search results.
8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the second set of search results, displayed in the preview area, includes an image of an item related to one of the user-selectable elements, the method further comprising:
receiving a selection of the image; and
displaying in the preview area information related to an item represented in the image.
9. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:
present a first set of search results and user-selectable elements operable to refine the first set of search results in graphical user interface, individual user-selectable elements corresponding to a respective refinement query term, wherein a respective user-selectable element is proximate to one or more of the user-selectable elements;
determine that a pointer is positioned within a threshold number of pixels of a first user-selectable element of the user-selectable elements;
pre-fetch a first set of refined search results based on the refinement query term associated with the first user-selectable element;
pre-fetch a second set of refined search results for a second user-selectable element of the user-selectable elements that is proximate to the first user-selectable element in the graphical user interface based on the refinement query associated with the second user-selectable element; and
provide for display, in a preview area of the graphical user interface, the first set of refined search results.
10. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9 , wherein the instructions, when executed to provide for display further enable the processor to:
call a search service to execute a search that includes a refinement query term associated with the user-selectable element.
11. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9 , wherein a view of at least one item associated with the user-selectable element is presented without a clicking the user-selectable element.
12. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9 , wherein the instructions, when executed further enable the processor to:
display a navigation element in the preview area;
receive a selection of the navigation element; and
scroll the preview area to display one or more images of one or more items related to at least one user-selectable element of the user-selectable elements.
13. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9 , wherein the user-selectable elements include search refinement options, and wherein selecting a search refinement option of the search refinement options causes a reduced set of results to be displayed.
14. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9 , wherein the preview area is a tooltip associated with at least one of the user-selectable elements.
15. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9 , wherein individual user-selectable elements include a search refinement link that, upon activation, instruct a search service to refine search results.
16. A system, comprising:
a processor; and
a memory device including instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
present a first set of search results and user-selectable elements operable to refine the first set of search results in graphical user interface, individual user-selectable elements corresponding to a respective refinement query term, wherein a respective user-selectable element is proximate to one or more of the user-selectable elements;
determine that a pointer is positioned within a threshold number of pixels of a first user-selectable element of the user-selectable elements;
pre-fetch a first set of refined search results based on the refinement query term associated with the first user-selectable element;
pre-fetch a second set of refined search results for a second user-selectable element of the user-selectable elements that is proximate to the first user-selectable element in the graphical user interface based on the refinement query associated with the second user-selectable element; and
provide for display, in a preview area of the graphical user interface, the first set of refined search results.
17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the second set of search results, displayed in the preview area, includes an image of an item related to one of the user-selectable elements, and wherein the instructions, when executed further enable the system to:
receive a selection of the image; and
display in the preview area information related to an item represented in the image.
18. The system of claim 16 , wherein the instructions, when executed further enable the system to:
call a search service to execute a search that includes a refinement query term associated with the user-selectable element.
19. The system of claim 16 , wherein the instructions, when executed further enable the system to:
display a navigation element in the preview area;
receive a selection of the navigation element; and
scroll the preview area to display one or more images of one or more items related to at least one user-selectable element of the user-selectable elements.
20. The system of claim 16 , wherein the user-selectable elements include search refinement options, and wherein selecting a search refinement option of the search refinement options causes a reduced set of results to be displayed.