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Netflix Unveils Instant Search Feature

Netflix announced the launch of a new search experience for its website, which includes an “instant search” tool, which gives users faster access to titles as well as actors. The company e...
Netflix Unveils Instant Search Feature
Written by Chris Crum
  • Netflix announced the launch of a new search experience for its website, which includes an “instant search” tool, which gives users faster access to titles as well as actors.

    The company explains in a blog post, “For the new search experience, we use lush cover art that delivers a more visual presentation across the page. As you start typing your query, potential matches of TV shows and movies appear in the grid of cover art. The new style makes it easier for the user to scan the results and, combined with the infinite scroll functionality, gives the user an intuitive way to explore the Netflix catalog.”

    “A list of actors, directors and creators matching the query is shown on the left hand side,” it explains. “When clicking on any of those results, a new gallery will open with all the titles related to that person. The left rail is also used for suggestions related to genres, topical searches and searches for titles that are unavailable to stream. In each case, users see recommendations based on that suggestion, as shown in the screenshot below.”

    You can also type in “Netflix” to see all the titles listed as Netflix originals.

    The features appear to still be in the roll-out stage, so if you’re not seeing them just yet, you should soon. The functionality will come to other devices in time.

    It’s not very often that Netflix announces new features, so it’s interesting that we’re getting this just after the launch of the new social recommendation feature and reports of a short-form video offering.

    Image via Netflix

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