Optimizing Search Interactions within Professional Social Networks

Abstract

To help users cope with the scale and influx of new information, professional social networks (PSNs) provide a search functionality. However, most of the search engines within PSNs today only support keyword queries and basic faceted search capabilities overlooking serendipitous network exploration and search for relationships between entities. This results in siloed information and a limited search space. My thesis is that we must redesign all major elements of a search user interface, such as input, control, and informational, to enable more effective search interactions within PSNs. I will introduce new insights and algorithms supporting the thesis.