RKG Logo 434-978-4300

I’ve recently noticed Chrome’s “Destination Search” doesn’t work for sites with unconventional search-form HTML. Not a big deal itself, but I think there’s a broader lesson there about standards.

OK, what is Chrome “destination search”? Here’s an example. If I start typing “cnn.com”, Chrome suggests “Search cnn.com for <enter query>”:

chrome-cnn-0

If I select that option, or if I finish typing out “cnn.com”, Chrome presents what I’ll call a destination-search box in the address bar or the browser:

chrome-cnn-1

See the light blue search button for the specific site in the address bar? If I enter a query there, Chrome searches CNN for “obama” (or whatever), using CNN’s own site search.

(Note this is different from Google’s Search-Within-A-Site feature, which uses Google Search, and of which I’m not a fan.)

chrome-batteries-plus

Chrome can do this because it “understands” the site search box on the destination site.

I noticed Chrome Destination Search works for some retailers (Crutchfield, Zales) but not others (Overstock, PetCo), and wondered why.

After some poking around, I think that using non-conventional HTML forms (eg using Javacript submits) in your site search confuses Chrome. I’m not 100% certain, but this held for the sites I checked. If Chrome can’t figure out your site search, Chrome doesn’t give your site the desirable Destination-Search presentation.

Now, Chrome has under 5% browser share, so who cares about any of this? Valid point. Four thoughts:

  • As much as possible, urge your web developers to favor “semantic” HTML. Simple well-formed HTML helps ‘bots better understand meaning from markup. Spiders typically ignore Javascript. If your forms aren’t constructed conventionally (that is, input fields with an input type=”submit” button), spiders won’t understand them. Semantic HTML helps not just Google, but the entire web.
  • If you need fancy Javascripty actions, go ahead and use them, but add them clientside using progressive enhancement. Few retailers use progressive enhancement. More should. The idea is simple: send simple lean standards-compliant pages, and add all the bells-and-whistles to the page after it loads before it renders. Your human visitors won’t even notice, and your site becomes much friendlier to ‘bots (and visually impaired humans, and mobile devices, too).
  • I’d wager that Google drives Chrome marketshare during 2009, perhaps reaching 15% by 2010.
  • If better markup leads to better presentation in Google Chrome, might not the same hold for Google natural search results too?

If you like this post, consider subscribing to our RSS feed. You can also have new posts sent to you via email.


Related Posts

No Comments Yet

Your comment will be first!

Your Comment

Trackback

http://www.rimmkaufman.com/rkgblog/2009/01/02/chrome-destination-search-foiled-for-some-retailers/trackback/

Email Updates

Categories

Recent Comments

  • Curtis: Great study George! Along the same lines, I’m trying to find a study about which search engines have the highest conversion ratios....
  • registry cleaner: Thank you. I found your division of total time spent on priorities very useful!thanks again
  • George Michie: Ophir, thank you for your marvelous comment. I agree with you. Brand building is an important element of marketing, and a very...
  • Ophir: Hi George, Interesting post, very intereting. I find myself struggling with this issue day in day out and I mostly agreee with your...
  • Kevin Hillstrom: Oh, you are on to something! I can promise you that.
  • George Michie: I am eager to see what you’re thinking on the topic, Kevin. Some of our early early data scratchings suggest that we may be...
  • Kevin Hillstrom: This will teach me to not schedule posts … I have a half-dozen similar posts coming in the next week!!
  • TAMMY LANGWORTHY: I WISH TO CANCEL MY FUN FAMILY REWARDS AS I DON’T USE IT VERY MUCH. THANK YOU TAMMY LANGWORTHY
  • George Michie: Thanks Dave, it is a hot topic for good reason. I’ve had some interesting conversations with Kevin Hillstrom about his...
  • Mark Ballard: I certainly don’t mean to discourage advertising with Yahoo at all as there’s plenty of value to be had there. Healthy...
  • Nathan L.: I have thought about advertising on Yahoo! for some time, but news like this makes me want to just stick with Google. Good useful...
  • Dave 2.0: George, thanks for the callout on the survey. I’m VERY interested in the topic.
  • Nancy Maiewski: Another charge on my J.C.Penney statement for $9.95 for Family Fun Rewards! This isn’t the first time I have opened my bill...
  • George Michie: David, I’m sure Shop.org will make the results available to participants. We’re talking about presenting them at the...
  • David: It’s not clear from the survey whether participants get a free copy of the results. Do you know?

Blog Stats

  • Posts: 938
  • Words: 441,342
  • Comments: 2,755

Administration