The following wireframes demonstrate new search capabilities on Amazon, via use of hashtags. The benefit is to allow users to surface products that they may not have considered. Example, searching for ‘birthday party’ would surface the typical party hats, balloons, etc. However, searching for ‘#birthdayparty’ might surface roller-skates instead, because a user tagged that item, which was used at a birthday party they had for their child. In order to generate advertising revenue, the idea is that advertisers could sponsor the results of the hashtag search. This concept of searching on Amazon was accepted by the US Patent Office under P16705.
Phase 1 – Awareness
Users are shown the typical search results, but are introduced to the idea of trying hashtag search.
Phase 2 – Simple Search
Users, now familiar with the search functionality, search using hashtags.
Phase 3 – Advance Search Features
Users are presented with more information about items, directly from within the search results page.
