UX Design
App
2021
Context
GoodReads is one of the most widely used platforms for book discovery, but its core search feature had long been a source of frustration for users. At the time of this project, the search bar returned broad and often irrelevant results. Readers who wanted to find books by specific criteria such as author, genre, or publication year had to sift through endless pages of results, often giving up before finding what they wanted.
The Problem
The lack of precision in search created a poor user experience. Instead of feeling empowered to explore, users described the process as tedious and time-consuming. For a platform whose value lies in helping people discover and engage with books, the existing search was a significant barrier. The central issue was that the system forced users into one generic entry point, regardless of whether they were looking for a specific title, browsing by interest, or searching for something newly released.
Paper Prototype
Research and Process
I conducted user interviews and analyzed feedback to understand how people interacted with search on GoodReads. Many users admitted they preferred to leave the platform and use Google instead, which allowed them to enter specific variables like “fantasy novels 2020 female author” and get accurate results more quickly. This behavior highlighted a gap between user expectations and the functionality GoodReads offered.
The research made it clear that users wanted a more guided search process that reflected their natural decision-making. Rather than forcing them into a single vague entry point, the platform needed to give them the tools to filter and refine. This insight informed the design direction, which emphasized flexibility, clarity, and speed.
Advanced Search Mid Fidelity Prototype
Solution
Results and Impact
I redesigned the search function to allow users to input multiple variables directly. Instead of one generic bar, the new interface included separate fields where users could specify title, author, genre, publication date, and keywords. These elements worked together to narrow results quickly and accurately. The interface was kept minimal and intuitive, so that even users unfamiliar with advanced filtering could see immediate benefits. By surfacing the most relevant matches first and giving users control over how they searched, the system transformed from a frustrating bottleneck into a powerful discovery tool.
Search Results Screen with Book Sampling Feature
In testing, users reported spending far less time browsing through irrelevant results. They described the experience as faster, easier, and more enjoyable, which aligned with the platform’s mission of encouraging exploration. By making one core function more reliable, GoodReads could strengthen engagement across the site. Improved search not only kept readers on the platform longer but also created more opportunities for them to interact with book reviews, ratings, and recommendations.
Book Review Screen with Sort Function
Key Learning
This project highlighted the importance of focusing on foundational features. It is tempting to imagine large-scale redesigns, but sometimes the biggest impact comes from fixing the basics. In this case, a more precise and flexible search function directly addressed user pain points and created a stronger base for the rest of the platform’s features to deliver value.