22. UI Layout & Result Display
The way you display search results matters as much as the ranking algorithm.
Why Layout Matters
A perfectly ranked result that users can't parse is useless. Nielsen Norman Group research shows:
- Users scan in an F-pattern, not reading linearly
- The first 3 results get 75% of clicks
- Visual hierarchy affects perceived quality
Design Patterns
- List View: Information-dense, best for text-heavy results
- Card View: Visual, great for products/media
- Grid View: Best for images, equal-weight items
Mobile Considerations
Mobile accounts for 60%+ of searches. Design must accommodate:
- Smaller screens (prioritize above-the-fold)
- Touch targets (min 44x44px)
- Thumb-reachable actions