Enhancing the Search Functionality for Device Apps
Hello everyone,
I’ve been exploring the search functionality within the Homey Pro web interface and noticed some inconsistencies, particularly when searching for specific apps like “IKEA Tradfri,” “TP Link,” and “Philips Hue.” It seems the search engine requires precise keywords, which can be frustrating for users who might type variations or misspellings. For instance, searching for “TP Link” doesn’t yield results, but “TP-Link” does. This inconsistency might lead to confusion and frustration among users.
Suggestions for Improvement
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Enhanced Search Algorithm: I propose adding more flexibility to the search engine. If a search returns no results, the engine could automatically try variations of the query, such as removing dashes or spaces. For example, if “Philip Hue” doesn’t work, it could default to searching for “Philips Hue.”
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Tagging System: Introducing additional tags for apps could make the search more robust. This way, even if a user’s query doesn’t match exactly, relevant results can still appear.
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User-Friendly Feedback: Providing clear feedback when a search doesn’t find results could guide users to try alternative keywords or formats. For example, suggesting related terms or showing popular searches.
Why This Matters
A more forgiving search engine could enhance user experience and potentially increase app installations, as users are more likely to discover and utilize available apps. This could be a minor adjustment but with significant positive impact.
I appreciate the efforts the team is putting into the upcoming THREAD rollout and hope this suggestion can be considered for future updates.
Thanks for your attention!
Best regards,
[Your Name]