How visual query tools can support users searching the Internet

Visual tools have been developed to help users formulate advanced Internet queries. Users can control the query coordination process at the level of the individual search terms or at the level of the search engines to be consulted. This work addresses the usability issue of the level at which visual query tools can provide the greatest benefit to users searching the Internet. MetaCrystal and its Category View and Cluster Bulls-Eye tools are used to visualize the degree of overlap between the results returned by different query formulations or search engines. It is shown that certain types of similarity relationships between ranked lists give rise to unique visual patterns in the Cluster Bulls-Eye. The MetaCrystal toolset is used to show why visual query tools may provide greater benefits to users who want to coordinate meta searches rather than individual search terms.