Design Concepts, Feb 2024

The future of browsing is collaborative

When all other browsers end the conversation after one query, what if Arc could continue the dialogue?

Brainstorming

Hi, Nate and hiring team! Arc Search opens a world of possibility, so I’ve drafted a few broad ideas for future initiatives. Of course, these ideas are based on my limited knowledge about The Browser Company’s goals, but I hope you’ll find value in them. Happy reading.

Ask more

Search results aren’t always perfect, and users have adapted their behavior. It’s normal to try more than one search term, even in an experience like Arc Search. We’ve learned to keep asking until we find what we need, but it can be hard to retrace your steps.

What if searching felt more like a conversation?

Conversational search

Let’s say a user is starting their search by looking for broad advice, like how to stand out as a product designer in the current job market. This person is a seasoned designer and, frankly, doesn’t really need to do this search. But, they have a curious mindset and just want to see what’s out there. You know, just as an example.

Example use case

What if that user could ask questions of Arc Search to iteratively improve the custom website created by it? In other words, what if you could ask more?

Ask more

Past searches

And, what if that user wants to return to a previous output? Could search conversations exist in an ongoing thread? How might custom websites be collapsed within the search experience for future reference?

Find more

Current browsing experiences assume the user knows exactly how to complete every task, but that isn’t always the case. What if you could collaborate with Arc to complete a task or a series of tasks?

Collaborative search

One user might want to buy a wedding present for her boss. There are a bunch of criteria she has in mind, and she’s not sure which ones are the most important. For example, some criteria might include: price, splitting the cost with coworkers, appropriateness, relevance, and ease of gifting remotely.

Example use case

User limitations

What if the user hasn’t considered every possible criteria? In other words, what if she didn’t know to ask the right questions? How might Arc provide a high-quality output by taking in a detailed prompt without burdening the user? And, can Arc anticipate the user’s needs?

What if Arc was smart enough to ask questions about the task? What if the user could collaborate with Arc to find the perfect idea for her task in mind?

Clarifying questions

Do more

Browsers and operating systems have everything saved — if you want, you can auto-fill passwords, credit card information, and personal details, which does afford a level of convenience. What if Arc used that information to complete tasks for you?

Collaborative task assistance

The custom websites generated by Arc Search already include summarized data, links, and embedded content, but the user still needs to navigate away in order to actually complete tasks online.

Quick tasks

Do more

Returning to the wedding present example — What if the logistical weight of managing a joint gift purchase wasn’t quite so heavy? An Arc Search result could include “Quick tasks,” i.e., custom generated automations with all the relevant details built in. All the user needs to do is swipe.