Chapter

Human-Computer Interaction – INTERACT 2009

Volume 5726 of the series Lecture Notes in Computer Science pp 736-749

Fancy a Drink in Canary Wharf?: A User Study on Location-Based Mobile Search

  • Alia AminAffiliated withCentrum Wiskunde & Informatica
  • , Sian TownsendAffiliated withGoogle UK Ltd.
  • , Jacco van OssenbruggenAffiliated withCentrum Wiskunde & InformaticaVU University
  • , Lynda HardmanAffiliated withCentrum Wiskunde & InformaticaUniversity of Amsterdam

Abstract

We present a web-based diary study on location-based search behavior using a mobile search engine. To capture users’ location-based search behavior in a ubiquitous setting, we use a web-based diary tool that collects users’ detailed mobile search activity, their location and diary entries. This method enables us to capture users’ explicit behavior (query made), their implicit intention (motivation behind search) and the context (spatial, temporal, and social) in which the search was carried out. The results of the study show that people tend to stick closely to regularly used routes and regularly visited places, e.g. home and work. We also found that most location-based searches are conducted while in the presence of others. We summarize our findings and offer suggestions to improve location-based search by using features such as location-based service mash-ups.

Keywords

Location-based search local search mobile search diary study