101 UX Principles

Chapter #11. Search Should be a Text Field with a Button Labeled "Search"

Search has, over the years, been over-designed. One common anti-pattern is hiding search behind a control to activate it. Slowing the user down and adding an extra step might remove an input field from your view but at the expense of familiarity.

If you're offering your users a search function, then show them a text field with a search button. If you're using an icon, then use a "magnifying glass" icon. This is the archetype and using anything else makes no sense anymore.

The "gold standard"

On a mobile phone screen, there may not be enough space to always show the search field, ...