8 Keys to Findability mentions in closing:
The average number of search terms is about 1.7 words, which is not a lot when searching across millions of documents. Therefore, a conversation type of experience where users can get feedback from the results and refine their search makes for the most effective search results.
I have a different take on that factoid.
The average user needs only 1.7 words to identify a subject of interest to them.
Why the gap between 1.7 words and the number of words required for “effective search results?”
Why ask?
Returning millions of “hits” is on 1.7 words is meaningless.
Returning the ten most relevant “hits” on 1.7 words is a G***** killer.