Scaling search and discovery at
Findmypast

Project overview

Context

Findmypast operates multiple archival platforms, including Findmypast, the British Newspaper Archive (BNA), and The Social History Archive (TSHA). These platforms provide access to vast historical datasets, particularly newspapers, which are a key part of the user offering. As part of ongoing platform evolution — and in response to requirements tied to the British Library partnership — we identified an opportunity to rethink how users discover and explore newspaper content. Existing experiences varied across platforms, with inconsistencies in filtering, navigation and browsing. This created friction for users trying to explore large volumes of historical records.

Objective

Improve newspaper discovery by creating a more intuitive and scalable experience across platforms. This included:

• supporting both targeted search and exploratory browsing
• improving usability of complex filtering systems
• aligning discovery patterns across multiple brands

My role

Product Designer working across search, filtering and browse experiences. I contributed to research and analysis, UX strategy, interaction design and prototyping, and collaborated closely with product managers, researchers and engineers to define and deliver scalable solutions.

Design approach

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Research and analysis

Analysed user behaviour and usage patterns across platforms. Identified key challenges:

• users relied heavily on search but struggled to refine results
• filters were powerful but often underutilised or misunderstood
• exploratory behaviours (e.g. browsing by date or publication) were not well supported
• inconsistent patterns across platforms created confusion

Design and feature development

Reframed discovery as a connected system, rather than separate features. Designed solutions across two key areas:

• Newspaper Browse — enabling structured exploration by publication and date
• Filtering System — improving clarity, flexibility and usability of complex filters

Developed wireframes and prototypes to test and iterate on interaction patterns.

Scalable UX system

Created patterns that could be applied across:

• Findmypast
• British Newspaper Archive
• The Social History Archive

Balancing shared UX principles with platform-specific needs.

Iteration and validation

Worked in an iterative product cycle:

• prototyping and internal validation
• collaboration with engineering on feasibility
• refinement based on feedback and usage patterns

Product optimisation process

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• Improvements to the search experience were delivered through an iterative product cycle combining research, experimentation and data analysis.

Key achievements

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• Improved clarity and usability of complex filtering systems.
• Enabled both search-driven and exploratory discovery behaviours.
• Created a more consistent discovery experience across multiple platforms.
• Established a scalable foundation for future search and browse improvements.

Features introduced

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• Recently Viewed — personalised recall of previously viewed villas
• Mini slideshow — preview multiple villa images directly within results cards
• Left-hand filtering — improved discoverability and exploration
• Filter tags — visible active filters for transparency
• Guidance card — prompts encouraging shortlist creation.

Skills demonstrated

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• Product design for complex systems
• Search and discovery UX
• User research and behavioural analysis
• Interaction design for data-heavy interfaces
• Cross-platform design thinking
• Cross-functional collaboration

Key product insights

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• Users approached discovery in two distinct ways: targeted search and open-ended exploration.
• Filters were often underutilised due to complexity and lack of visibility.
• Browsing is critical in archival products where users may not have precise queries.
• Consistency across platforms reduces cognitive load and improves usability.