Search pages can frustrate visitors when a typo or narrow query produces a blank screen. Provide a clear empty-state message, suggest a broader term, link to the main categories, or show a contact/help route. Avoid showing a generic error without a way back. Check that pagination and filters preserve the query and that search results do not repeat the same irrelevant items.
Decide whether internal search result pages should be indexed. Many sites do not need each query URL in search results, especially when pages are thin or numerous. Configure indexing intentionally and check canonical or noindex behavior with your site tools. Do not assume that every search page needs to be crawled or that blocking them resolves unrelated content issues.
Google’s AdSense readiness guidance emphasizes good experience and clear navigation. Its approval page notes that pages should let visitors find what they seek and that some navigation patterns can be problematic. Use this to focus on visitor tasks, not simply the technical existence of a search box.
Example: A directory search for “Kansas truck parking” returns no results. Offer nearby categories or let the visitor remove a filter; do not pretend the search found verified locations. If the site has no relevant data, say so accurately.
Run SiteReadyScore on representative search and empty-result URLs to see whether they are reachable and structured as expected. Then test queries that return many results, one result, and none. The scan will not judge whether search results are relevant to the user’s intent.