Collaborative use of individual search histories

Interaction history tools record interactions between users and systems, allowing users to annotate, edit, and replay their activities. Search history tools, a class of interaction history recorders, preserve search, browse, and other information-seeking steps. These tools include web browser histories and history lists in online full-text databases. Although search history tools were developed to support individuals in their information seeking, individuals often share their histories with one another collaboratively. This paper examines such sharing behaviors in two field studies of knowledge workers who routinely shared their individual search histories with their colleagues. While this practice is widespread, it is not supported by the design of contemporary interaction history tools. The results of the field research highlight core dimensions of this activity and inform considerations for the next generation of collaboration-sensitive interaction history tools.