Social entity previews in query formulation

Computer storage media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon that, when executed by one or more computing devices, cause the one or more computing devices to produce a graphical user interface (GUI) for intent expression for providing social entity previews during query formulation, the GUI comprising:

• an interaction display area for receiving, from a user, a search interaction corresponding to a search;
• an entity intent display area that displays an entity intent of the search interaction, the entity intent corresponding to a social entity;
• and
• a social preview display area that displays, without executing the search, a social entity preview for the social entity, the social entity preview comprising metadata corresponding to the social entity and associated with social updates from a plurality of social networks associated with the social entity, the social updates aggregated for the social entity.

A system for providing social entity previews during query formulation comprising:

• one or more processors coupled to a computer storage medium, the computer storage medium having stored thereon a plurality of computer software components executable by the processor, the computer software components comprising:
• an interaction component that receives a search interaction from a user, the search interaction comprising an interaction with a device or application or a learned intent based on a previous interaction;
• an intent component that identifies an entity intent of the search interaction, the entity intent corresponding to a social entity;
• a social update component that retrieves social updates from a plurality of social networks associated with the social entity;
• an aggregation component that aggregates the social updates for the social entity;
• and
• a social entity preview component that provides a social entity preview for the social entity comprising metadata corresponding to the social entity and associated with the social updates or social networks.