Method and apparatus for improved searching of database content

An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and stored computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least:

• receive text input as search text from a user of said apparatus;
• search for content items of at least one content type matching said search text, resulting in a list containing zero or more matching content items;
• direct presentment of said list of matching content items on a display operably connected to said apparatus, when said list of matching content items contains at least a threshold number of content items;
• directing presentment of at least one option to search at least one of at least two databases available over a network using said search text on said display, when said list of matching content items comprises less than said threshold number of content items;
• and
• based on selection of the at least one option, searching the at least one of the at least two databases associated with the at least one option using search information in addition to said search text, wherein the search information is related to a type of data stored in the at least one of the at least two databases associated with the at least one option;
• wherein the at least one memory and stored computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to repeat said receiving text input, searching for content items, directing presentment of said list and directing presentment of at least one option to search a database until either an item of said list of matching content items is selected or an option of said at least one option is selected.

A computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program instructions stored therein, the computer-readable program instructions comprising:

• program instructions configured for directing receipt of text input as search text from a user;
• program instructions configured for searching for content items of at least one content type matching said search text, resulting in a list containing zero or more matching content items;
• program instructions configured for directing presentment of said list of matching content items on a display when said list of matching content items contains at least a threshold number of content items;
• program instructions configured for directing presentment of at least one option to search at least one of at least two databases available over a network using said search text on said display, when said list of matching content items comprises less than said threshold number of content items;
• and
• program instructions configured for, based on selection of the at least one option, searching the at least one of the at least two databases associated with the at least one option using search information in addition to said search text, wherein the search information is related to a type of data stored in the at least one of the at least two databases associated with the at least one option;
• wherein the at least one memory and stored computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to repeat said receiving text input, searching for content items, directing presentment of said list and directing presentment of at least one option to search a database until either an item of said list of matching content items is selected or an option of said at least one option is selected.