naver This is the First Click (opens in new tab)
This session from NAVER ENGINEERING DAY 2025 explores the implementation of visual data tools to interpret complex user behavior within Naver’s Integrated Search. By transforming raw quantitative click logs into intuitive heatmaps and histograms, the development team provides a clearer understanding of how users navigate and consume content. This approach serves as a critical bridge for stakeholders to find actionable evidence for service improvements that are often obscured by traditional data analysis. ### Visualizing User Intent through Heatmaps and Histograms * Click logs from Naver Integrated Search are converted into heatmaps to pinpoint exactly where users are focusing their attention and making their "first clicks." * Histograms are utilized alongside heatmaps to provide a temporal and frequency-based perspective on user interactions, making it easier to identify patterns in data consumption. * The visualization system aims to help developers and designers who struggle with raw quantitative data to gain an immediate, intuitive grasp of user experience (UX) performance. ### Handling Dynamic Data in Real-Time Search Services * The system is designed to respond to the "real-time evolution" of Naver Search, where content and UI layouts change frequently based on trends and algorithms. * The FE Infrastructure team shared technical know-how on collecting and processing client-side logs to ensure data accuracy even as the search interface evolves. * Significant trial and error were involved in developing a visualization framework that remains consistent and reliable across diverse search result types and user devices. ### Practical Application for Service Improvement * By using heatmaps as a primary diagnostic tool, teams can move beyond speculative design and base UI/UX updates on concrete visual evidence of user friction or engagement. * The technology allows for the identification of "dead zones" or overlooked features that may require repositioning or removal to streamline the search experience. * Integrating these visual tools into the development workflow enables faster feedback loops between data analysis and front-end implementation. For organizations managing high-traffic web platforms, moving from raw data tables to visual behavior mapping is essential for understanding the nuance of user interaction. Implementing a robust heatmap and histogram system allows teams to validate product hypotheses quickly and ensures that service updates are driven by actual user behavior rather than just aggregate metrics.