The present technology provides an improved search interface that provides suggested search terms in a variety of categories. The suggested search terms are first presented in an “empty search state” i.e., before the user has entered any search terms. And the suggested search terms are repeatedly refined as the user provides inputs into the search interface until a number of search results are few enough that the interface provides search results. The present technology also provides improved search suggestions. In particular, the present technology utilizes predictive algorithms including machine learning algorithms to intelligently provide suggested search terms in the variety of categories.