Methods, systems, and computer storage media for processing search queries using item-based search refinement are provided. In response to a search query, search result items are displayed on a search interface. The search result items each have an associated item-specific control having embedded selectable hierarchical category classifications. Upon selecting an item-specific control, the item-specific control is displayed. A selection of an embedded hierarchical category classification is received to cause execution of an embedded-item search operation. An embedded-item search operation is executed to identify a subset of the items using the selected hierarchical category classification. The associated item-specific control further has embedded selectable attributes. A selection of an embedded attribute is further received to cause execution of the embedded-item search operation. The embedded-item search operation is executed to identify a subset of the items using the selected hierarchical category classification and the selected attribute.