Online search is the process of interactively searching for and retrieving requested information via a computer from databases that are online.^[1] Interactive searches became possible in the 1980s with the advent of faster databases and smart terminals.^[1] In contrast, computerized batch searching was prevalent in the 1960s and 1970s.^[1] Today, searches through web search engines constitute the majority of online searches.

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Online searches often supplement reference transactions.^{[citation needed][clarification needed]}