Add search autocomplete and search history #7461
Description
Describe the problem to be solved
Search in PeerTube currently works as a plain input field without suggestions or history.
Users need to fully type and correctly spell search terms every time. This makes discovery harder, increases friction, and does not help with typos or repeated searches. Modern platforms typically provide suggestions while typing and show recent searches, which improves usability significantly.
For larger instances especially, the current search feels minimal compared to common web standards.
Describe the solution you would like
Add search autocomplete / suggestions similar to what users are familiar with from platforms like Google or YouTube.
When typing in the search bar, PeerTube could:
- Suggest matching video titles, channels, or common search phrases
- Prefer local instance content in suggestions
- Optionally include federated results (configurable)
Also, show “Recent searches” to the current user:
- Stored locally in the browser by default (simple and privacy-friendly)
- Clearable with a single click
- Optional server-side history for authenticated users (opt-in)
Benefits:
- Better accessibility (reduced typing effort)
- Improved content discovery
- Better typo recovery
- More modern search UX
- Increased engagement without changing core federation logic
Together, autocomplete + recent-search suggestions make PeerTube’s search feel more modern, accessible, and user-friendly, without changing core philosophy or federation model.