Nosuggesting

Nosuggesting is a term used to describe the practice or feature of suppressing or disabling suggestion mechanisms in information systems, such as search autocomplete, content recommendations, or prompt generation. It is not a formal standard but a descriptive label for modes where the system does not proactively offer hints or alternatives to user input.

In information retrieval and user experience design, suggestions are normally used to speed input, aid recall, and broaden exploration. Nosuggesting reverses these effects by turning off automatic recommendations, refinements, or real-time prompts. Implementation can be user-controlled, via settings that turn off autocomplete and related suggestions, or enforced by system defaults in specific contexts. It may also be part of privacy-preserving configurations that minimize data collection by avoiding inference from user input.

Common use cases include environments with sensitive data, high privacy requirements, or tasks where preemptive suggestions could disclose confidential information. It is also considered in studies of user autonomy and cognitive load, where eliminating suggestions can force users to articulate needs more explicitly.

Critically, nosuggesting trades off efficiency and serendipity for control and privacy. It can reduce inadvertent bias in recommendations and protect user information, but may slow task completion and limit discovery. Related concepts include autocomplete, content recommendations, and privacy-preserving user interfaces.