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.

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