{"ID":2823039,"CreatedAt":"2026-06-01T04:54:23.091178241Z","UpdatedAt":"2026-06-01T04:54:23.091178241Z","DeletedAt":null,"paper_url":"https://arxiv.org/abs/2601.01094","arxiv_id":"2601.01094","title":"SoulSeek: Exploring the Use of Social Cues in LLM-based Information Seeking","abstract":"Social cues, which convey others' presence, behaviors, or identities, play a crucial role in human information seeking by helping individuals judge relevance and trustworthiness. However, existing LLM-based search systems primarily rely on semantic features, creating a misalignment with the socialized cognition underlying natural information seeking. To address this gap, we explore how the integration of social cues into LLM-based search influences users' perceptions, experiences, and behaviors. Focusing on social media platforms that are beginning to adopt LLM-based search, we integrate design workshops, the implementation of the prototype system (SoulSeek), a between-subjects study, and mixed-method analyses to examine both outcome- and process-level findings. The workshop informs the prototype's cue-integrated design. The study shows that social cues improve perceived outcomes and experiences, promote reflective information behaviors, and reveal limits of current LLM-based search. We propose design implications emphasizing better social-knowledge understanding, personalized cue settings, and controllable interactions.","short_abstract":"Social cues, which convey others' presence, behaviors, or identities, play a crucial role in human information seeking by helping individuals judge relevance and trustworthiness. However, existing LLM-based search systems primarily rely on semantic features, creating a misalignment with the socialized cognition underly...","url_abs":"https://arxiv.org/abs/2601.01094","url_pdf":"https://arxiv.org/pdf/2601.01094v1","authors":"[\"Yubo Shu\",\"Peng Zhang\",\"Meng Wu\",\"Yan Chen\",\"Haoxuan Zhou\",\"Guanming Liu\",\"Yu Zhang\",\"Liuxin Zhang\",\"Qianying Wang\",\"Tun Lu\",\"Ning Gu\"]","published":"2026-01-03T07:09:10Z","proceeding":"cs.HC","tasks":"[\"cs.HC\",\"cs.AI\",\"cs.IR\"]","methods":"[\"Large Language Model\"]","has_code":false}