diff --git a/activities/views/search.py b/activities/views/search.py
index 4719f640..b5e55863 100644
--- a/activities/views/search.py
+++ b/activities/views/search.py
@@ -13,7 +13,8 @@ class Search(FormView):
 
     class form_class(forms.Form):
         query = forms.CharField(
-            help_text="Search for a user by @username@domain or hashtag by #tagname"
+            help_text="Search for a user by @username@domain or hashtag by #tagname",
+            widget=forms.TextInput(attrs={"type": "search", "autofocus": "autofocus"}),
         )
 
     def search_identities(self, query: str):
diff --git a/templates/activities/search.html b/templates/activities/search.html
index 51377404..90816323 100644
--- a/templates/activities/search.html
+++ b/templates/activities/search.html
@@ -26,4 +26,10 @@ <h2>Hashtags</h2>
         {% endfor %}
         </section>
     {% endif %}
+    {% if not results.identities and not results.hashtags %}
+        <h2>No results (yet)</h2>
+        <p>No results found — not yet, at least. The search swamphens are still
+           rooting around behind the scenes and may yet turn something up. If you try your search
+           again after a moment, you might get lucky!</p>
+    {% endif %}
 {% endblock %}