[ PICTOGRAM CASE HISTORY ]
Material Symbols Map Search Icon (Outlined). Needs intervention.
Visible referent: map search. Intended message: The icon must communicate Map Search in a digital interface.. The report separates observed asset evidence, submitted context, and public evidence signals.
0.61
PCS
0.41
CLL
0.51
NTR
[ FEATURED PICTOGRAM ]
pictoclarity / material-symbols-map-search-outlined
Output - Material Symbols Map Search Icon (Outlined)
Assessing the communicative effectiveness of the Map Search icon
This reviewed catalog report estimates clarity for Map Search in default interface contexts. Scores are screening estimates and do not replace user testing.
0.61
PCS
PictoClarity Score
0.41
CLL
Convention Learning Load
0.51
NTR
Neurocognitive Transfer Risk
[ HOW THE CASE READS ]
From Input To Public Evidence.
The application stores structured evidence. The public page turns it into a readable pictogram case history.
01
Submitted Context
Framework output for the Material Symbols Map Search icon in the outlined style.
02
Primary Finding
Primary referent: map search.
03
Metric Reading
Implied function: The icon must communicate Map Search in a digital interface..
04
Public Recommendation
Conduct representative user testing across diverse user groups to validate semantic clarity and functional understanding before publication.
[ EVIDENCE SCREENING ]
What The Estimate Surfaces.
Semantic Transparency Score
Input
Expected
Estimated
0.52
Confusion Risk Index
Input
Possible
Estimated
0.59
Readability Test Score
Input
Visual
Estimated
0.75
PictoClarity Score
Input
Estimated
Estimated
0.61
Needs intervention 0.61
The pictogram carries meaningful clarity risk. The estimate applies to this pictogram, this meaning, and this public context.
Last Reviewed
Jun 24, 2026
[ SCORE SCALE ]
The Public Verdict Has A Range.
The level explains the estimated context. It is not a certification.
0.80-1.00
Strong clarity
The pictogram communicates well in this context.
Use it, then keep testing with real users.
0.65-0.79
Usable with support
The pictogram works with labels or context.
Pair it with text and monitor interpretation.
0.50-0.64
Needs intervention
Current report
The pictogram carries meaningful clarity risk.
Improve the symbol before relying on it.
0.00-0.49
Not reliable
The pictogram does not communicate enough alone.
Replace it or add strong alternative support.
[ CONVERGENCE PROFILE ]
Where Meaning Converges.
The profile compares visual evidence, semantic extraction, cultural recognition, time, and cognitive context. It describes estimated convergence, not universal validity.
Convergent meaning profile
The radar shows where meaning converges. It does not certify universal validity.
Area
0.25
Balance
0.70
Perceptual
0.75
Semantic
0.52
Functional
0.58
Cultural
0.31
Temporal
0.56
Neurocognitive
0.56
Context Independence
0.56
Collective Resonance
0.24
Weakest Axis
Collective Resonance
How strongly public evidence supports shared recognition and persistence.
Strongest Axis
Perceptual Convergence
How strongly visual form survives size, blur, contrast, and detail loss.
| Axis | Score | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Perceptual Convergence | 0.75 | How strongly visual form survives size, blur, contrast, and detail loss. |
| Semantic Convergence | 0.52 | How strongly extracted meaning converges on one interpretation. |
| Functional Convergence | 0.58 | How strongly the symbol maps to the intended function. |
| Cultural Convergence | 0.31 | How strongly recognition holds across cultural evidence and assumptions. |
| Temporal Convergence | 0.56 | How strongly meaning persists over time without semantic decay. |
| Neurocognitive Convergence | 0.56 | How strongly the symbol follows AAC pictogram reading: transparent referent, concrete action, low convention load, and support. |
| Context Independence | 0.56 | How strongly meaning survives without external labels or placement cues. |
| Collective Resonance | 0.24 | How strongly public evidence supports shared recognition and persistence. |
Evidence Notes.
8 Findings Published
Evidence
Primary referent: map search.
Evidence
Implied function: The icon must communicate Map Search in a digital interface..
Evidence
Metaphor type: functional.
Evidence
The icon's primary referent is 'map search,' combining a map outline with a magnifying glass overlay to communicate location search functionality in digital interfaces.
Evidence
Visual metrics indicate strong perceptual robustness (score 0.75), with good resilience to size, blur, and contrast variations, supporting usability across platforms and display conditions.
Evidence
Semantic convergence is moderate (0.52), reflecting some ambiguity and potential confusion with similar icons such as general search, location pin, zoom, or filter icons, especially when labels or contextual cues are weak.
Evidence
Functional convergence (0.58) shows the icon generally maps well to the intended map search function but requires user familiarity with the metaphor.
Evidence
Cultural convergence is low (0.31), indicating limited broad cultural recognition and evidence supporting shared understanding, which may affect users with diverse backgrounds or less exposure to digital map interfaces.
[ TRANSFER / METRIC CHART ]
Public evidence trend
The chart shows public evidence buckets by evidence year. Cohort breakpoints appear only when an aging referent is active.
Public evidence trend
Evidence year: 2026
Evaluation
Reference point.
X axis: Evidence year
| Evidence year | Semantic Transparency | Cultural Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 0.75 | 0.74 |
| 1997 | 0.75 | 0.73 |
| 1998 | 0.75 | 0.73 |
| 1999 | 0.76 | 0.74 |
| 2000 | 0.76 | 0.74 |
| 2001 | 0.76 | 0.74 |
| 2002 | 0.75 | 0.73 |
| 2003 | 0.76 | 0.75 |
| 2004 | 0.76 | 0.74 |
| 2005 | 0.76 | 0.75 |
| 2006 | 0.76 | 0.75 |
| 2007 | 0.76 | 0.75 |
| 2008 | 0.77 | 0.75 |
| 2009 | 0.77 | 0.75 |
| 2010 | 0.77 | 0.75 |
| 2011 | 0.78 | 0.75 |
| 2012 | 0.77 | 0.75 |
| 2013 | 0.77 | 0.75 |
| 2014 | 0.78 | 0.76 |
| 2015 | 0.78 | 0.75 |
| 2016 | 0.78 | 0.76 |
| 2017 | 0.77 | 0.75 |
| 2018 | 0.77 | 0.76 |
| 2019 | 0.78 | 0.76 |
| 2020 | 0.77 | 0.75 |
| 2021 | 0.78 | 0.76 |
| 2022 | 0.78 | 0.76 |
| 2023 | 0.28 | 0.24 |
| 2024 | 0.28 | 0.24 |
| 2025 | 0.28 | 0.24 |
| 2026 | 0.28 | 0.24 |
asset source
Material Symbols map_search SVG
Material Symbols by Google
Unofficial clarity analysis. PictoClarity is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Google. Material Symbols are provided by Google under their published license.
Open sourcehistorical evidence
Google Books Ngram annual buckets: map search
Google Books Ngram / 1996-2026
Annual extraction returned 15308934 records across 27 active years.
Open sourcehistorical evidence
Google Books Ngram annual buckets: magnifying glass
Google Books Ngram / 1996-2026
Annual extraction returned 20043287 records across 27 active years.
Open sourcehistorical evidence
Google Books Ngram annual buckets: symbolic
Google Books Ngram / 1996-2026
Annual extraction returned 20696972 records across 27 active years.
Open source[ TECHNICAL SCORECARD ]
The Metrics Behind The Case.
PCS
0.61
PictoClarity Score
STS
0.52
Semantic Transparency Score
CRI
0.59
Confusion Risk Index
VRS
0.72
Visual Readability Score
PCH
1.00
Perceptual Cohesion
RTS
0.75
Readability Test Score
SRS
0.70
Scale Robustness Score
BRS
0.84
Blur Robustness Score
TCS
0.78
Target Contrast Stability
SDS
0.74
Stroke Durability Score
SFS
0.65
Silhouette Fidelity Score
NDS
1.00
Negative Detail Score
BBS
0.00
Bounding Box Balance
CPS
1.00
Compression Preservation
PDS
1.00
Pixel Density Suitability
ORS
0.65
Orientation Robustness
CAS
0.60
Color Accessibility Score
RRS
0.39
Referent Recognition Score
FAS
0.57
Functional Association Score
SOS
0.12
Semantic Obsolescence Score
CSS
0.01
Cultural Saturation Score
ERS
0.09
Evidence Reliability Score
MTS
0.28
Metaphor Transfer Score
TDS
0.18
Temporal Decay Score
GDS
0.17
Generational Divide Score
CLL
0.41
Convention Learning Load
NTR
0.51
Neurocognitive Transfer Risk
SPS
0.31
Symbol Persistence Score
OBS
0.19
Obsolescence Signal
CTS
0.00
Cohort Transfer Slope
[ RECOMMENDED NEXT ACTIONS ]
What Improves This Pictogram.
Action
Conduct representative user testing across diverse user groups to validate semantic clarity and functional understanding before publication.
Action
Maintain visible text labels or tooltips alongside the icon in interfaces until semantic transparency and user familiarity are empirically confirmed.
Action
Enhance contextual cues such as placement and labeling to reduce confusion with neighboring interface actions like general search or zoom icons.
Action
Consider cultural adaptation or alternative symbols for audiences with lower recognition of the map search metaphor to improve inclusivity.
Action
Monitor evolving usage trends and update icon design or support materials to mitigate neurocognitive transfer risks and convention learning load over time.
[ Private testing / Admin invite ]
Request an invite for pictogram clarity screening.
Access stays invite-only during private testing.
Requests feed the admin invite queue.
Useful context helps select early pilots.