7. A computer system comprising: an instant messaging (IM) server operable for: receiving an instant message from a first instant messaging (IM) client, wherein the instant message includes an inline search query entered into a first instant messaging window, wherein the IM server recognizes the instant message as including the inline search query by identifying a search trigger in the instant message; communicating the search query received from the first IM client to a second IM client for display inline in a second instant messaging window on the second IM client, and causing a search based on the search query, the search returning search results, wherein at least one of the search results is communicated to the first IM client for display inline in the first instant messaging window and to the second IM client for display inline in the second instant messaging window.
8. The computer system according to claim 7 , wherein the search trigger comprises the character string “s:”.