1. A method comprising: establishing, from a merchant site, communication between the merchant site and a generalized search entity via a communication interface, wherein the generalized search entity: presents an input field on user interface of the generalized search entity, wherein the generalized search entity processes data using a generalized search engine that indexes and searches both merchant sites and non-merchant sites; receives a text-based query in the input field; correlates the text-based query against a product database of products for sale from merchants to yield a correlation; determines, via a processor and based at least in part on the correlation, that the text-based query is associated with one of a search intent and a purchase intent to yield a determination; and when the determination indicates the search intent: presents a search result comprising a non-merchant site; receives a search interaction associated with the non-merchant site; and transitions, based on the search interaction, to the non-merchant site; and when the determination indicates the purchase intent: presents a purchase-related search result comprising a buy option associated with the text-based query, wherein the purchase-related search result is configured such that when a user interacts with the purchase-related search result and confirms a purchase via interacting with the buy option, the generalized search entity initiates processing of the purchase of an item; and receives an interaction from the user associated with the purchase-related search result.
1. A method comprising: establishing, from a merchant site, communication between the merchant site and a generalized search entity via a communication interface, wherein the generalized search entity: presents an input field on user interface of the generalized search entity, wherein the generalized search entity processes data using a generalized search engine that indexes and searches both merchant sites and non-merchant sites; receives a text-based query in the input field; correlates the text-based query against a product database of products for sale from merchants to yield a correlation; determines, via a processor and based at least in part on the correlation, that the text-based query is associated with one of a search intent and a purchase intent to yield a determination; and when the determination indicates the search intent: presents a search result comprising a non-merchant site; receives a search interaction associated with the non-merchant site; and transitions, based on the search interaction, to the non-merchant site; and when the determination indicates the purchase intent: presents a purchase-related search result comprising a buy option associated with the text-based query, wherein the purchase-related search result is configured such that when a user interacts with the purchase-related search result and confirms a purchase via interacting with the buy option, the generalized search entity initiates processing of the purchase of an item; and receives an interaction from the user associated with the purchase-related search result. 3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the user has a pre-existing account storing preferences governing how one of the search result, the purchase-related search result and the buy option is presented.