diff --git a/frontend/src/components/layout/Topbar.tsx b/frontend/src/components/layout/Topbar.tsx
index 65fd02d8..4666e7b8 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/layout/Topbar.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/layout/Topbar.tsx
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ export function Topbar({ onMenu }: { onMenu: () => void }) {
         />
         <input
           type="search"
-          placeholder="Search developers, projects, skills…"
+          placeholder="Search for developers, projects, or skills..."
           className="w-full rounded-md border border-border bg-surface py-[7px] pl-9 pr-3 text-[13px] text-foreground placeholder:text-muted-foreground outline-none transition-all focus:border-primary focus:ring-2 focus:ring-primary/20"
         />
       </div>
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/_app.builders.tsx b/frontend/src/routes/_app.builders.tsx
index 8fdec8a2..3d937cc3 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/_app.builders.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/_app.builders.tsx
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ function BuildersPage() {
           <input
             value={q}
             onChange={(e) => setQ(e.target.value)}
-            placeholder="Search by name or skill…"
+            placeholder="Search by builder name or skill..."
             className="w-full rounded-md border border-border bg-surface py-[7px] pl-9 pr-3 text-[13px] outline-none focus:border-primary focus:ring-2 focus:ring-primary/20"
           />
         </div>
diff --git a/frontend/src/routes/_app.search.tsx b/frontend/src/routes/_app.search.tsx
index b444de70..0beb0626 100644
--- a/frontend/src/routes/_app.search.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/routes/_app.search.tsx
@@ -30,19 +30,16 @@ function SearchPage() {
   return (
     <div className="space-y-4">
       <div className="relative">
-  <Search
-    size={16}
-    className="absolute left-3 top-1/2 -translate-y-1/2 text-muted-foreground"
-  />
-
-  <input
-    value={q}
-    onChange={(e) => setQ(e.target.value)}
-    placeholder="Search DevLink…"
-    className="w-full rounded-md border border-border bg-surface py-2.5 pl-10 pr-10 text-[14px] outline-none focus:border-primary focus:ring-2 focus:ring-primary/20"
-    autoFocus
-  />
-
+        <Search size={16} className="absolute left-3 top-1/2 -translate-y-1/2 text-muted-foreground" />
+        <input
+          value={q}
+          onChange={(e) => setQ(e.target.value)}
+          placeholder="Search DevLink for developers, projects, or skills..."
+          className="w-full rounded-md border border-border bg-surface py-2.5 pl-10 pr-3 text-[14px] outline-none focus:border-primary focus:ring-2 focus:ring-primary/20"
+          autoFocus
+        />
+      </div>
+      
   {q && (
     <button
       type="button"