How do I set the content search web part to return no results by default?

Question

I have a content search web part that is optional to use. If a user finds an item through the filtered navigation I don't want them to see the content search web part. If they use the search box I want the web part to show the appropriate search results. I can get the web part to get the correct results from the correct source, but now it defaults to showing the items. Is there a way I can make the default show no items and then still run the correct search when a value is used in the search box?

Answer 1

One option that comes to my mind is using jQuery. On page load check if the search box has any values, based on that Show/Hide the results. Something like

jQuery(document).ready(function(){
    var searchValue = jQuery('#searchboxid').val();
    if(searchValue == null || searchValue == '' || searchValue == 'Search...') {
        jQuery('#webpartid').hide();
    }
});

You can find the searchboxid and webpartid using browser developer tools.

Edit

Handling key events in Search Box

jQuery('#ctl00_PlaceHolderSearchArea_SmallSearchInputBox1_csr_sbox').keyup(function(e){
    var code = e.which;
    if(code==32||code==13||code==188||code==186) {
        //If required you can check if the box is empty
        //Handle backspace etc.
        jQuery('#webpartid').show();
    }
});