A search engine user interface and method are presented for providing search syntax help. The method comprises: presenting a search engine user interface with a selectable edit box for formulating a search request; formulating a search engine search request by selecting the UI edit box; and, in response to the search request, automatically supplying search syntax help in the form of a popup window. Automatically supplying search syntax help includes displaying search syntax characters supported by the search engine, where the search syntax characters are selected from the group including connectors and operators. Further, the help can be the displaying of search syntax character definitions, frequently-used search syntax characters, a list of every supported search syntax character, or examples in which the search syntax characters are used. The method further comprises: following the formulating of a search engine search request, submitting the search request to the search engine; in response to submitting the search request, automatically closing the search syntax help popup window; and, displaying the results of the search. In some aspects, the method comprises: editing the search engine search request; and, in response to the editing the search request, automatically supplying search syntax help.