One embodiment of the present invention provides a collaborative-search
system that facilitates performing collaborative searches. During
operation, the collaborative-search system receives a first search
request from a first user. The collaborative-search system then
identifies a group of users who sent search requests that were similar to
the first search request. Next, the collaborative-search system sends a
notification to the first user that identifies the group of users that
sent search requests that were similar to the first search request. If
the collaborative-search system receives a request from the first user to
view a search history for the group of users, the collaborative-search
system sends the search history to the first user.