Search Goods

Economists use the SEC (Search, Experience, Credence) framework to describe how we evaluate products.

Search goods have attributes you can assess before you buy. Most products mix all three types: a car's styling is a search attribute, its ride an experience attribute, its crash safety a credence attribute.

Examples: Smartphones, laptops, clothing, cars.

Quality signals: specs, price, visible characteristics, product reviews.

Discussion prompts

• Before buying software, how do you assess its security quality?
• What signals would help you evaluate security before purchase?
• How does security factor into your team's software procurement process?