diff --git a/client_search.go b/client_search.go
index 434a9481..193f9aae 100644
--- a/client_search.go
+++ b/client_search.go
@@ -23,7 +23,9 @@ func (c clientSearch) Search(request SearchRequest) (*SearchResponse, error) {
 		request.Limit = 20
 	}
 
-	searchPostRequestParams["q"] = request.Query
+	if !request.PlaceholderSearch {
+		searchPostRequestParams["q"] = request.Query
+	}
 	if request.Filters != "" {
 		searchPostRequestParams["filters"] = request.Filters
 	}
diff --git a/client_search_test.go b/client_search_test.go
index c1b790e2..b0ffcac7 100644
--- a/client_search_test.go
+++ b/client_search_test.go
@@ -60,6 +60,36 @@ func TestClientSearch_Search(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("Basic search: wrong number of hits, should have 3, got %d\n", resp.NbHits)
 	}
 
+	// Test basic empty search
+
+	resp, err = client.Search(indexUID).Search(SearchRequest{
+		Query: "",
+	})
+
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	if len(resp.Hits) != 0 {
+		fmt.Println(resp)
+		t.Fatal("Basic search: empty search should return 0 results")
+	}
+
+	// Test basic placeholder search
+
+	resp, err = client.Search(indexUID).Search(SearchRequest{
+		PlaceholderSearch: true,
+	})
+
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	if len(resp.Hits) != len(booksTest) {
+		fmt.Println(resp)
+		t.Fatal("Basic placeholder search: should return placeholder results")
+	}
+
 	// Test basic search with limit
 
 	resp, err = client.Search(indexUID).Search(SearchRequest{
@@ -81,6 +111,22 @@ func TestClientSearch_Search(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("Basic search: should have found %s\n", booksTest[1].Title)
 	}
 
+	// Test basic placeholder search with limit
+
+	resp, err = client.Search(indexUID).Search(SearchRequest{
+		PlaceholderSearch: true,
+		Limit:             3,
+	})
+
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	if len(resp.Hits) != 3 {
+		fmt.Println(resp)
+		t.Fatal("Basic placeholder search with limit: should return 3 results")
+	}
+
 	// Test basic search with offset
 
 	resp, err = client.Search(indexUID).Search(SearchRequest{
diff --git a/types.go b/types.go
index 4cb084f7..fffd4102 100644
--- a/types.go
+++ b/types.go
@@ -126,6 +126,7 @@ type SearchRequest struct {
 	Matches               bool
 	FacetsDistribution    []string
 	FacetFilters          interface{}
+	PlaceholderSearch     bool
 }
 
 // SearchResponse is the response body for search method