diff --git a/public/views/search-software-catalog.js b/public/views/search-software-catalog.js
index a9fe121..cb3bd01 100644
--- a/public/views/search-software-catalog.js
+++ b/public/views/search-software-catalog.js
@@ -134,7 +134,10 @@ modulejs.define('SearchSoftwareCatalog', ['jquery', 'NoosferoRoot', 'SoftwareCat
     var timer = null;
 
     $("#search-input").keyup(function() {
-        timer = setTimeout(update_page_by_text_filter, 400);
+        // Only start the search(with ajax) after 3 characters
+        if(this.value.length >= 3) {
+          timer = setTimeout(update_page_by_text_filter, 400);
+        }
     }).keydown(function() {
         clearTimeout(timer);
     });
diff --git a/views/search/_software_search_form.html.erb b/views/search/_software_search_form.html.erb
index 7c4f705..8647b88 100644
--- a/views/search/_software_search_form.html.erb
+++ b/views/search/_software_search_form.html.erb
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
 
     <div class="search-field">
       <span class="formfield">
-        <%= text_field_tag 'query', @query, :id => 'search-input', :size => 50, :placeholder=>_("Type words about the software_info you're looking for") %>
+        <%= text_field_tag 'query', @query, :id => 'search-input', :size => 50, :placeholder=>_("Type words about the software_info you're looking for (the search begins after 3 characters)") %>
       </span>
 
       <%= submit_button(:search, _('Filter')) %>
--
libgit2 0.21.2