A search engine may allow a user to add and modify geographic constraints interactively through the use of a map. In one example, the user enters a search query, and the search engine determines whether the query is amenable to a geographic constraint. If the query is amenable to a geographic constraint, then the search engine may provide an interactive map through which the user may specify a geographic boundary. The search engine may then uses the geographic boundary as a constraint on the search, and may return documents that relate to the geographic area indicated by the boundary. The user may zoom in or out on the region defined by the boundary, or may move the boundary, thereby interactively focusing, de-focusing, and modifying the search based on geography.