diff --git a/bazarr/app/config.py b/bazarr/app/config.py
index b0ffbe6d3..23a9cb528 100644
--- a/bazarr/app/config.py
+++ b/bazarr/app/config.py
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ defaults = {
         'ignore_pgs_subs': 'False',
         'ignore_vobsub_subs': 'False',
         'ignore_ass_subs': 'False',
-        'adaptive_searching': 'False',
+        'adaptive_searching': 'True',
         'adaptive_searching_delay': '3w',
         'adaptive_searching_delta': '1w',
         'enabled_providers': '[]',
diff --git a/frontend/src/pages/Settings/Subtitles/index.tsx b/frontend/src/pages/Settings/Subtitles/index.tsx
index 67920e3fb..0d0337201 100644
--- a/frontend/src/pages/Settings/Subtitles/index.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/pages/Settings/Subtitles/index.tsx
@@ -215,8 +215,8 @@ const SettingsSubtitlesView: FunctionComponent = () => {
           settingKey="settings-general-adaptive_searching"
         ></Check>
         <Message>
-          When searching for subtitles, Bazarr will reduce search frequency to
-          limit call to providers.
+          When enabled, Bazarr will skip searching providers for subtitles which
+          have been searched recently.
         </Message>
         <CollapseBox settingKey="settings-general-adaptive_searching">
           <Selector
@@ -225,8 +225,9 @@ const SettingsSubtitlesView: FunctionComponent = () => {
             options={adaptiveSearchingDelayOption}
           ></Selector>
           <Message>
-            In order to reduce search frequency, how many weeks must Bazarr wait
-            after initial search.
+            The delay from the first search to adaptive searching applying.
+            During this window Bazarr will continue to search for subtitles,
+            even if they have been searched for recently.
           </Message>
           <Selector
             settingKey="settings-general-adaptive_searching_delta"
@@ -234,8 +235,9 @@ const SettingsSubtitlesView: FunctionComponent = () => {
             options={adaptiveSearchingDeltaOption}
           ></Selector>
           <Message>
-            How often should Bazarr search for subtitles when in adaptive search
-            mode.
+            The delay between Bazarr searching for subtitles in adaptive search
+            mode. If the media has been searched for more recently than this
+            value, Bazarr will skip searching for subtitles.
           </Message>
         </CollapseBox>
         <Check