diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 8ab77f1..101b41b 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 
 ### Changed
 
+- An empty list and the reader with nothing picked say nothing, instead of "Nothing here yet — try Scan now." and "Pick an item to read it."; a search that finds nothing still says so.
 - In Settings, the API tokens sit in a box of their own.
 - A feed's settings are redesigned: downloading on its own is a switch with what depends on it beneath, how many is Default, Newest or All shown on a strip of the show's own episodes, words to pick or hide are chips, the feed's address is at the top with a copy button, and Save is always in reach. Its folder and Directory category are no longer in it.
 - The feed list's traces show each of its database queries, so it can be told where its time goes.
diff --git a/tests/ui/app.spec.js b/tests/ui/app.spec.js
index 39e4671..8a525dd 100644
--- a/tests/ui/app.spec.js
+++ b/tests/ui/app.spec.js
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@ test('the three panes are there and the item text lands in the bottom one', asyn
   await page.locator('.feed', { hasText: 'Test Show' }).click();
   await expect(page.locator('#list')).toBeVisible();
   await expect(page.locator('#grab')).toBeVisible();   // the draggable divider
-  await expect(page.locator('#detail')).toContainText('Pick an item');
+  await expect(page.locator('#detail .dt')).toHaveCount(0);  // nothing picked, nothing said
 
   await page.locator('.ep', { hasText: 'First Episode' }).click();
   await expect(page.locator('#detail .dt')).toHaveText('First Episode');
diff --git a/web/src/items.ts b/web/src/items.ts
index 64ca6ae..f6f8cd2 100644
--- a/web/src/items.ts
+++ b/web/src/items.ts
@@ -39,7 +39,8 @@ function renderEntries(){
   const pane=$('#list'), top=pane?pane.scrollTop:0;
   box.innerHTML='';
   if(!S.entries.length){
-    box.innerHTML=`<p class="empty">${S.q?'Nothing matches that search.':'Nothing here yet — try Scan now.'}</p>`;
+    // Said only for a search, where the words typed are why; an empty feed or tab speaks for itself.
+    if(S.q) box.innerHTML='<p class="empty">Nothing matches that search.</p>';
     return;
   }
   for(const e of S.entries) box.appendChild(epEl(e));
@@ -265,7 +266,7 @@ function showDetail(e){
   syncTools(e);
   if(!e){
     dropTurned(S.sel);
-    box.innerHTML='<p class="empty">Pick an item to read it.</p>';
+    box.innerHTML='';
     if(files) files.innerHTML='<p class="empty">No files</p>';
     return;
   }