diff --git a/pkg/services/dashboards/dashboard.go b/pkg/services/dashboards/dashboard.go
index 81f9d1db611..e90f7a04759 100644
--- a/pkg/services/dashboards/dashboard.go
+++ b/pkg/services/dashboards/dashboard.go
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import (
 	alertmodels "github.com/grafana/grafana/pkg/services/alerting/models"
 	"github.com/grafana/grafana/pkg/services/folder"
 	"github.com/grafana/grafana/pkg/services/quota"
+	"github.com/grafana/grafana/pkg/services/search/model"
 )
 
 // DashboardService is a service for operating on dashboards.
@@ -25,7 +26,7 @@ type DashboardService interface {
 	ImportDashboard(ctx context.Context, dto *SaveDashboardDTO) (*Dashboard, error)
 	MakeUserAdmin(ctx context.Context, orgID int64, userID, dashboardID int64, setViewAndEditPermissions bool) error
 	SaveDashboard(ctx context.Context, dto *SaveDashboardDTO, allowUiUpdate bool) (*Dashboard, error)
-	SearchDashboards(ctx context.Context, query *FindPersistedDashboardsQuery) error
+	SearchDashboards(ctx context.Context, query *FindPersistedDashboardsQuery) (model.HitList, error)
 	UpdateDashboardACL(ctx context.Context, uid int64, items []*DashboardACL) error
 	DeleteACLByUser(ctx context.Context, userID int64) error
 	CountDashboardsInFolder(ctx context.Context, query *CountDashboardsInFolderQuery) (int64, error)
diff --git a/pkg/services/dashboards/dashboard_service_mock.go b/pkg/services/dashboards/dashboard_service_mock.go
index 3da367b22be..0c374caa14a 100644
--- a/pkg/services/dashboards/dashboard_service_mock.go
+++ b/pkg/services/dashboards/dashboard_service_mock.go
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@ import (
 
 	folder "github.com/grafana/grafana/pkg/services/folder"
 	mock "github.com/stretchr/testify/mock"
+
+	model "github.com/grafana/grafana/pkg/services/search/model"
 )
 
 // FakeDashboardService is an autogenerated mock type for the DashboardService type
@@ -327,17 +329,26 @@ func (_m *FakeDashboardService) SaveDashboard(ctx context.Context, dto *SaveDash
 }
 
 // SearchDashboards provides a mock function with given fields: ctx, query
-func (_m *FakeDashboardService) SearchDashboards(ctx context.Context, query *FindPersistedDashboardsQuery) error {
+func (_m *FakeDashboardService) SearchDashboards(ctx context.Context, query *FindPersistedDashboardsQuery) (model.HitList, error) {
 	ret := _m.Called(ctx, query)
 
-	var r0 error
-	if rf, ok := ret.Get(0).(func(context.Context, *FindPersistedDashboardsQuery) error); ok {
+	var r0 model.HitList
+	if rf, ok := ret.Get(0).(func(context.Context, *FindPersistedDashboardsQuery) model.HitList); ok {
 		r0 = rf(ctx, query)
 	} else {
-		r0 = ret.Error(0)
+		if ret.Get(0) != nil {
+			r0 = ret.Get(0).(model.HitList)
+		}
 	}
 
-	return r0
+	var r1 error
+	if rf, ok := ret.Get(1).(func(context.Context, *FindPersistedDashboardsQuery) error); ok {
+		r1 = rf(ctx, query)
+	} else {
+		r1 = ret.Error(1)
+	}
+
+	return r0, r1
 }
 
 // UpdateDashboardACL provides a mock function with given fields: ctx, uid, items
diff --git a/pkg/services/dashboards/database/database_folder_test.go b/pkg/services/dashboards/database/database_folder_test.go
index 1de7418767f..efb4785899e 100644
--- a/pkg/services/dashboards/database/database_folder_test.go
+++ b/pkg/services/dashboards/database/database_folder_test.go
@@ -55,11 +55,11 @@ func TestIntegrationDashboardFolderDataAccess(t *testing.T) {
 						OrgId:        1,
 						DashboardIds: []int64{flder.ID, dashInRoot.ID},
 					}
-					err := testSearchDashboards(dashboardStore, query)
+					hits, err := testSearchDashboards(dashboardStore, query)
 					require.NoError(t, err)
-					require.Equal(t, len(query.Result), 2)
-					require.Equal(t, query.Result[0].ID, flder.ID)
-					require.Equal(t, query.Result[1].ID, dashInRoot.ID)
+					require.Equal(t, len(hits), 2)
+					require.Equal(t, hits[0].ID, flder.ID)
+					require.Equal(t, hits[1].ID, dashInRoot.ID)
 				})
 			})
 
@@ -78,11 +78,11 @@ func TestIntegrationDashboardFolderDataAccess(t *testing.T) {
 						SignedInUser: &user.SignedInUser{UserID: currentUser.ID, OrgID: 1, OrgRole: org.RoleViewer},
 						OrgId:        1, DashboardIds: []int64{flder.ID, dashInRoot.ID},
 					}
-					err := testSearchDashboards(dashboardStore, query)
+					hits, err := testSearchDashboards(dashboardStore, query)
 					require.NoError(t, err)
 
-					require.Equal(t, len(query.Result), 1)
-					require.Equal(t, query.Result[0].ID, dashInRoot.ID)
+					require.Equal(t, len(hits), 1)
+					require.Equal(t, hits[0].ID, dashInRoot.ID)
 				})
 
 				t.Run("when the user is given permission", func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -97,11 +97,11 @@ func TestIntegrationDashboardFolderDataAccess(t *testing.T) {
 							OrgId:        1,
 							DashboardIds: []int64{flder.ID, dashInRoot.ID},
 						}
-						err := testSearchDashboards(dashboardStore, query)
+						hits, err := testSearchDashboards(dashboardStore, query)
 						require.NoError(t, err)
-						require.Equal(t, len(query.Result), 2)
-						require.Equal(t, query.Result[0].ID, flder.ID)
-						require.Equal(t, query.Result[1].ID, dashInRoot.ID)
+						require.Equal(t, len(hits), 2)
+						require.Equal(t, hits[0].ID, flder.ID)
+						require.Equal(t, hits[1].ID, dashInRoot.ID)
 					})
 				})
 
@@ -116,11 +116,11 @@ func TestIntegrationDashboardFolderDataAccess(t *testing.T) {
 							OrgId:        1,
 							DashboardIds: []int64{flder.ID, dashInRoot.ID},
 						}
-						err := testSearchDashboards(dashboardStore, query)
+						hits, err := testSearchDashboards(dashboardStore, query)
 						require.NoError(t, err)
-						require.Equal(t, len(query.Result), 2)
-						require.Equal(t, query.Result[0].ID, flder.ID)
-						require.Equal(t, query.Result[1].ID, dashInRoot.ID)
+						require.Equal(t, len(hits), 2)
+						require.Equal(t, hits[0].ID, flder.ID)
+						require.Equal(t, hits[1].ID, dashInRoot.ID)
 					})
 				})
 			})
@@ -138,10 +138,10 @@ func TestIntegrationDashboardFolderDataAccess(t *testing.T) {
 					query := &dashboards.FindPersistedDashboardsQuery{
 						SignedInUser: &user.SignedInUser{UserID: currentUser.ID, OrgID: 1, OrgRole: org.RoleViewer}, OrgId: 1, DashboardIds: []int64{flder.ID, childDash.ID, dashInRoot.ID},
 					}
-					err := testSearchDashboards(dashboardStore, query)
+					hits, err := testSearchDashboards(dashboardStore, query)
 					require.NoError(t, err)
-					require.Equal(t, len(query.Result), 1)
-					require.Equal(t, query.Result[0].ID, dashInRoot.ID)
+					require.Equal(t, len(hits), 1)
+					require.Equal(t, hits[0].ID, dashInRoot.ID)
 				})
 
 				t.Run("when the user is given permission to child", func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -152,11 +152,11 @@ func TestIntegrationDashboardFolderDataAccess(t *testing.T) {
 
 					t.Run("should be able to search for child dashboard but not folder", func(t *testing.T) {
 						query := &dashboards.FindPersistedDashboardsQuery{SignedInUser: &user.SignedInUser{UserID: currentUser.ID, OrgID: 1, OrgRole: org.RoleViewer}, OrgId: 1, DashboardIds: []int64{flder.ID, childDash.ID, dashInRoot.ID}}
-						err := testSearchDashboards(dashboardStore, query)
+						hits, err := testSearchDashboards(dashboardStore, query)
 						require.NoError(t, err)
-						require.Equal(t, len(query.Result), 2)
-						require.Equal(t, query.Result[0].ID, childDash.ID)
-						require.Equal(t, query.Result[1].ID, dashInRoot.ID)
+						require.Equal(t, len(hits), 2)
+						require.Equal(t, hits[0].ID, childDash.ID)
+						require.Equal(t, hits[1].ID, dashInRoot.ID)
 					})
 				})
 
@@ -171,12 +171,12 @@ func TestIntegrationDashboardFolderDataAccess(t *testing.T) {
 							OrgId:        1,
 							DashboardIds: []int64{flder.ID, dashInRoot.ID, childDash.ID},
 						}
-						err := testSearchDashboards(dashboardStore, query)
+						hits, err := testSearchDashboards(dashboardStore, query)
 						require.NoError(t, err)
-						require.Equal(t, len(query.Result), 3)
-						require.Equal(t, query.Result[0].ID, flder.ID)
-						require.Equal(t, query.Result[1].ID, childDash.ID)
-						require.Equal(t, query.Result[2].ID, dashInRoot.ID)
+						require.Equal(t, len(hits), 3)
+						require.Equal(t, hits[0].ID, flder.ID)
+						require.Equal(t, hits[1].ID, childDash.ID)
+						require.Equal(t, hits[2].ID, dashInRoot.ID)
 					})
 				})
 			})
@@ -212,13 +212,13 @@ func TestIntegrationDashboardFolderDataAccess(t *testing.T) {
 						},
 						OrgId: 1,
 					}
-					err := testSearchDashboards(dashboardStore, query)
+					hits, err := testSearchDashboards(dashboardStore, query)
 					require.NoError(t, err)
-					require.Equal(t, len(query.Result), 4)
-					require.Equal(t, query.Result[0].ID, folder1.ID)
-					require.Equal(t, query.Result[1].ID, folder2.ID)
-					require.Equal(t, query.Result[2].ID, childDash1.ID)
-					require.Equal(t, query.Result[3].ID, dashInRoot.ID)
+					require.Equal(t, len(hits), 4)
+					require.Equal(t, hits[0].ID, folder1.ID)
+					require.Equal(t, hits[1].ID, folder2.ID)
+					require.Equal(t, hits[2].ID, childDash1.ID)
+					require.Equal(t, hits[3].ID, dashInRoot.ID)
 				})
 			})
 
@@ -238,10 +238,10 @@ func TestIntegrationDashboardFolderDataAccess(t *testing.T) {
 							OrgId:        1,
 							DashboardIds: []int64{folder1.ID, childDash1.ID, childDash2.ID, dashInRoot.ID},
 						}
-						err := testSearchDashboards(dashboardStore, query)
+						hits, err := testSearchDashboards(dashboardStore, query)
 						require.NoError(t, err)
-						require.Equal(t, len(query.Result), 1)
-						require.Equal(t, query.Result[0].ID, dashInRoot.ID)
+						require.Equal(t, len(hits), 1)
+						require.Equal(t, hits[0].ID, dashInRoot.ID)
 					})
 				})
 				t.Run("and a dashboard is moved from folder with acl to the folder without an acl", func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -254,13 +254,13 @@ func TestIntegrationDashboardFolderDataAccess(t *testing.T) {
 							OrgId:        1,
 							DashboardIds: []int64{folder2.ID, childDash1.ID, childDash2.ID, dashInRoot.ID},
 						}
-						err := testSearchDashboards(dashboardStore, query)
+						hits, err := testSearchDashboards(dashboardStore, query)
 						require.NoError(t, err)
-						require.Equal(t, len(query.Result), 4)
-						require.Equal(t, query.Result[0].ID, folder2.ID)
-						require.Equal(t, query.Result[1].ID, childDash1.ID)
-						require.Equal(t, query.Result[2].ID, childDash2.ID)
-						require.Equal(t, query.Result[3].ID, dashInRoot.ID)
+						require.Equal(t, len(hits), 4)
+						require.Equal(t, hits[0].ID, folder2.ID)
+						require.Equal(t, hits[1].ID, childDash1.ID)
+						require.Equal(t, hits[2].ID, childDash2.ID)
+						require.Equal(t, hits[3].ID, dashInRoot.ID)
 					})
 				})
 
@@ -278,13 +278,13 @@ func TestIntegrationDashboardFolderDataAccess(t *testing.T) {
 							OrgId:        1,
 							DashboardIds: []int64{folder2.ID, childDash1.ID, childDash2.ID, dashInRoot.ID},
 						}
-						err = testSearchDashboards(dashboardStore, query)
+						hits, err := testSearchDashboards(dashboardStore, query)
 						require.NoError(t, err)
-						require.Equal(t, len(query.Result), 4)
-						require.Equal(t, query.Result[0].ID, folder2.ID)
-						require.Equal(t, query.Result[1].ID, childDash1.ID)
-						require.Equal(t, query.Result[2].ID, childDash2.ID)
-						require.Equal(t, query.Result[3].ID, dashInRoot.ID)
+						require.Equal(t, len(hits), 4)
+						require.Equal(t, hits[0].ID, folder2.ID)
+						require.Equal(t, hits[1].ID, childDash1.ID)
+						require.Equal(t, hits[2].ID, childDash2.ID)
+						require.Equal(t, hits[3].ID, dashInRoot.ID)
 					})
 				})
 			})
@@ -319,12 +319,12 @@ func TestIntegrationDashboardFolderDataAccess(t *testing.T) {
 						Type:         "dash-folder",
 					}
 
-					err := testSearchDashboards(dashboardStore, &query)
+					hits, err := testSearchDashboards(dashboardStore, &query)
 					require.NoError(t, err)
 
-					require.Equal(t, len(query.Result), 2)
-					require.Equal(t, query.Result[0].ID, folder1.ID)
-					require.Equal(t, query.Result[1].ID, folder2.ID)
+					require.Equal(t, len(hits), 2)
+					require.Equal(t, hits[0].ID, folder1.ID)
+					require.Equal(t, hits[1].ID, folder2.ID)
 				})
 
 				t.Run("should have edit permission in folders", func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -354,12 +354,12 @@ func TestIntegrationDashboardFolderDataAccess(t *testing.T) {
 				}
 
 				t.Run("Should have write access to all dashboard folders with default ACL", func(t *testing.T) {
-					err := testSearchDashboards(dashboardStore, &query)
+					hits, err := testSearchDashboards(dashboardStore, &query)
 					require.NoError(t, err)
 
-					require.Equal(t, len(query.Result), 2)
-					require.Equal(t, query.Result[0].ID, folder1.ID)
-					require.Equal(t, query.Result[1].ID, folder2.ID)
+					require.Equal(t, len(hits), 2)
+					require.Equal(t, hits[0].ID, folder1.ID)
+					require.Equal(t, hits[1].ID, folder2.ID)
 				})
 
 				t.Run("Should have write access to one dashboard folder if default role changed to view for one folder", func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -368,11 +368,11 @@ func TestIntegrationDashboardFolderDataAccess(t *testing.T) {
 					})
 					require.NoError(t, err)
 
-					err = testSearchDashboards(dashboardStore, &query)
+					hits, err := testSearchDashboards(dashboardStore, &query)
 					require.NoError(t, err)
 
-					require.Equal(t, len(query.Result), 1)
-					require.Equal(t, query.Result[0].ID, folder2.ID)
+					require.Equal(t, len(hits), 1)
+					require.Equal(t, hits[0].ID, folder2.ID)
 				})
 
 				t.Run("should have edit permission in folders", func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -402,10 +402,10 @@ func TestIntegrationDashboardFolderDataAccess(t *testing.T) {
 				}
 
 				t.Run("Should have no write access to any dashboard folders with default ACL", func(t *testing.T) {
-					err := testSearchDashboards(dashboardStore, &query)
+					hits, err := testSearchDashboards(dashboardStore, &query)
 					require.NoError(t, err)
 
-					require.Equal(t, len(query.Result), 0)
+					require.Equal(t, len(hits), 0)
 				})
 
 				t.Run("Should be able to get one dashboard folder if default role changed to edit for one folder", func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -414,11 +414,11 @@ func TestIntegrationDashboardFolderDataAccess(t *testing.T) {
 					})
 					require.NoError(t, err)
 
-					err = testSearchDashboards(dashboardStore, &query)
+					hits, err := testSearchDashboards(dashboardStore, &query)
 					require.NoError(t, err)
 
-					require.Equal(t, len(query.Result), 1)
-					require.Equal(t, query.Result[0].ID, folder1.ID)
+					require.Equal(t, len(hits), 1)
+					require.Equal(t, hits[0].ID, folder1.ID)
 				})
 
 				t.Run("should not have edit permission in folders", func(t *testing.T) {
diff --git a/pkg/services/dashboards/database/database_test.go b/pkg/services/dashboards/database/database_test.go
index e5a4ba40581..3bdf7c38869 100644
--- a/pkg/services/dashboards/database/database_test.go
+++ b/pkg/services/dashboards/database/database_test.go
@@ -346,11 +346,11 @@ func TestIntegrationDashboardDataAccess(t *testing.T) {
 			},
 		}
 
-		err := testSearchDashboards(dashboardStore, &query)
+		hits, err := testSearchDashboards(dashboardStore, &query)
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 
-		require.Equal(t, len(query.Result), 1)
-		hit := query.Result[0]
+		require.Equal(t, len(hits), 1)
+		hit := hits[0]
 		require.Equal(t, hit.Type, model.DashHitFolder)
 		require.Equal(t, hit.URL, fmt.Sprintf("/dashboards/f/%s/%s", savedFolder.UID, savedFolder.Slug))
 		require.Equal(t, hit.FolderTitle, "")
@@ -370,11 +370,11 @@ func TestIntegrationDashboardDataAccess(t *testing.T) {
 			},
 		}
 
-		err := testSearchDashboards(dashboardStore, &query)
+		hits, err := testSearchDashboards(dashboardStore, &query)
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 
-		require.Equal(t, len(query.Result), 1)
-		require.EqualValues(t, query.Result[0].Title, "1 test dash folder")
+		require.Equal(t, len(hits), 1)
+		require.EqualValues(t, hits[0].Title, "1 test dash folder")
 	})
 
 	t.Run("Should be able to find results beyond limit using paging", func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -395,11 +395,11 @@ func TestIntegrationDashboardDataAccess(t *testing.T) {
 			},
 		}
 
-		err := testSearchDashboards(dashboardStore, &query)
+		hits, err := testSearchDashboards(dashboardStore, &query)
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 
-		require.Equal(t, len(query.Result), 1)
-		require.EqualValues(t, query.Result[0].Title, "test dash 23")
+		require.Equal(t, len(hits), 1)
+		require.EqualValues(t, hits[0].Title, "test dash 23")
 	})
 
 	t.Run("Should be able to filter by tag and type", func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -417,11 +417,11 @@ func TestIntegrationDashboardDataAccess(t *testing.T) {
 			},
 		}
 
-		err := testSearchDashboards(dashboardStore, &query)
+		hits, err := testSearchDashboards(dashboardStore, &query)
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 
-		require.Equal(t, len(query.Result), 3)
-		require.Equal(t, query.Result[0].Title, "test dash 23")
+		require.Equal(t, len(hits), 3)
+		require.Equal(t, hits[0].Title, "test dash 23")
 	})
 
 	t.Run("Should be able to find a dashboard folder's children", func(t *testing.T) {
@@ -438,11 +438,11 @@ func TestIntegrationDashboardDataAccess(t *testing.T) {
 			},
 		}
 
-		err := testSearchDashboards(dashboardStore, &query)
+		hits, err := testSearchDashboards(dashboardStore, &query)
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 
-		require.Equal(t, len(query.Result), 2)
-		hit := query.Result[0]
+		require.Equal(t, len(hits), 2)
+		hit := hits[0]
 		require.Equal(t, hit.ID, savedDash.ID)
 		require.Equal(t, hit.URL, fmt.Sprintf("/d/%s/%s", savedDash.UID, savedDash.Slug))
 		require.Equal(t, hit.FolderID, savedFolder.ID)
@@ -464,15 +464,15 @@ func TestIntegrationDashboardDataAccess(t *testing.T) {
 			},
 		}
 
-		err := testSearchDashboards(dashboardStore, &query)
+		hits, err := testSearchDashboards(dashboardStore, &query)
 		require.NoError(t, err)
 
-		require.Equal(t, len(query.Result), 2)
+		require.Equal(t, len(hits), 2)
 
-		hit := query.Result[0]
+		hit := hits[0]
 		require.Equal(t, len(hit.Tags), 2)
 
-		hit2 := query.Result[1]
+		hit2 := hits[1]
 		require.Equal(t, len(hit2.Tags), 1)
 	})
 
@@ -751,17 +751,17 @@ func updateDashboardACL(t *testing.T, dashboardStore dashboards.Store, dashboard
 
 // testSearchDashboards is a (near) copy of the dashboard service
 // SearchDashboards, which is a wrapper around FindDashboards.
-func testSearchDashboards(d dashboards.Store, query *dashboards.FindPersistedDashboardsQuery) error {
+func testSearchDashboards(d dashboards.Store, query *dashboards.FindPersistedDashboardsQuery) (model.HitList, error) {
 	res, err := d.FindDashboards(context.Background(), query)
 	if err != nil {
-		return err
+		return nil, err
 	}
-	makeQueryResult(query, res)
-	return nil
+	hits := makeQueryResult(query, res)
+	return hits, nil
 }
 
-func makeQueryResult(query *dashboards.FindPersistedDashboardsQuery, res []dashboards.DashboardSearchProjection) {
-	query.Result = make([]*model.Hit, 0)
+func makeQueryResult(query *dashboards.FindPersistedDashboardsQuery, res []dashboards.DashboardSearchProjection) model.HitList {
+	hitList := make([]*model.Hit, 0)
 	hits := make(map[int64]*model.Hit)
 
 	for _, item := range res {
@@ -794,11 +794,12 @@ func makeQueryResult(query *dashboards.FindPersistedDashboardsQuery, res []dashb
 				hit.SortMetaName = query.Sort.MetaName
 			}
 
-			query.Result = append(query.Result, hit)
+			hitList = append(hitList, hit)
 			hits[item.ID] = hit
 		}
 		if len(item.Term) > 0 {
 			hit.Tags = append(hit.Tags, item.Term)
 		}
 	}
+	return hitList
 }
diff --git a/pkg/services/dashboards/models.go b/pkg/services/dashboards/models.go
index 5495c33e5e5..98384bd0ddf 100644
--- a/pkg/services/dashboards/models.go
+++ b/pkg/services/dashboards/models.go
@@ -430,6 +430,4 @@ type FindPersistedDashboardsQuery struct {
 	Sort          model.SortOption
 
 	Filters []interface{}
-
-	Result model.HitList
 }
diff --git a/pkg/services/dashboards/service/dashboard_service.go b/pkg/services/dashboards/service/dashboard_service.go
index 42a9d9fbbcc..d6dd003dde1 100644
--- a/pkg/services/dashboards/service/dashboard_service.go
+++ b/pkg/services/dashboards/service/dashboard_service.go
@@ -547,15 +547,15 @@ func (dr *DashboardServiceImpl) FindDashboards(ctx context.Context, query *dashb
 	return dr.dashboardStore.FindDashboards(ctx, query)
 }
 
-func (dr *DashboardServiceImpl) SearchDashboards(ctx context.Context, query *dashboards.FindPersistedDashboardsQuery) error {
+func (dr *DashboardServiceImpl) SearchDashboards(ctx context.Context, query *dashboards.FindPersistedDashboardsQuery) (model.HitList, error) {
 	res, err := dr.FindDashboards(ctx, query)
 	if err != nil {
-		return err
+		return nil, err
 	}
 
-	makeQueryResult(query, res)
+	hits := makeQueryResult(query, res)
 
-	return nil
+	return hits, nil
 }
 
 func getHitType(item dashboards.DashboardSearchProjection) model.HitType {
@@ -569,8 +569,8 @@ func getHitType(item dashboards.DashboardSearchProjection) model.HitType {
 	return hitType
 }
 
-func makeQueryResult(query *dashboards.FindPersistedDashboardsQuery, res []dashboards.DashboardSearchProjection) {
-	query.Result = make([]*model.Hit, 0)
+func makeQueryResult(query *dashboards.FindPersistedDashboardsQuery, res []dashboards.DashboardSearchProjection) model.HitList {
+	hitList := make([]*model.Hit, 0)
 	hits := make(map[int64]*model.Hit)
 
 	for _, item := range res {
@@ -598,13 +598,14 @@ func makeQueryResult(query *dashboards.FindPersistedDashboardsQuery, res []dashb
 				hit.SortMetaName = query.Sort.MetaName
 			}
 
-			query.Result = append(query.Result, hit)
+			hitList = append(hitList, hit)
 			hits[item.ID] = hit
 		}
 		if len(item.Term) > 0 {
 			hit.Tags = append(hit.Tags, item.Term)
 		}
 	}
+	return hitList
 }
 
 func (dr *DashboardServiceImpl) GetDashboardACLInfoList(ctx context.Context, query *dashboards.GetDashboardACLInfoListQuery) ([]*dashboards.DashboardACLInfoDTO, error) {
diff --git a/pkg/services/search/service.go b/pkg/services/search/service.go
index 344d4481e74..bed792f18b4 100644
--- a/pkg/services/search/service.go
+++ b/pkg/services/search/service.go
@@ -96,11 +96,11 @@ func (s *SearchService) SearchHandler(ctx context.Context, query *Query) error {
 		dashboardQuery.Sort = sortOpt
 	}
 
-	if err := s.dashboardService.SearchDashboards(ctx, &dashboardQuery); err != nil {
+	hits, err := s.dashboardService.SearchDashboards(ctx, &dashboardQuery)
+	if err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	hits := dashboardQuery.Result
 	if query.Sort == "" {
 		hits = sortedHits(hits)
 	}
diff --git a/pkg/services/search/service_test.go b/pkg/services/search/service_test.go
index 701b00335e8..a85aa857f81 100644
--- a/pkg/services/search/service_test.go
+++ b/pkg/services/search/service_test.go
@@ -22,16 +22,13 @@ func TestSearch_SortedResults(t *testing.T) {
 	db := dbtest.NewFakeDB()
 	us := usertest.NewUserServiceFake()
 	ds := dashboards.NewFakeDashboardService(t)
-	ds.On("SearchDashboards", mock.Anything, mock.AnythingOfType("*dashboards.FindPersistedDashboardsQuery")).Run(func(args mock.Arguments) {
-		q := args.Get(1).(*dashboards.FindPersistedDashboardsQuery)
-		q.Result = model.HitList{
-			&model.Hit{ID: 16, Title: "CCAA", Type: "dash-db", Tags: []string{"BB", "AA"}},
-			&model.Hit{ID: 10, Title: "AABB", Type: "dash-db", Tags: []string{"CC", "AA"}},
-			&model.Hit{ID: 15, Title: "BBAA", Type: "dash-db", Tags: []string{"EE", "AA", "BB"}},
-			&model.Hit{ID: 25, Title: "bbAAa", Type: "dash-db", Tags: []string{"EE", "AA", "BB"}},
-			&model.Hit{ID: 17, Title: "FOLDER", Type: "dash-folder"},
-		}
-	}).Return(nil)
+	ds.On("SearchDashboards", mock.Anything, mock.AnythingOfType("*dashboards.FindPersistedDashboardsQuery")).Return(model.HitList{
+		&model.Hit{ID: 16, Title: "CCAA", Type: "dash-db", Tags: []string{"BB", "AA"}},
+		&model.Hit{ID: 10, Title: "AABB", Type: "dash-db", Tags: []string{"CC", "AA"}},
+		&model.Hit{ID: 15, Title: "BBAA", Type: "dash-db", Tags: []string{"EE", "AA", "BB"}},
+		&model.Hit{ID: 25, Title: "bbAAa", Type: "dash-db", Tags: []string{"EE", "AA", "BB"}},
+		&model.Hit{ID: 17, Title: "FOLDER", Type: "dash-folder"},
+	}, nil)
 	us.ExpectedSignedInUser = &user.SignedInUser{IsGrafanaAdmin: true}
 	ss.ExpectedUserStars = &star.GetUserStarsResult{UserStars: map[int64]bool{10: true, 12: true}}
 	svc := &SearchService{
@@ -68,14 +65,11 @@ func TestSearch_StarredResults(t *testing.T) {
 	db := dbtest.NewFakeDB()
 	us := usertest.NewUserServiceFake()
 	ds := dashboards.NewFakeDashboardService(t)
-	ds.On("SearchDashboards", mock.Anything, mock.AnythingOfType("*dashboards.FindPersistedDashboardsQuery")).Run(func(args mock.Arguments) {
-		q := args.Get(1).(*dashboards.FindPersistedDashboardsQuery)
-		q.Result = model.HitList{
-			&model.Hit{ID: 1, Title: "A", Type: "dash-db"},
-			&model.Hit{ID: 2, Title: "B", Type: "dash-db"},
-			&model.Hit{ID: 3, Title: "C", Type: "dash-db"},
-		}
-	}).Return(nil)
+	ds.On("SearchDashboards", mock.Anything, mock.AnythingOfType("*dashboards.FindPersistedDashboardsQuery")).Return(model.HitList{
+		&model.Hit{ID: 1, Title: "A", Type: "dash-db"},
+		&model.Hit{ID: 2, Title: "B", Type: "dash-db"},
+		&model.Hit{ID: 3, Title: "C", Type: "dash-db"},
+	}, nil)
 	us.ExpectedSignedInUser = &user.SignedInUser{}
 	ss.ExpectedUserStars = &star.GetUserStarsResult{UserStars: map[int64]bool{1: true, 3: true, 4: true}}
 	svc := &SearchService{