diff --git a/src/components/searchbar/searchbar.ts b/src/components/searchbar/searchbar.ts
index bef595cacd..7d3f420aa5 100644
--- a/src/components/searchbar/searchbar.ts
+++ b/src/components/searchbar/searchbar.ts
@@ -267,7 +267,7 @@ export class Searchbar {
    * Align the input placeholder left on focus or if a value exists
    */
   shouldAlignLeft() {
-    return ( (this._value && this._value.toString().trim() != '') || this._sbHasFocus == true );
+    return ( (this._value && this._value.toString().trim() !== '') || this._sbHasFocus === true );
   }
 
   /**