diff --git a/earthaccess/api.py b/earthaccess/api.py
index 6b758aa2..741f06cc 100644
--- a/earthaccess/api.py
+++ b/earthaccess/api.py
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ def search_datasets(count: int = -1, **kwargs: Any) -> List[DataCollection]:
     return query.get_all()
 
 
-def search_data(count: int = -1, **kwargs: Any) -> List[DataGranule]:
+def search_data(count: int = -1, **kwargs: Any) -> DataGranules:
     """Search dataset granules using NASA's CMR.
 
     [https://cmr.earthdata.nasa.gov/search/site/docs/search/api.html](https://cmr.earthdata.nasa.gov/search/site/docs/search/api.html)
@@ -122,14 +122,13 @@ def search_data(count: int = -1, **kwargs: Any) -> List[DataGranule]:
         ```
     """
     if earthaccess.__auth__.authenticated:
-        query = DataGranules(earthaccess.__auth__).parameters(**kwargs)
+        results = DataGranules(earthaccess.__auth__).parameters(**kwargs)
     else:
-        query = DataGranules().parameters(**kwargs)
-    granules_found = query.hits()
-    logger.info(f"Granules found: {granules_found}")
-    if count > 0:
-        return query.get(count)
-    return query.get_all()
+        results = DataGranules().parameters(**kwargs)
+
+    results.load(count)
+    logger.info(f"Granules found: {len(results)}")
+    return results
 
 
 def search_services(count: int = -1, **kwargs: Any) -> List[Any]:
diff --git a/earthaccess/search.py b/earthaccess/search.py
index 63bb0e8f..6f5992e5 100644
--- a/earthaccess/search.py
+++ b/earthaccess/search.py
@@ -960,13 +960,13 @@ def __iter__(self):
     def __len__(self):
         return len(self.granules)
 
-    def __getitem__(self, index: int):
+    def __getitem__(self, index: int) -> DataGranule:
         # FIXME: allow slicing
         # if isinstance(index, slice):
         #     return DataGranules(self.jobs[index])
         return self.granules[index]
 
-    def __setitem__(self, index: int, granule: DataGranule):
+    def __setitem__(self, index: int, granule: DataGranule) -> 'DataGranules':
         self.granules[index] = granule
         return self
 
@@ -974,11 +974,11 @@ def __setitem__(self, index: int, granule: DataGranule):
     # def __contains__(self, job: Job):
     #     return job in self.jobs
 
-    def __eq__(self, other: 'DataGranules'):
+    def __eq__(self, other: 'DataGranules') -> bool:
         # FIXME: compare query parameters too? what does it mean to be equal?
-        return self.graunles == other.granules
+        return self.granules == other.granules
 
     # TODO: display methods
-    def __repr__(self):
+    def __repr__(self) -> str:
         reprs = ", ".join([granule.__repr__() for granule in self.granules])
         return f'DataGranules([{reprs}])'