US television presenter Savannah Guthrie has returned to NBC's Today show, telling her co-anchors it was "good to be back", as the search for her mother continues.

It was her first appearance in the studio since 30 January, two days before her 84-year-old mother Nancy was reported missing.

Her co-anchors noted on Monday that many fans were standing outside the studios on a chilly New York morning carrying signs welcoming Guthrie back.

"I'm really feeling the love," she said in response.

Investigators believe Nancy Guthrie, who was last seen on 31 January, was taken against her will from her home near Tucson, Arizona, but they have not shared a possible motive or arrested a suspect.