Personalizing a search results page based on search history

• US 20070294615A1
• Filed: 05/30/2006
• Published: 12/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Sathe, Saleel
• Granted Patent: US 7,966,324 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/803
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/337 Profile generation, learning or modification
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9535 Search customisation based on user profiles and personalisation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/955 using information identifiers, e.g. uniform resource locators [URL]

Abstract

The invention discloses a system and method for personalizing a search results mix based on a user'"'"'s search history. The invention can use an individual user'"'"'s search history to personalize a search results page that may be unique for the specific user. The invention can be configured to monitor the types of search results that the user frequently accesses. A default search results page can then be modified according to the frequency in which the user accesses certain search results. The modified search results page can then be presented to the user upon the submission of a search request.

Claims

1. A method for personalizing a search results mix based on a user'"'"'s search history, comprising:

determining a user access frequency for a non-algorithmic result;

comparing the user access frequency to a threshold value;

specifying a search results page layout, the search results page including one or more non-algorithmic results;

modifying the search results page layout when the user access frequency meets the threshold value; and

providing the modified search results page layout.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the non-algorithmic result is at least one of an advertisement and an instant answer.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein modifying the search results page layout comprises increasing the quantity of non-algorithmic results.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein modifying the search results page layout comprises rearranging the placement of the non-algorithmic result.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein modifying the search results page layout comprises decreasing the quantity of the non-algorithmic results.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein determining a user access frequency for the non-algorithmic result comprises evaluating at least one item of user search history information to detect how often a user accesses the non-algorithmic result.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the at least one item is disregarded after a period of time.

13. The method according to claim 6, wherein the at least one item is disregarded after a period of time.

8. A method for personalizing a search results mix based on a user'"'"'s search history, comprising:

aggregating user search history information from a plurality of users;

receiving a search request;

determining a user access frequency for a non-algorithmic result;

comparing the user access frequency to a threshold value;

specifying a search results page layout, the search results page including one or more non-algorithmic results;

modifying the search results page layout when the user access frequency meets the threshold value; and

providing the modified search results page layout.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the non-algorithmic result is at least one of an advertisement and an instant answer.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein modifying the search results page layout comprises increasing or decreasing the quantity of non-algorithmic results.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein modifying the search results page layout comprises rearranging the placement of the non-algorithmic result.

12. The method according to claim 8, wherein determining a user access frequency for the non-algorithmic result comprises evaluating at least one item of user search history information to detect how often a user accesses the non-algorithmic result.

14. One or more computer-readable media having computer-usable instructions stored thereon for performing a method for personalizing a search results mix based on a user'"'"'s search history, comprising:

determining a user access frequency for a non-algorithmic result;

comparing the user access frequency to a threshold value;

specifying a search results page layout, the search results page including one or more non-algorithmic results;

modifying the search results page layout when the user access frequency meets the threshold value; and

providing the modified search results page layout.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the non-algorithmic result is at least one of an advertisement and an instant answer.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein modifying the search results page layout comprises increasing the quantity of non-algorithmic results.

17. The method according to claim 14, wherein modifying the search results page layout comprises rearranging the placement of the non-algorithmic result.

18. The method according to claim 14, wherein modifying the search results page layout comprises decreasing the quantity of the non-algorithmic results.

19. The method according to claim 14, wherein determining a user access frequency for the non-algorithmic result comprises evaluating at least one item of user search history information to detect how often a user accesses the non-algorithmic result.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the at least one item is disregarded after a period of time.