System and method for conducting an auction-based ranking of search results on a computer network
First Claim
1. A computer implemented method of auctioning the placement of advertisements on a website through a distributed computer system, comprising:
- providing, through the distributed computer system, a plurality of actual ranking positions and a search result list containing the actual ranking positions; and
auctioning, through the distributed computer system, the actual ranking positions in the search result list for a determined display period during which advertisements are displayed at the actual ranking positions in the search result list.
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Abstract
A method and system are disclosed for displaying a search result list in response to a search request from a searcher using a computer network. Ranks in the search result list are auctioned for a search term for a determined display period. A database is maintained to include search listings, where the search listings are associated with a winning bidder for a specified rank in the search result list, the search term and the determined display period. The search result list displayed to the searcher includes search listings ordered in accordance with respective ranks, for the determined display period.
29 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A computer implemented method of auctioning the placement of advertisements on a website through a distributed computer system, comprising:
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providing, through the distributed computer system, a plurality of actual ranking positions and a search result list containing the actual ranking positions; and auctioning, through the distributed computer system, the actual ranking positions in the search result list for a determined display period during which advertisements are displayed at the actual ranking positions in the search result list. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A computer system for managing auctions of actual ranking positions in a search result list, comprising:
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a computer readable storage medium including a bidding database that stores; information about actual ranking positions; and information about bids in an auction for the actual ranking positions; wherein the actual ranking positions are for ranking positions in a search result list for a determined display period; and a processor configured to receive and store the information about bids in the auction for the actual ranking positions. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A computer system for generating a search result list, comprising:
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a first computer readable storage medium including an inventory database that stores information about actual ranking positions for a determined search term for a determined display period; a second computer readable storage medium including an auction database that stores information about bids for the actual ranking positions for a determined search term for a determined display period; and a search engine web server that includes a search database including search listing records; and wherein the search engine web server is configured so that when it receives a query, the search engine web server generates and transmits a search result list page, wherein a plurality of actual ranking positions on the search result list page correspond to winning bidders in the auction for the actual ranking position for the search term for a determined display period. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification