Scoring links in a document

• US 8,127,220 B1
• Filed: 12/13/2000
• Issued: 02/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Dean, Jeffrey A., Silverstein, Craig, Page, Lawrence E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hutton Jr, Doug
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mercado, Ariel
• Application Number:
  US09/734,883
• Time in Patent Office: 4,094 Days
• Field of Search: 707/3, 707/5, 705/14, 715/500, 715/501, 715/206, 715/207, 715/208
• US Class Current: 715/206
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/954 Navigation, e.g. using categorised browsing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/957 Browsing optimisation, e.g. caching or content distillation

Abstract

A system modifies documents to aid users in determining which of the entries in the documents to choose. The system identifies a document that includes one or more entries. The system determines a score for each of the entries and modifies the identified document, or entries in the identified document, based on the determined scores. The system then provides the modified document to a user.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

identifying a document that is stored on a server in a network and that includes links to linked documents;

determining scores for a plurality of the links in the identified document;

modifying the identified document based on the determined scores, wherein modifying the identified document includes;

reordering at least two of the links based on the determined scores, or sorting at least two of the links based on the determined scores,

comparing the determined scores to a threshold, and

deleting one of the links from the identified document when the determined score for the one of the links falls below the threshold; and

providing the modified document to a user.

2. The method of claim 1,

wherein determining the scores includes:

for each of the linked documents, determining scores for one or more linking documents that contain links to the linked document,

determining a score for each of the linked documents based on the scores of the one or more linking documents, and

associating the determined scores for the linked documents with the corresponding links in the identified document.

3. The method of claim 1,

wherein determining the scores includes:

determining a clickthrough rate for each of the linked documents,

determining a score for each of the linked documents based on the determined clickthrough rates, and

associating the determined scores for the linked documents with the corresponding links in the identified document.

4. The method of claim 1,

wherein determining the scores includes:

determining a measure of popularity associated with each of the linked documents,

determining a score for each of the linked documents based on the determined measure of popularity, and

associating the determined scores for the linked documents with the corresponding links in the identified document.

5. The method of claim 1,

wherein determining the scores includes:

receiving input from the user,

determining a score for each of the linked documents based on the received input, and

associating the determined scores for the linked documents with the corresponding links in the identified document.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein determining the score for each of the linked documents includes:

for each of the linked documents, comparing one or more words of the received input with a content of the linked document, and

determining a score for the linked document based on a degree of match between the one or more words and the content of the linked document.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the scores includes at least two of:

for each of the linked documents, determining scores for one or more linking documents that contain links to the linked document,

determining a score for each of the linked documents based on the scores of the one or more linking documents, and

associating the determined scores for the linked documents with the corresponding links in the identified document;

determining a clickthrough rate for each of the linked documents,

determining a score for each of the linked documents based on the determined clickthrough rates, and

associating the determined scores for the linked documents with the corresponding links in the identified document;

determining a measure of popularity associated with each of the linked documents,

determining a score for each of the linked documents based on the determined measure of popularity, and

associating the determined scores for the linked documents with the corresponding links in the identified document;

or

receiving input from the user,

determining a score for each of the linked documents based on the received input, and

associating the determined scores for the linked documents with the corresponding links in the identified document.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein modifying the identified document further includes:

visually distinguishing an appearance of at least one of the links, within the identified document, based on the determined score for the at least one of the links.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein modifying the identified document further includes:

annotating at least one of the links, within the identified document, based on the determined score for the at least one of the links.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein modifying the identified document further includes:

determining that the determined score, for a particular one of the links, is greater than a particular threshold,

identifying additional information regarding a linked document pointed to by the particular one of the links when the determined score, for the particular one of the links, is greater than the particular threshold, and

providing the additional information for the particular one of the links.

11. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

receiving a search query;

providing a list of search results in response to the search query;

receiving selection of one of the search results in the list of search results;

identifying links in a document corresponding to the selected search result;

determining a score for one of the links based on a degree of match between the search query and a content of a linked document pointed to by the one of the links;

modifying the document based on the determined score for the one of the links; and

providing the modified document.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein determining the score for the one of the links includes determining scores for each of a plurality of the links in the document based on a degree of match between the search query and a content of a linked document pointed to by the link;

and

wherein modifying the document includes;

reordering the links based on the determined scores.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein reordering the links includes:

sorting the links based on the determined scores.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein modifying the document includes:

changing at least one visual characteristic of the one of the links within the document based on the determined score.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

comparing the determined score to a threshold; and

deleting the one of the links when the determined score for the one of the links falls below the threshold.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the links in the document point to a plurality of linked documents;

and

wherein determining the score for the one of the links further includes;

determining scores for one or more linking documents that contain links to the linked document pointed to by the one of the links,

determining a score for the linked document based on the scores of the one or more linking documents, and

associating the determined score for the linked document with the one of the links in the document.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the links in the document point to a plurality of linked documents;

and

wherein determining the score for the one of the links further includes;

determining a clickthrough rate for the linked document pointed to by the one of the links,

determining a score for the linked document based on the determined clickthrough rate, and

associating the determined score for the linked document with the one of the links in the document.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the links in the document point to a plurality of linked documents;

and

wherein determining the score for the one of the links further includes;

determining a measure of popularity associated with the linked document pointed to by the one of the links,

determining a score for the linked document based on the determined measure of popularity, and

associating the determined score for the linked document with the one of the links in the document.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the links in the document point to a plurality of linked documents;

and

wherein determining the score for the one of the links further includes;

receiving input from a user,

determining a score for the linked document pointed to by the one of the links based on the received input, and

associating the determined score for the linked document with the one of the links in the document.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein modifying the document includes:

annotating the one of the links, within the document, based on the determined score for the one of the links.

21. The method of claim 11, wherein modifying the document includes:

determining that the determined score, for the one of the links, is greater than a particular threshold,

identifying additional information regarding a linked document pointed to by the one of the links when the determined score, for the one of the links, is greater than the particular threshold, and

providing the additional information for the one of the links.

22. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

identifying a document that is stored on a server in a network and that includes links to linked documents;

determining scores for a plurality of the links in the identified document;

comparing the determined scores to a threshold;

deleting one of the plurality of links from the identified document when the determined score for the one of the links falls below the threshold; and

providing, to a user, the identified document without the deleted link.

23. The method of claim 22,

wherein determining the scores includes:

for each of the linked documents, determining scores for one or more linking documents that contain links to the linked document,

determining a score for each of the linked documents based on the scores of the one or more linking documents, and

associating the determined scores for the linked documents with the corresponding links in the identified document.

24. The method of claim 22,

wherein determining the scores includes:

determining a clickthrough rate for each of the linked documents,

determining a score for each of the linked documents based on the determined clickthrough rates, and

associating the determined scores for the linked documents with the corresponding links in the identified document.

25. The method of claim 22,

wherein determining the scores includes:

determining a measure of popularity associated with each of the linked documents,

determining a score for each of the linked documents based on the determined measure of popularity, and

associating the determined scores for the linked documents with the corresponding links in the identified document.

26. The method of claim 22,

wherein determining the scores includes:

receiving input from the user,

determining a score for each of the linked documents based on the received input, and

associating the determined scores for the linked documents with the corresponding links in the identified document.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein determining the score for each of the linked documents includes:

for each of the linked documents, comparing one or more words of the received input with a content of the linked document, and

determining a score for the linked document based on a degree of match between the one or more words and the content of the linked document.

28. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

determining additional information regarding a linked document pointed to by the one of the plurality of links when the score for the one of the links does not fall below the threshold; and

providing the identified document with the additional information to the user.

29. The method of claim 22, wherein determining the scores includes at least two of:

for each of the linked documents, determining scores for one or more linking documents that contain links to the linked document,

determining a score for each of the linked documents based on the scores of the one or more linking documents, and

associating the determined scores for the linked documents with the corresponding links in the identified document;

determining a clickthrough rate for each of the linked documents,

determining a score for each of the linked documents based on the determined clickthrough rates, and

associating the determined scores for the linked documents with the corresponding links in the identified document;

determining a measure of popularity associated with each of the linked documents,

determining a score for each of the linked documents based on the determined measure of popularity, and

associating the determined scores for the linked documents with the corresponding links in the identified document;

or

receiving input from the user,

determining a score for each of the linked documents based on the received input, and

associating the determined scores for the linked documents with the corresponding links in the identified document.

30. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

sorting at least two of the plurality of links within the identified document based on the determined scores for the at least two of the plurality of links.

31. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

changing at least one visual characteristic of a particular one of the plurality of links within the identified document based on the determined score for the particular one of the plurality of links.

32. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

annotating a particular one of the plurality of links, within the identified document, based on the determined score for the particular one of the plurality of links.

33. A system, comprising:

means for identifying a document based on an address associated with the document, the document including links that point to linked documents;

means for determining scores for a plurality of the links in the identified document;

means for comparing the determined scores to a threshold;

means for determining that a score for one of the plurality of links is greater than the threshold;

means for determining additional information regarding the linked document pointed to by the one of the plurality of links; and

means for providing the identified document with the additional information to a user.

34. The system of claim 33, further comprising:

means for determining that a score for another one of the plurality of links is less than a particular threshold;

means for deleting the other one of the plurality of links from the identified document when the score for the other one of the plurality of links is less than the particular threshold; and

means for providing, to a user, the identified document without the deleted link.

35. The system of claim 33,

wherein the means for determining the scores includes:

means for determining, for each of the linked documents, scores for one or more linking documents that contain links to the linked document,

means for determining a score for each of the linked documents based on the scores of the one or more linking documents, and

means for associating the determined scores for the linked documents with the corresponding links in the identified document.

36. The system of claim 33,

wherein the means for determining the scores includes:

means for determining a clickthrough rate for each of the linked documents,

means for determining a score for each of the linked documents based on the determined clickthrough rates, and

means for associating the determined scores for the linked documents with the corresponding links in the identified document.

37. The system of claim 33,

wherein the means for determining the scores includes:

means for determining a measure of popularity associated with each of the linked documents,

means for determining a score for each of the linked documents based on the determined measure of popularity, and

means for associating the determined scores for the linked documents with the corresponding links in the identified document.

38. The system of claim 33,

wherein the means for determining the scores includes:

means for receiving input from the user,

means for determining a score for each of the linked documents based on the received input, and

means for associating the determined scores for the linked documents with the corresponding links in the identified document.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein the means for determining the score for each of the linked documents includes:

means for comparing, for each of the linked documents, one or more words of the received input with a content of the linked document, and

means for determining a score for the linked document based on a degree of match between the one or more words and the content of the linked document.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein the additional information includes an excerpt from the linked document, a size of the linked document, or a date of last modification of the linked document.

41. The system of claim 33, wherein the means for determining the scores includes at least two of:

means for;

determining, for each of the linked documents, scores for one or more linking documents that contain links to the linked document,

determining a score for each of the linked documents based on the scores of the one or more linking documents, and

associating the determined scores for the linked documents with the corresponding links in the identified document;

means for;

determining a clickthrough rate for each of the linked documents,

determining a score for each of the linked documents based on the determined clickthrough rates, and

associating the determined scores for the linked documents with the corresponding links in the identified document;

means for;

determining a measure of popularity associated with each of the linked documents,

determining a score for each of the linked documents based on the determined measure of popularity, and

associating the determined scores for the linked documents with the corresponding links in the identified document;

or

means for;

receiving input from the user, determining a score for each of the linked documents based on the received input, and

associating the determined scores for the linked documents with the corresponding links in the identified document.

42. The system of claim 33, further comprising:

means for sorting at least two of the plurality of links within the identified document based on the determined scores for the at least two of the plurality of links.

43. The system of claim 33, further comprising:

means for changing at least one visual characteristic of a particular one of the plurality of links within the identified document based on the determined score for the particular one of the plurality of links.

44. The system of claim 33, further comprising:

means for annotating a particular one of the plurality of links, within the identified document, based on the determined score for the particular one of the plurality of links.

45. A computer-readable memory device storing instructions executable by at least one processor, the computer-readable memory device comprising:

one or more instructions to identify a document that is stored on a server in a network and that includes links to linked documents;

one or more instructions to determine scores for a plurality of the links in the identified document;

one or more instructions to modify the identified document based on the determined scores, wherein the one or more instructions to modify the identified document include;

one or more instructions to reorder at least two of the links based on the determined scores, or one or more instructions to sort at least two of the links based on the determined scores,

one or more instructions to compare the determined scores to a threshold, and

one or more instructions to delete one of the links from the identified document when the determined score for the one of the links falls below the threshold; and

one or more instructions to provide the modified document to a user.

46. The computer-readable memory device of claim 45, wherein the one or more instructions to determine the scores include:

one or more instructions to determine, for each of the linked documents, scores for one or more linking documents that contain links to the linked document,

one or more instructions to determine a score for each of the linked documents based on the scores of the one or more linking documents, and

one or more instructions to associate the determined scores for the linked documents with the corresponding links in the identified document.

47. The computer-readable memory device of claim 45, wherein the one or more instructions to determine the scores include:

one or more instructions to determine a clickthrough rate for each of the linked documents,

one or more instructions to determine a score for each of the linked documents based on the determined clickthrough rates, and

one or more instructions to associate the determined scores for the linked documents with the corresponding links in the identified document.

48. The computer-readable memory device of claim 45, wherein the one or more instructions to determine the scores include:

one or more instructions to determine a measure of popularity associated with each of the linked documents,

one or more instructions to determine a score for each of the linked documents based on the determined measure of popularity, and

one or more instructions to associate the determined scores for the linked documents with the corresponding links in the identified document.

49. The computer-readable memory device of claim 45, wherein the one or more instructions to determine the scores include:

one or more instructions to receive input from the user,

one or more instructions to determine a score for each of the linked documents based on the received input, and

one or more instructions to associate the determined scores for the linked documents with the corresponding links in the identified document.

50. The computer-readable memory device of claim 49, wherein the one or more instructions to determine the score for each of the linked documents include:

one or more instructions to compare, for each of the linked documents, one or more words of the received input with a content of the linked document, and

one or more instructions to determine a score for the linked document based on a degree of match between the one or more words and the content of the linked document.

51. The computer-readable memory device of claim 45, wherein the one or more instructions to determine the scores include at least two of:

instructions to;

determine, for each of the linked documents, scores for one or more linking documents that contain links to the linked document,

determine a score for each of the linked documents based on the scores of the one or more linking documents, and

associate the determined scores for the linked documents with the corresponding links in the identified document;

instructions to;

determine a clickthrough rate for each of the linked documents,

determine a score for each of the linked documents based on the determined clickthrough rates, and

associate the determined scores for the linked documents with the corresponding links in the identified document;

instructions to;

determine a measure of popularity associated with each of the linked documents,

determine a score for each of the linked documents based on the determined measure of popularity, and

associate the determined scores for the linked documents with the corresponding links in the identified document;

or

instructions to;

receive input from the user,

determine a score for each of the linked documents based on the received input, and

associate the determined scores for the linked documents with the corresponding links in the identified document.

52. The computer-readable memory device of claim 45, wherein the one or more instructions to modify the identified document further include:

one or more instructions to visually distinguish an appearance of at least one of the links, within the identified document, based on the determined score for the at least one of the links.

53. The computer-readable memory device of claim 45, wherein the one or more instructions to modify the identified document further include:

one or more instructions to annotate at least one of the links, within the identified document, based on the determined score for the at least one of the links.

54. The computer-readable memory device of claim 45, wherein the one or more instructions to modify the identified document further include:

one or more instructions to determine that the determined score, for a particular one of the links, is greater than a particular threshold,

one or more instructions to identify additional information regarding a linked document pointed to by the particular one of the links when the determined score, for the particular one of the links, is greater than the particular threshold, and

one or more instructions to provide the additional information for the particular one of the links.

55. A computer-readable memory device storing instructions executable by at least one processor, the computer-readable memory device comprising:

one or more instructions to receive a search query;

one or more instructions to provide a list of search results in response to the search query;

one or more instructions to receive selection of one of the search results in the list of search results;

one or more instructions to identify links in a document corresponding to the selected search result;

one or more instructions to determine a score for one of the links based on a degree of match between the search query and a content of a linked document pointed to by the one of the links;

one or more instructions to modify the document based on the determined score for the one of the links; and

one or more instructions to provide the modified document.

56. The computer-readable memory device of claim 55, wherein the one or more instructions to determine the score for the one of the links include one or more instructions to determine scores for each of a plurality of the links in the document based on a degree of match between the search query and a content of a linked document pointed to by the link;

and

wherein the one or more instructions to modify the document include;

one or more instructions to reorder the links based on the determined scores.

57. The computer-readable memory device of claim 56, wherein the one or more instructions to reorder the links include:

one or more instructions to sort the links based on the determined scores.

58. The computer-readable memory device of claim 55, wherein the one or more instructions to modify the document include:

one or more instructions to change at least one visual characteristic of the one of the links within the document based on the determined score.

59. The computer-readable memory device of claim 55, further comprising:

one or more instructions to compare the determined score to a threshold; and

one or more instructions to delete the one of the links when the determined score for the one of the links falls below the threshold.

60. The computer-readable memory device of claim 55, wherein the links in the document point to a plurality of linked documents;

and

wherein the one or more instructions to determine the score for the one of the links further include;

one or more instructions to determine scores for one or more linking documents that contain links to the linked document pointed to by the one of the links,

one or more instructions to determine a score for the linked document based on the scores of the one or more linking documents, and

one or more instructions to associate the determined score for the linked document with the one of the links in the document.

61. The computer-readable memory device of claim 55, wherein the links in the document point to a plurality of linked documents;

and

wherein the one or more instructions to determine the score for the one of the links further include;

one or more instructions to determine a clickthrough rate for the linked document pointed to by the one of the links,

one or more instructions to determine a score for the linked document based on the determined clickthrough rate, and

one or more instructions to associate the determined score for the linked document with the one of the links in the document.

62. The computer-readable memory device of claim 55, wherein the links in the document point to a plurality of linked documents;

and

wherein the one or more instructions to determine the score for the one of the links further include;

one or more instructions to determine a measure of popularity associated with the linked document pointed to by the one of the links,

one or more instructions to determine a score for the linked document based on the determined measure of popularity, and

one or more instructions to associate the determined score for the linked document with the one of the links in the document.

63. The computer-readable memory device of claim 55, wherein the links in the document point to a plurality of linked documents;

and

wherein the one or more instructions to determine the score for the one of the links further include;

one or more instructions to receive input from a user,

one or more instructions to determine a score for the linked document pointed to by the one of the links based on the received input, and

one or more instructions to associate the determined score for the linked document with the one of the links in the document.

64. The computer-readable memory device of claim 55, wherein the one or more instructions to modify the document include:

one or more instructions to annotate the one of the links, within the document, based on the determined score for the one of the links.

65. The computer-readable memory device of claim 55, wherein the one or more instructions to modify the document include:

one or more instructions to determine that the determined score, for the one of the links, is greater than a particular threshold,

one or more instructions to identify additional information regarding a linked document pointed to by the one of the links when the determined score, for the one of the links, is greater than the particular threshold, and

one or more instructions to provide the additional information for the one of the links.

66. A computer-readable memory device storing instructions executable by at least one processor, the computer-readable memory device comprising:

one or more instructions to identify a document that is stored on a server in a network and that includes links to linked documents;

one or more instructions to determine scores for a plurality of the links in the identified document;

one or more instructions to compare the determined scores to a threshold;

one or more instructions to delete one of the plurality of links from the identified document when the determined score for the one of the links falls below the threshold; and

one or more instructions to provide, to a user, the identified document without the deleted link.

67. The computer-readable memory device of claim 66, wherein the one or more instructions to determine the scores include:

one or more instructions to determine, for each of the linked documents, scores for one or more linking documents that contain links to the linked document,

one or more instructions to determine a score for each of the linked documents based on the scores of the one or more linking documents, and

one or more instructions to associate the determined scores for the linked documents with the corresponding links in the identified document.

68. The computer-readable memory device of claim 66, wherein the one or more instructions to determine the scores include:

one or more instructions to determine a clickthrough rate for each of the linked documents,

one or more instructions to determine a score for each of the linked documents based on the determined clickthrough rates, and

one or more instructions to associate the determined scores for the linked documents with the corresponding links in the identified document.

69. The computer-readable memory device of claim 66, wherein the one or more instructions to determine the scores include:

one or more instructions to determine a measure of popularity associated with each of the linked documents,

one or more instructions to determine a score for each of the linked documents based on the determined measure of popularity, and

one or more instructions to associate the determined scores for the linked documents with the corresponding links in the identified document.

70. The computer-readable memory device of claim 66, wherein the one or more instructions to determine the scores include:

one or more instructions to receive input from the user,

one or more instructions to determine a score for each of the linked documents based on the received input, and

one or more instructions to associate the determined scores for the linked documents with the corresponding links in the identified document.

71. The computer-readable memory device of claim 70, wherein the one or more instructions to determine the score for each of the linked documents include:

one or more instructions to compare, for each of the linked documents, one or more words of the received input with a content of the linked document, and

one or more instructions to determine a score for the linked document based on a degree of match between the one or more words and the content of the linked document.

72. The computer-readable memory device of claim 66, further comprising:

one or more instructions to determine additional information regarding a linked document pointed to by the one of the plurality of links when the score for the one of the links does not fall below the threshold; and

one or more instructions to provide the identified document with the additional information to the user.

73. The computer-readable memory device of claim 66, wherein the one or more instructions to determine the scores include at least two of:

instructions to;

determine, for each of the linked documents, scores for one or more linking documents that contain links to the linked document,

determine a score for each of the linked documents based on the scores of the one or more linking documents, and

associate the determined scores for the linked documents with the corresponding links in the identified document;

instructions to;

determine a clickthrough rate for each of the linked documents,

determine a score for each of the linked documents based on the determined clickthrough rates, and

associate the determined scores for the linked documents with the corresponding links in the identified document;

instructions to;

determine a measure of popularity associated with each of the linked documents,

determine a score for each of the linked documents based on the determined measure of popularity, and

associate the determined scores for the linked documents with the corresponding links in the identified document;

or

instructions to;

receive input from the user,

determine a score for each of the linked documents based on the received input, and

associate the determined scores for the linked documents with the corresponding links in the identified document.

74. The computer-readable memory device of claim 66, further comprising:

one or more instructions to sort at least two of the plurality of links within the identified document based on the determined scores for the at least two of the plurality of links.

75. The computer-readable memory device of claim 66, further comprising:

one or more instructions to change at least one visual characteristic of a particular one of the plurality of links within the identified document based on the determined score for the particular one of the plurality of links.

76. The computer-readable memory device of claim 66, further comprising:

one or more instructions to annotate a particular one of the plurality of links, within the identified document, based on the determined score for the particular one of the plurality of links.

77. A computer-readable memory device storing instructions executable by at least one processor, the computer-readable memory device comprising:

one or more instructions to identify a document based on an address associated with the document, the document including links that point to linked documents;

one or more instructions to determine scores for a plurality of the links in the identified document;

one or more instructions to compare the determined scores to a threshold;

one or more instructions to determine that a score for one of the plurality of links is greater than the threshold;

one or more instructions to determine additional information regarding the linked document pointed to by the one of the plurality of links; and

one or more instructions to provide the identified document with the additional information to a user.

78. The computer-readable memory device of claim 77, further comprising:

one or more instructions to determine that a score for another one of the plurality of links is less than a particular threshold;

one or more instructions to delete the other one of the plurality of links from the identified document when the score for the other one of the plurality of links is less than the particular threshold; and

one or more instructions to provide, to a user, the identified document without the deleted link.

79. The computer-readable memory device of claim 77, wherein the one or more instructions to determine the scores include:

one or more instructions to determine, for each of the linked documents, scores for one or more linking documents that contain links to the linked document,

one or more instructions to determine a score for each of the linked documents based on the scores of the one or more linking documents, and

one or more instructions to associate the determined scores for the linked documents with the corresponding links in the identified document.

80. The computer-readable memory device of claim 77, wherein the one or more instructions to determine the scores include:

one or more instructions to determine a clickthrough rate for each of the linked documents,

one or more instructions to determine a score for each of the linked documents based on the determined clickthrough rates, and

one or more instructions to associate the determined scores for the linked documents with the corresponding links in the identified document.

81. The computer-readable memory device of claim 77, wherein the one or more instructions to determine the scores include:

one or more instructions to determine a measure of popularity associated with each of the linked documents,

one or more instructions to determine a score for each of the linked documents based on the determined measure of popularity, and

one or more instructions to associate the determined scores for the linked documents with the corresponding links in the identified document.

82. The computer-readable memory device of claim 77, wherein the one or more instructions to determine the scores include:

one or more instructions to receive input from the user,

one or more instructions to determine a score for each of the linked documents based on the received input, and

one or more instructions to associate the determined scores for the linked documents with the corresponding links in the identified document.

83. The computer-readable memory device of claim 82, wherein the one or more instructions to determine the score for each of the linked documents include:

one or more instructions to compare, for each of the linked documents, one or more words of the received input with a content of the linked document, and

one or more instructions to determine a score for the linked document based on a degree of match between the one or more words and the content of the linked document.

84. The computer-readable memory device of claim 77, wherein the additional information includes an excerpt from the linked document, a size of the linked document, or a date of last modification of the linked document.

85. The computer-readable memory device of claim 77, wherein the one or more instructions to determine the scores includes at least two of:

instructions to;

determine, for each of the linked documents, scores for one or more linking documents that contain links to the linked document,

determine a score for each of the linked documents based on the scores of the one or more linking documents, and

associate the determined scores for the linked documents with the corresponding links in the identified document;

instructions to;

determine a clickthrough rate for each of the linked documents,

determine a score for each of the linked documents based on the determined clickthrough rates, and

associate the determined scores for the linked documents with the corresponding links in the identified document;

instructions to;

determine a measure of popularity associated with each of the linked documents,

determine a score for each of the linked documents based on the determined measure of popularity, and

associate the determined scores for the linked documents with the corresponding links in the identified document;

or

instructions to;

receive input from the user,

determine a score for each of the linked documents based on the received input, and

associate the determined scores for the linked documents with the corresponding links in the identified document.

86. The computer-readable memory device of claim 77, further comprising:

one or more instructions to sort at least two of the plurality of links within the identified document based on the determined scores for the at least two of the plurality of links.

87. The computer-readable memory device of claim 77, further comprising:

one or more instructions to change at least one visual characteristic of a particular one of the plurality of links within the identified document based on the determined score for the particular one of the plurality of links.

88. The computer-readable memory device of claim 77, further comprising:

one or more instructions to annotate a particular one of the plurality of links, within the identified document, based on the determined score for the particular one of the plurality of links.