System and method for detecting changes within search results

• US 8,290,941 B2
• Filed: 10/22/2010
• Issued: 10/16/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Reputation.com, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Vizibility Incorporated
• Inventors: Alexander, James
• Primary Examiner(s): LY, CHEYNE D
• Application Number:
  US12/910,539
• Publication Number:
  US 20110055190A1
• Time in Patent Office: 725 Days
• Field of Search: 707/723, 707/751, 715/232
• US Class Current: 707/723
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9566 URL specific, e.g. using aliases, detecting broken or misspelled links

Abstract

A user interface aids in creation of customized pre-defined queries that can be used for identifying particular search results relevant to a topic. Provision can be made to allow express inclusion or exclusion of certain results. Metrics relating to how much the pre-defined query focuses the search can be provided. A pre-defined query can be referenced by a URL, which can be distributed or referenced in content available in any number of locations. When results of the pre-defined search change, a contact associated with the search query can be notified. When a URL is activated, a redirect to the search engine with the customized query can occur, and the contact associated with the query can be notified of the usage of the pre-defined query. Metrics concerning sources of query usage can be produced, based on data gathered while serving the pre-defined query requests.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method executed by a processor relating to Internet searches, comprising:

providing a network address referencing a pre-defined query to be used with a search engine, the pre-defined query associated with an entity and with a first set of search results which were generated as search results by the search engine using the pre-defined query at a first time;

submitting the pre-defined query to the search engine at a second time which is later than the first time, receiving a current set of search results, and comparing a position of a search result in the current set of search results with a position of the search result in the first set of search results to yield a comparison change in position; and

producing an alert based on the comparison change in position, wherein the alert includes a user interface element that displays a relative direction for the change in position of the compared search result, and a numerical value indicating a number of position changes according to the relative direction of the compared search result.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the alert is produced responsive to the comparison.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the alert indicates that the current set of search results are different from the first set of search results.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein differences between the current set of search results and the first set of search results comprise at least one of a new result, a missing result, and a change in an ordering of results.

2. A non-transitory computer-readable media storing data and computer executable instructions, comprising:

data comprising a network address referencing a pre-defined query to be used with a search engine, the pre-defined query associated with an entity and with a stored first set of search results, generated by the search engine using the pre-defined query at a first time; and

computer executable instructions for submitting the pre-defined query to the search engine at a second time which is later than the first time, receiving a current set of search results, and comparing a position of a search result in the current set of search results with a position of the search result in the first set of search results to yield a comparison change in position; and

producing an alert based on the comparison change in position, wherein the alert includes a user interface element that displays a relative direction for the change in position of the compared search result, and a numerical value indicating a number of position changes according to the relative direction of the compared search result.

7. The product of claim 2, wherein the alert indicates that the current set of search results are different from the first set of search results.

8. The product of claim 7, wherein differences between the current set of search results and the first set of search results comprise at least one of a new result, a missing result, and a change in an ordering of results.

9. The product of claim 2, wherein the alert is produced responsive to one of user input and an automated periodic process.

3. An apparatus, comprising a memory storing data and computer executable instructions, comprising:

data comprising a network address referencing a pre-defined query to be used with a search engine, the pre-defined query associated with an entity and with a stored first set of search results, generated by the search engine using the pre-defined query at a first time;

computer executable instructions for submitting the pre-defined query to the search results, and comparing a position of a search result in the current set of search results with a position of the search result in the first set of search results to yield a comparison change in position; and

producing an alert based on the comparison change in position, wherein the alert includes a user interface element that displays a relative direction for the change in position of the compared search result, and a numerical value indicating a number of position changes according to the relative direction of the compared search result; and

a processor coupled with the memory for accessing one or more of the data and the computer executable instructions.

10. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the alert is produced responsive to one of user input and an automated periodic process.