Auto-refinement of search results based on monitored search activities of users
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
- obtaining search activity data relating to searches over a plurality of index-type search engines resulting in a particular location being accessed, wherein the searches comprise a submission of a search query to one of the plurality of index-type search engines, a return of search results associated with the search query, and a selection of a search result associated with the particular location, and wherein the search activity data comprises at least a plurality of different search queries submitted to the plurality of index-type search engines, wherein each of the plurality of index-type search engines comprises a proprietary index for generating search results;
analyzing the search activity data to generate statistical data regarding the plurality of different search queries, the statistical data encompassing search activities over the plurality of index-type search engines; and
updating, based on the statistical data, a search result ranking process of a particular one of the plurality of index-type search engines, wherein the statistical data is based on search activity data of searches conducted via at least one other index-type search engine.
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Abstract
A tracking system passively tracks and records searches conducted by actual search engine users. The recorded data for each search event preferably includes the search query submitted, the search engine used, the search result item (e.g., web page) selected, the position (e.g., page number) of this item, and the user'"'"'s IP address. The collected data is aggregated and analyzed to generate data regarding the search queries used to locate and access particular destinations (e.g., web pages and sites). This data may be used for various purposes, such as (1) to generate reports showing, e.g., how users reach a particular destination from different search engines and geographic locations, (2) to select content to display on a destination page, such that the content is relevant to search queries commonly used to locate that page, and (3) to update the database of one search engine to reflect searches conducted on other search engines.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
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obtaining search activity data relating to searches over a plurality of index-type search engines resulting in a particular location being accessed, wherein the searches comprise a submission of a search query to one of the plurality of index-type search engines, a return of search results associated with the search query, and a selection of a search result associated with the particular location, and wherein the search activity data comprises at least a plurality of different search queries submitted to the plurality of index-type search engines, wherein each of the plurality of index-type search engines comprises a proprietary index for generating search results; analyzing the search activity data to generate statistical data regarding the plurality of different search queries, the statistical data encompassing search activities over the plurality of index-type search engines; and updating, based on the statistical data, a search result ranking process of a particular one of the plurality of index-type search engines, wherein the statistical data is based on search activity data of searches conducted via at least one other index-type search engine. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 21, 22, 23)
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7. A computer-readable device having instructions embodied thereon, the instructions comprising:
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instructions to obtain search activity data relating to searches over a plurality of index-type search engines resulting in a particular location being accessed, wherein the searches comprise a submission of a search query to one of the plurality of index-type search engines, a return of search results associated with the search query, and a selection of a search result associated with the particular location, and wherein the search activity data comprises at least a plurality of different search queries submitted to the plurality of index-type search engines, wherein each of the plurality of index-type search engines comprises a proprietary index for generating search results; instructions to analyze the search activity data to generate statistical data regarding the plurality of different search queries, the statistical data encompassing search activities over the plurality of index-type search engines; and instructions to update, based on the statistical data, a search result ranking process of a particular one of the plurality of index-type search engines, wherein the statistical data is based on search activity data of searches conducted via at least one other index-type search engine. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A computing device comprising:
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one or more memories having stored thereon activity data relating to searches over a plurality of index-type search engines resulting in a particular location being accessed, wherein the searches comprise a submission of a search query to one of the plurality of index-type search engines, a return of search results associated with the search query, and a selection of a search result associated with the particular location, and wherein the search activity data comprises at least a plurality of different search queries submitted to the plurality of index-type search engines, wherein each of the plurality of index-type search engines comprises a proprietary index for generating search results; and an analyzer configured to; analyze the search activity data to generate statistical data regarding the plurality of different search queries, the statistical data encompassing search activities over the plurality of index-type search engines, and update, based on the statistical data, a search result ranking process of a particular one of the plurality of index-type search engines, wherein the statistical data is based on search activity data of searches conducted via at least one other index-type search engine. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A computing system comprising:
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means for obtaining, by the computing system, search activity data relating to searches over a plurality of index-type search engines resulting in a particular location being accessed, wherein the searches comprise a submission of a search query to one of the plurality of index-type search engines, a return of search results associated with the search query, and a selection of a search result associated with the particular location, and wherein the search activity data comprises at least a plurality of different search queries submitted to the plurality of index-type search engines, wherein each of the plurality of index-type search engines comprises a proprietary index for generating search results; means for analyzing, by the computing system, the search activity data to generate statistical data regarding the plurality of different search queries, the statistical data encompassing search activities over the plurality of index-type search engines; and means for updating, by the computing system and based on the statistical data, a search result ranking process of a particular one of the plurality of index-type search engines, wherein the statistical data is based on search activity data of searches conducted via at least one other index-type search engine. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification