Accounting for behavioral variability in web search

• US 20080281817A1
• Filed: 09/26/2007
• Published: 11/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Drucker, Steven M., White, Ryen William, Burges, Christopher J.C., Brill, Eric
• Granted Patent: US 7,743,047 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/6
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9535 Search customisation based on user profiles and personalisation

Abstract

The concept of variability pertains to whether users exhibit consistent search interaction patterns, for example, in terms of interaction flow or information targeted. Methods are provided for analyzing variability, and then adapting search-related functionality (e.g., processes and/or interfaces) to account for variability characteristics, for example, to account for predictable search interaction behavior.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for modifying a user'"'"'s search experience, the method comprising:

obtaining a collection of data that is indicative of commands initiated by the user during the process of conducting one or more search engine-facilitated searches;

determining a behavioral variability classification based on a pattern reflected within the collection of data; and

customizing the user'"'"'s experience with a search process to accommodate the behavioral variability classification.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining a collection of data comprises obtaining a collection of data that includes data indicative of hyperlink navigation conducted by the user.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining a collection of data comprises obtaining a collection of data that includes data indicative of queries initiated by the user.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining a collection of data comprises obtaining a collection of data that includes one or more browser trails indicative of interaction between the user and a browser application.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the collection of data identifies a subset of interactions within a browser trail as being a search trail.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a behavioral variability classification comprises determining based at least in part on an assumption related to an interaction pattern.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a behavioral variability classification comprises determining based at least in part on an assumption related to interaction features.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a behavioral variability classification comprises determining based at least in part on an assumption related to domain visitation data.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein customizing the user'"'"'s experience comprises providing a customized search interface.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein customizing the user'"'"'s experience comprises providing a customized search result interface.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein customizing the user'"'"'s experience comprises providing customized advertising.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein customizing the user'"'"'s experience comprises providing customized search tools.

13. A computer-implemented method for modifying a search experience, the method comprising:

obtaining a collection of data that is indicative of user-initiated commands initiated during the process of conducting one or more search engine-facilitated searches;

determining a behavioral variability classification of a particular query based on a pattern reflected within the collection of data;

receiving a subsequent query that is determined to be equivalent in some way to the particular query;

customizing a response to the subsequent query to accommodate the behavioral variability classification.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein obtaining a collection of data comprises obtaining a collection of data that includes data indicative of hyperlink navigation associated with the particular query.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein determining a behavioral variability classification comprises determining (204) based at least in part on an assumption related to domain visitation data.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein customizing comprises providing a customized search interface.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein customizing comprises providing a customized search result interface.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein customizing comprises providing customized advertising.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein customizing comprises providing customized search tools.

20. A computer-implemented system for modifying a search experience, comprising:

a variance characterization component that determines a behavioral variability classification based on a pattern reflected within a collection of data that is indicative of commands initiated by a user during the process of conducting one or more search engine-facilitated searches;

a search customization component that customizes a user'"'"'s experience with a search process to accommodate the behavioral variability classification.