System and method for providing a search entity-based payment process

A system comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a computer-readable storage medium storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:
• presenting an input field on a user interface of a generalized search entity, wherein the generalized search entity processes data using a generalized search engine that indexes and searches both merchant sites and non-merchant sites;
• receiving user input in the input field;
• determining, via a processor, whether the user input corresponds to a product in a product database to yield a determination;
• and
• when the determination indicates that the user input does not correspond to the product in the product database:
• presenting a search result comprising a non-merchant site;
• receiving a search interaction associated with the non-merchant site;
• and
• transitioning to the non-merchant site;
• and
• when the determination indicates that the user input does correspond to the product in the product database:
• presenting a purchase-related search result, wherein the purchase-related search result is configured such that when a user interacts with the purchase-related search result and confirms a purchase associated with the purchase-related search result, the generalized search entity initiates a purchasing process for the product.

A method comprising:

• providing, via a processor, a database of products from a merchant to a generalized search entity;
• and
• receiving a payment for a product sold by the merchant, the product being purchased on-line by a user, wherein the product is found and purchased by the user by operations performed by the generalized search entity, the operations comprising:
• presenting an input field on a user interface, wherein the generalized search entity processes data using a generalized search engine that indexes and searches both merchant sites and non-merchant sites;
• receiving, in the input field, user input from the user;
• determining whether the user input corresponds to a product in the database of products to yield a determination;
• and
• when the determination indicates that the user input does not correspond to the product in the database of products:
• presenting a search result comprising a non-merchant site;
• receiving a search interaction associated with the non-merchant site;
• and
• transitioning to the non-merchant site;
• and
• when the determination indicates that the user input does correspond to the product in the database of products:
• presenting a purchase-related search result for the product, wherein the purchase-related search result is configured such that when a user interacts with the purchase-related search result and confirms the payment associated with the product in the purchase-related search result, the generalized search entity initiates a purchasing process for the product.

A method comprising:

• presenting an input field on a user interface of a generalized search entity, wherein the generalized search entity processes data using a generalized search engine that indexes and searches both merchant sites and non-merchant sites;
• receiving user input in the input field;
• determining, via a processor, whether the user input corresponds to a product in a product database to yield a determination;
• and
• when the determination indicates that the user input does not correspond to the product in the product database:
• presenting a search result comprising a non-merchant site;
• receiving a search interaction associated with the non-merchant site;
• and
• transitioning to the non-merchant site;
• and
• when the determination indicates that the user input does correspond to the product in the product database:
• presenting a purchase-related search result comprising a presentation of an option to purchase the product via a first process managed by the generalized search entity or to purchase the product by a second process of being transitioned to a merchant site to purchase the product.

A method comprising:

• presenting an input field on a user interface of a generalized search entity, wherein the generalized search entity processes data using a generalized search engine that indexes and searches both merchant sites and non-merchant sites;
• receiving user input in the input field;
• determining, via a processor, whether the user input corresponds to a product in a product database to yield a determination;
• and
• when the determination indicates that the user input does not correspond to the product in the product database:
• presenting a search result comprising a non-merchant site;
• receiving a search interaction associated with the non-merchant site;
• and
• transitioning to the non-merchant site;
• and
• when the determination indicates that the user input does correspond to the product in the product database:
• presenting a purchase-related search result comprising a presentation of an option to purchase the product via a process managed by the generalized search entity;
• and
• upon a purchase of the product by a user, as managed by the generalized search entity, charging, by the generalized search entity, a service fee.

A method comprising:

• presenting an input field on a user interface of a generalized search entity, wherein the generalized search entity processes data using a generalized search engine that indexes and searches both merchant sites and non-merchant sites;
• receiving user input in the input field;
• determining, via a processor, whether the user input corresponds to a product in a product database to yield a determination;
• and
• when the determination indicates that the user input does not correspond to the product in the product database:
• presenting a search result comprising a non-merchant site;
• receiving a search interaction associated with the non-merchant site;
• and
• transitioning, based on the search interaction, to the non-merchant site;
• and
• when the determination indicates that the user input does correspond to the product in the product database:
• presenting a plurality of search results comprising a first product advertisement configured according to a first type of advertisement, wherein the first product advertisement, when selected by a user, is configured to transition the user to a merchant site associated with the first product advertisement such that the user interacts with the merchant site to make a payment for a first product;
• and
• presenting, as part of the plurality of search results, a second product advertisement configured according to a second type of advertisement, wherein the second product advertisement, when selected by the user, is configured to enable a purchase of a second product, wherein the purchase of the second product is managed by the generalized search entity using payment data for the user that is stored with the generalized search entity.