Controlling use of negative features in a matching operation

A computer-readable storage medium for storing computer-readable instructions, the computer-readable instructions, when executed by one or more hardware processors, performing a method that comprises:

• receiving input from an administrative user, and providing output to the administrative user;
• extracting content from a web resource identified by the administrative user via the input that is received and then generating positive trigger information based on content that is extracted, the positive trigger information serving as a basis for determining when an input query, provided by an end user, qualifies as a match with a part of the web resource, the web resource corresponding to a web site that includes one or more web pages;
• supplying negative feature information, the negative feature information serving as a basis for determining when the input query is explicitly disqualified as a match with a part of the web resource;
• storing filtering information that includes the positive trigger information and the negative feature information;
• determining an impact of the negative feature information in disqualifying matching between input queries provided by end users and the positive trigger information, when the input queries contain the negative feature information input by the end users, to provide conflict output information;
• and
• instructing the negative feature-providing component to modify the negative feature information based on the conflict output information;
• wherein an item-matching system delivers information items to end users based on matching between the input queries and the positive trigger information, and based on consideration of the negative feature information, and
• wherein a performance-monitoring system monitors performance of the item-matching system, to generate performance information.

A method, performed by one or more computing devices, for providing information items to end users, comprising:

• receiving input from an administrative user, via an input device, that identifies a web resource against which matching is to be performed, the web resource corresponding to a web site that includes one or more web pages;
• generating positive trigger information associated with the web resource based on content extracted from the web resource, the positive trigger information serving as a basis for determining when an input query, provided by an end user, qualifies as a match with a part of the web resource;
• generating negative feature information associated with the web resource, the negative feature information serving as a basis for determining when the input query is explicitly disqualified as a match with a part of the web resource;
• storing filtering information in a data store that includes the positive trigger information and the negative feature information;
• determining an impact of the negative feature information in disqualifying matching between input queries submitted by end users and the positive trigger information when the input queries contain the negative feature information input by the end users, to provide conflict output information;
• modifying the negative feature information based on the conflict output information;
• delivering information items to the end users based on matching between the input queries and the positive trigger information, and based on consideration of the negative feature information;
• and
• monitoring performance of said delivering information items, to generate performance information.