Segmentation of search topics in query logs

A system for segmenting a session of queries comprising:

• a search log database operative to store search queries;
• and
• a segmenter coupled with the search log database, the segmenter further including:
• a receiver operative to receive a pair of queries from the search log database;
• a feature analyzer coupled with the receiver and operative to compare the pair of queries based on at least one feature;
• and
• an identifier coupled with the feature analyzer and operative to identify a goal boundary between the pair of queries when the at least one feature of the pair of queries indicates a change between the pair of queries;
• wherein the receiver is further operative to receive additional successive pairs of the stored search queries for identifying goal boundaries in the session of queries.

A method for determining goals and missions for a series of queries comprising:

• receiving the series of queries of a searching session;
• categorizing each of the series of queries into at least one goal and at least one mission, wherein the categorization is based on an edit feature comparing pairs of the queries;
• identifying a goal boundary in the series of queries when successive queries are categorized as having different goals;
• and
• identifying a mission boundary in the series of queries when successive queries are categorized as having different missions.

In a computer readable storage medium having stored therein data representing instructions executable by a programmed processor for identifying a boundary in a session of queries, the storage medium comprising instructions operative for:

• receiving the session of queries;
• selecting a pair of queries from the session of queries;
• comparing the pair of queries to identify whether the pair of queries is associated with a similar task, wherein the comparison comprises comparing at least one feature of each query in the pair of queries;
• and
• identifying a boundary between the pair when the pair is associated with different tasks based on the comparison.