System for modifying queries before presentation to a sponsored search generator or other matching system where modifications improve coverage without a corresponding reduction in relevance

A computer system designed to modify a query before presenting the query to a matching system, the computer system comprising:

• one or more processors;
• and
• one or more storage media storing instructions which, when executed by the one or more one or more processors, causes:
• storing a plurality of sponsored links;
• receiving selection information that identifies which of a plurality of predefined query strings are to be associated with each of the plurality of sponsored links;
• based on the selection information, storing data that indicates a correspondence between said plurality of predefined query strings and said plurality of sponsored links;
• after (i) storing the plurality of sponsored links, (ii) receiving the selection information, and (iii) storing the data, receiving a query to initiate a performance of a search;
• modifying the query, to produce a modified query, using rules designed to increase a chance that the modified query matches one or more of the plurality of predefined query strings;
• identifying at least one predefined query string, of the plurality of predefined query strings, that matches the modified query;
• returning at least one of the sponsored links to which said at least one predefined query string corresponds.