System and method for automatic detection of needy queries

A system for identifying needy queries for which additional responsive content is needed, the system comprising:

• a content server configured to provide content items, the content server comprising:
• a needy query component operative to:
• retrieve a plurality of content items in a result set identified as responsive to a query;
• generate a score for the plurality of content items identified as responsive to the query;
• calculate an average of the scores associated with the plurality of content items identified as responsive to the query
• determine the query is needy based upon a comparison of the calculated average of the scores with respect to a needy query score threshold, wherein a query is needy based on the calculated average of the scores associated with the plurality of content items failing to meet the needy query threshold;
• and
• identify additional content items responsive to the query to supplement the plurality of content items in the result set.

Non-transitory computer readable media comprising program code that when executed instructs a processor to perform a method for identifying needy queries for which additional responsive content is needed, the method comprising:

• instructions for retrieving a plurality of content items in a result set identified as responsive to a query;
• instructions for electronically generating, via a processing device, a score for the plurality of content items identified as responsive to the query;
• instructions for calculating an average of the scores associated with the plurality of content items identified as responsive to the query;
• instructions for determining the query is needy based upon a comparison of the calculated average of the scores with respect to a needy query score threshold, wherein a query is needy based on the calculated average of scores associated with the plurality of content items failing to meet the needy query threshold;
• and
• instructions for identifying additional content items responsive to the query to supplement the plurality of content items in the result set.