Generating a search result ranking function

A system comprising:

• a genetic algorithm module to:
• receive a plurality of factors, a test set of items, and an ordering solution representing a preferred ordering of the test set of items,
• generate a potential ranking function based on the plurality of factors,
• apply the potential ranking function to each item in the test set of items to generate an ordering of items associated with the potential ranking function,
• compare the ordering of items with the ordering solution, and
• identify, based on the result of the comparing, the potential ranking function as a solution ranking function;
• and
• a ranking module to assign a ranking score to items in a set of active items, the ranking scores assigned to the items determined based on the solution ranking function.

A machine-readable medium comprising stored instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause a machine to:

• receive a plurality of factors, a test set of items, and an ordering solution representing a preferred ordering of the test set of items;
• generate a potential ranking function based on the plurality of factors;
• apply, using a processor, the potential ranking function to each item in the test set of items to generate an ordering of items associated with the potential ranking function;
• compare the ordering of items with the ordering solution;
• identify, based on the result of the comparing, the potential ranking function as a solution ranking function;
• and
• assign a ranking score to items in a set of active items, the ranking scores assigned to the items determined based on the solution ranking function.