System and method for web-based content categorization

A method for categorizing web pages comprising:

• receiving a content pointer request for categorization;
• selecting a first categorization algorithm from a plurality of categorization algorithms, each of the categorization algorithms for providing a category result for a content pointer according to one of a plurality of rules, each rule comprising a matching expression and associated categorization information;
• applying the selected first categorization algorithm to the requested content pointer;
• determining if the selected first categorization algorithm provided a category result for the requested content pointer;
• and
• selecting an other categorization algorithm to apply to the requested content pointer when it is determined that the first categorization algorithm did not provide the category result.

A computer readable memory comprising instructions for providing a method for categorizing web pages comprising:

• receiving a content pointer request for categorization;
• selecting a first categorization algorithm from a plurality of categorization algorithms, each of the categorization algorithms for providing a category result for a content pointer according to one of a plurality of rules, each rule comprising a matching expression and associated categorization information;
• applying the selected first categorization algorithm to the requested content pointer;
• determining if the selected first categorization algorithm provided a category result for the requested content pointer;
• and
• selecting an other categorization algorithm to apply to the requested content pointer when it is determined that the first categorization algorithm did not provide the category result.