Map-based selection of query component

A method of processing a query, the method comprising:

• using a processor to perform acts comprising:
• determining that a query received from a user is amenable to a geographic constraint;
• based on said determining, transmitting a map interface to said user to cause said map interface to be displayed on a device of said user;
• receiving said user's indication of a first geographic constraint, said first geographic constraint being indicated by said user's identifying a first boundary of a non-point region on said map interface;
• using an index of documents that are indexed by geographic location to find first results such that each of said first results is associated with a location that satisfies said first geographic constraint;
• and
• providing said first results to said user to cause said first results to be displayed on said device.

A system for processing a query, the system comprising:

• a memory;
• a processor;
• and
• a search engine component that is stored in said memory, that executes on said processor, that receives said query from a user, that determines that said query is amenable to a geographic constraint, that causes a map interface to be displayed to said user based on said search engine component's having determined that said query is amenable to a geographic constraint, that receives said user's indication of a first geographic constraint that is indicated by said user's identifying a first boundary of a non-point region on said map interface, that finds first results such that each of said first results satisfies said query and is associated with a location that satisfies said geographic constraint, and that causes said first results to be displayed to said user.