Automated classification and time-based relevancy prioritization of electronic mail items

A computer-implemented method for classifying and prioritizing an electronic message, comprising:

• parsing the electronic message for identifying and extracting attributes for classifying the electronic message;
• classifying the electronic message to a message category based on at least one extracted attribute;
• identifying a time-sensitivity associated with the electronic message based on at least one extracted attribute;
• and
• annotating the electronic message with metadata identifying the message category and the associated time-sensitivity for displaying the electronic message based on the classification and based on relevancy to a receiving user based on the time-sensitivity.

A computer storage medium including instructions, which when executed by a computer, provides:

• a server-side message classification and time-based relevancy prioritization system operative to:
• receive an electronic message;
• extract one or more objects from the electronic message for determining a message category related to the electronic message and for determining a time-sensitivity associated with the electronic message;
• classify the electronic message to the message category based on the one or more objects;
• determine the time-sensitivity associated with the electronic message based on the one or more objects;
• annotate the electronic message with metadata identifying the message category and the time-sensitivity;
• and
• a client-side message classification and time-based relevancy prioritization system operative to:
• receive the electronic message comprising the metadata;
• determine a relevancy of the electronic message based on the metadata, wherein the relevancy is determined based on whether the one or more objects used to determine the time-sensitivity of the electronic message are associated with a date occurring prior to a current date, on the current date, after the current date, or within a predetermined time period from the current date according to the message category;
• filter the electronic message into the message category based on the metadata;
• update a user interface to display the message category including the electronic message;
• and
• perform an action on the electronic message based on the relevancy of the electronic message.