System and method for influencing a position on a search result list generated by a computer network search engine
AssigneeOverture Services, Inc.
InventorThomas A. Soulanille
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for providing a search result list. The method includes receiving a search request from a searcher. In a database of search listings in which each search listing is associated with an advertiser and includes at least one search term and a bid amount by the advertiser, search listings generating a match with the search request are identified. A predetermined number of identified search listings are selected according to bid amount for display to the searcher. The identified search listings are arranged for display in a random order as the search result list. The search result list is then communicated to the searcher.
Claims6
A method for providing a search result list, the method comprising:
- receiving a search request from a searcher;
- in a database of search listings, each search listing being associated with an advertiser and including at least one search term and a bid amount modifiably bid by the advertiser, identifying search listings having search terms generating a match with the search request;
- selecting according to bid amount no more than a predetermined number of identified search listings for display to the searcher;
- arranging as the search result list the identified search listings for display in a random order weighted according to the bid amount associated with each respective identified search listing, included
- for each identified search listing, comparing the bid amount for the each search listing with a value weighted by a random number,
- if the bid amount for the identified search listing does not exceed the value weighted by the random number, moving the identified search listing to the search result list;
- and
- communicating the search result list to the searcher.
A method for providing a search result list, the method comprising:
- receiving a search request from a searcher;
- in a database of search listings, each search listing being associated with an advertiser and including at least one search term and a bid amount modifiably bid by the advertiser, identifying search listings having search terms generating a match with the search request;
- selecting according to bid amount no more than a predetermined number of identified search listings for display to the searcher;
- arranging as the search result list the identified search listings for display, including
- (a) for each selected search listing, determining a sorting variable T, where T=Q−S, where Q is equal to the number of selected search listings and S is a predefined display parameter;
- (b) comparing the sorting variable to a random number;
- (c) if the sorting variable exceeds the random number, moving the each selected search listing to the search result list, otherwise
- (d) modifying the value of Q and determining the sorting variable,
- (e) repeating (a), (b) (c), and (d) until the sorting variable exceeds the random number;
- and
- communicating the search result list to the searcher.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.