System and method for influencing a position on a search result list generated by a computer network search engine

A method of generating a search result list in response to a user submitting a search request to a search engine operating over a computer network, comprising:

• maintaining a database including a plurality of network information provider listings, wherein each listing is associated with at least one search term, a money amount and a network information provider;
• receiving a search request entered by a user;
• identifying at least some network information provider listings having a search term generating a match with the search request received from the user;
• displaying to the user a search result list including at least some of the identified network information provider listings;
• and
• upon receiving a retrieval request from the user to retrieve information associated with a network information provider listing selected from the result list, charging to an account of a network information provider associated with the selected listing the money amount associated with the listing;
• wherein a network information provider is provided with online authenticated login access permitting the network information provider to modify the money amount associated with a listing of the network information;
• and
• at the request of a network information provider provided with login access, automatically estimating the cost of including a network information provider listing in the database for a specified time period.

An online method for an information provider to automatically update information relating to a listing includable in a result list generated by a computer network server, wherein the listing is stored and is associated with at least one keyword, a money amount, and the information provider;

• the result list is generated by the server in response to a user entering a keyword;
• keywords associated with the listings in the result list match the user keyword;
• the listings in the result list are ordered at least in part on the basis of the money amounts of the respective listings;
• and a request from the user to retrieve information associated with a selected listing from the result list causes a charge to an account of the information provider associated with the selected listing in the money amount associated with the selected listing, the method comprising:
• navigating the computer network to a network location of the server;
• accessing at least one listing associated with the information provider through an authenticated login procedure;
• requesting the server to modify the money amount with the access listing;
• and
• requesting and receiving from the server a cost estimate for including a listing among the stored listings for a specified time period.