Collaborative user query refinement

A computer-readable storage medium encoded with a computer program comprising instructions that, when executed, operate to cause a computer to perform operations comprising:

• receiving multiple series of queries;
• determining that each of the multiple series of queries were submitted by a user when seeking information that satisfies a single information need;
• determining that a starting point of each of the multiple series of queries is the same, the starting point being at least one query submitted chronologically before other queries included in the multiple series of queries;
• determining that an end point of at least some of the multiple series of queries differs, the end point being at least one query submitted chronologically after the at least one query representing the starting point;
• in response to the determination that the starting point of each of the multiple series of queries is the same and the determination that the ending point of at least some of the multiple series of queries differs:
• identifying a subset of end points of the multiple series of queries that excludes at least the end point found in a minimum number of the multiple series of queries;
• and
• generating a query reformulation path that associates the starting point with the subset of end points;
• and
• storing the generated query reformulation path to enable presentation of the subset of end points in response to receipt of the at least one query representing the starting point.

A system comprising:

• at least one computer;
• and
• at least one computer-readable medium coupled to the at least one computer having instructions stored thereon which, when executed by the at least one computer, cause the at least one computer to perform operations comprising:
• receiving multiple series of queries:
• determining that each of the multiple series of queries were submitted by a user when seeking information that satisfies a single information need;
• determining that a starting point of each of the multiple series of queries is the same, the starting point being at least one query submitted chronologically before other queries included in the multiple series of queries;
• determining that an end point of at least some of the multiple series of queries differs, the end point being at least one query submitted chronologically after the at least one query representing the starting point;
• in response to the determination that the starting point of each of the multiple series of queries is the same and the determination that the ending point of at least some of the multiple series of queries differs:
• identifying a subset of end points of the multiple series of queries that excludes at least the end point found in a minimum number of the multiple series of queries;
• and
• generating a query reformulation path that associates the starting point with the subset of end points;
• and
• storing the generated query reformulation path to enable presentation of the subset of end points in response to receipt of the at least one query representing the starting point.