Sorting social profile search results based on computing personal similarity scores

A computer program product comprising a non-transient computer useable medium including a computer readable program, wherein the computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to:

• receive a search query for a social profile from a user on an online community;
• in response to receiving the search query, retrieve a plurality of social profile results matching the search query and a search score for at least certain of the plurality of social profile results based on how closely a profile for the user making the search query match the plurality of social profile results;
• determine a plurality of personal similarity indications between the plurality of social profile results and the profile for the user, based on predetermined criteria for establishing similarity, wherein at least one of the predetermined criteria considers a similar time frame during which a personal occurrence between the user making the search query and at least one user associated with one of the plurality of social profile results is shared;
• assign a plurality of varying weights from a range of weights to each of the plurality of personal similarity indications identified for at least certain of the plurality of social profile results, based on a probability of the shared personal occurrence within the similar time frame and computing a personal similarity score for each of the social profile results based on an aggregation of the plurality of personal similarity indications and their associated weights;
• compute a total score based on the search score and the personal similarity score for the plurality of social profile results;
• and
• sort the plurality of social profile results based on the total score determined for each of the plurality of social profile results.

A system comprising:

• a processor, and;
• a memory storing instructions that, when executed, cause the system to:
• receive a search query for a social profile from a user on an online community;
• in response to receiving the search query, retrieve a plurality of social profile results matching the search query and a search score for at least certain of the plurality of social profile results based on how closely a profile for the user making the search query match the plurality of social profile results;
• determine a plurality of personal similarity indications between the plurality of social profile results and the profile for the user, based on predetermined criteria for establishing similarity, wherein at least one of the predetermined criteria considers a similar time frame during which a personal occurrence between the user making the search query and at least one user associated with one of the plurality of social profile results is shared;
• assign a select one of a plurality of varying weights from a range of weights to each of the plurality of personal similarity indications identified for at least certain of the plurality of social profile results, based on a probability of the shared personal occurrence within the similar time frame and computing a personal similarity score for each of the social profile results based on an aggregation of the plurality of personal similarity indications and their associated weights;
• compute a total score based on the search score and the personal similarity score for the plurality of social profile results;
• and
• sort the plurality of social profile results based on the total score.