Abstract: A system and method for improving the relevance of search results is disclosed. Voters who may be human searchers or guides may review search results or other review items associated with a search request or other reference item. A review may be activated based on a usage indicator(s) which may improve utilization of guides. A vote by a voter may be weighted based on a voting history associated with the voter and one or more reference voters who may be designated by the system. A voter may be presented with a group of items for review including simultaneously. A number of comparison voting sessions or elections may be used to determine a rating or ranking of a review item associated with a reference item.

Abstract: A system allowing a query to be submitted to a server that locates a human searcher to perform a search. The searcher performs a search including using conventional tools, browser, and provides results to the user. A searcher who produces result(s) accepted by the user is rewarded and the results can be used when a similar query is submitted by another user. The searcher is located by comparing keywords of the query to keywords for which the searcher has registered and a high ranking searcher may be chosen by the system based on various factor(s). While the search is performed, information including videos, games, advertisements, etc., may be provided to the user based on keywords of the query and selection by the searcher. The reward for the searchers can be based on revenue from advertisements.

Abstract: A method and system of improving user experience in a human assisted search system is described. The disclosed method and system allows a search system to provide a personalized response to a user by utilizing interconnecting characteristics determined by the search system to be used. A search request or “query” may be processed automatically and/or utilizing the assistance of a human assistant.

Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for generating, storing, retrieving, and utilizing a search macro or shortcut link to a resource, such as a web site that provides access to an information database. The system may load a page into an application from the resource. The resource may have a Uniform Resource Identifier, and the page may have a search field that causes the application to generate a message when activated. The system may read the Uniform Resource Identifier insert a placeholder into the search field, and activate the search field, which causes the application to generate a message. The system may read the message and parse the message to isolate a search string containing the placeholder. The system may store the search string in a data structure, and may also store the Uniform Resource Identifier and associate it with the search string in the data structure.

Abstract: A system and method for targeting of content is based on indirect gathering of information of users. Activities of a user are recorded and may be aggregated to determine a profile of a user. When a request for content which indicates a publisher is received, a profile of a user and/or a publisher is determined and used to target content to a user.

Abstract: A method and system for qualifying keyword(s) or phrase(s) to formulate a query string for submitting a search request when the query string contains one or more keywords that may have multiple meanings associated therewith. Database information containing keywords and associated meanings or forms of the keywords is maintained and a requester is prompted to identify one or more of the meanings of a keyword when building the query string. One or more advertisements pertaining to the associated meanings or forms of the keywords in the query string is presented to the requester submitting a search request.

Abstract: A system and method for management of advertisements is described. Advertised results may be provided based on a ranking and a matching of an advertisement with a sponsored answer and/or an organic result to a query. An advertisement may be provided using a human assistant.

Abstract: A system and method for associating metadata such as a category, topic, tag, or named entity with an item is described. Metadata such as a named entity and a category associated with an item such as a search request may be used to select an item used to process a request. Metadata associated with an item may be used to index items such as responders, resources, etc. used to process an item and may be used to establish a prioritized selection of items.

Abstract: A system and method for allocating resources including responders for responding to a request is described. A resource may be allocated based on a request, a user, availability of a responder, availability of a paid responder, a value associated with responding to a request, and a type of resource which is used to respond. Resources may be directed to a request based on expected success, popularity of a request, expected and/or actual reuse of a request, a type of request and a type of information sought.

Abstract: A system and method for conducting interactive communications between users submitting requests and answerers responding to requests is described which includes simulation of a human responder. When a request is presented a responder may initiate a conversation when a user accepts a request for interaction and a user may be engaged by real time interactions. A user may initiate interactive communication with a responder associated with a responder if a conversation is accepted by a responder.

Abstract: A system and method for ranking topics for presentation to a responder is based on a corpus, requests and responder actions is described. A topic list is ranked based on correlation of topics, frequency of usage, registration frequency, response type and frequency. Topics are presented explicitly and/or implicitly to a responder based on a ranking of topic which is adjusted for the responder.

Abstract: A system and method for management of location based requests is described. A responder for a request may be selected based on a location associated with a request and a ranking or rating of a responder for a location. A location may be associated with a responder based on requests accepted by the responder, submitted by the responder, and/or otherwise associated with a location and a responder.

Abstract: A system and method for creating and utilizing content is described. Content is generated which includes a query and a response to the query. A primary query may be used to generate a plurality of variant queries which may be matched to a request. A content owner or curator may review a query, a response, and/or alternate queries, and may provide access to media which may be used to generate queries and responses.

Abstract: A system and method for responding to a request based on whether the request is seeking factual or subjective information is described. A subjective or objective type is assigned to a request based on automated and or human assisted evaluation. A response algorithm is optimized based on the subjective or objective type assigned to a request.

Abstract: A system and method for disambiguation of a query is provided. The system and method identifies elements of a query which may be ambiguous and assists a person to resolve any ambiguous elements. Algorithmic processing may provide auxiliary information which may be selectively presented with a query and/or a response to a query.

Abstract: A method and system are described for creating a recurring or triggered search request. A search request is associated with a condition which initiates an information search. A search result, including a search query associated with a search request and a condition may be provided to a user via any or all communication services and/or devices associated with the user. A tool is provided to enable a user to select an existing search request and/or search result which may be used to create a triggered or ‘favorite’ search query which may be triggered as designated. Triggered search requests may be suggested to a user using automated and/or human assisted techniques.

Abstract: A system and method of processing a request including improving usage and/or performance of resources is disclosed. Information relating to a user request may be provided to one or more resources which process the information and provide a result. A result and/or other information may be provided to a human assistant or guide who may process information to produce a result and/or review a result(s). Information provided by a guide may be processed and provided to a resource, which may improve the performance of a resource. A resource(s) and/or a guide(s) may be selected and/or provided with activities based on ratings and/or rankings associated with a request, which may optimize usage of system resources. Information obtained may be provided for various purposes.

Abstract: A system and method of providing information to improve efficiency of human searchers obtaining information on behalf of users is described. A first responder to a request is provided with specialized tools for responding to a request. An initial evaluation of a query may be used to determine the responder and the type of tools which will be provided initially. A toolset which allows rapid responses based on data resources, common queries, and contextual information of a user, a request, partially matching queries and previous responses to previous queries is used to improve the probability that a first responder may provide a suitable response to a query.

Abstract: A system and method for creating and utilizing content is described. Content is generated which includes a query and a response to the query. A primary query may be used to generate a plurality of variant queries which may be matched to a request. A content owner or curator may review a query, a response, and/or alternate queries, and may provide access to media which may be used to generate queries and responses.

Abstract: A method for enhancing search skills of human searchers in an information search system. The invention allows human searchers to be trained when they are not particularly busy fielding search queries from information seekers. The training can allow the searcher to increase their performance rating, thereby allowing greater effectiveness in fielding search queries for information seekers. The method can include determining whether a searcher is eligible to receive or provide training; and training an idle searcher with training queries, and/or search results.