Abstract: A search system performs item retrieval using search query categorization that matches query intent. Category embeddings are generated for categories based on hierarchical data and search information. For instance, the category embeddings can be generated using information regarding hierarchical relationships between the categories, co-occurring relationships between categories identified from search information, and initial embeddings that encode query-related information for each category. Category clusters can be formed using the category embeddings. When a search query is received, one or more categories are identified from a category cluster and used for selecting search results for the search query.

Abstract: Search queries are received and search results are provided. Interaction tracking is used to determine with which search results users interact. The search results having received interactions can be represented as item vectors, which can include a vector representation of a portion of the search result, such as a title, description, or image. For each search query, the item vectors are aggregated, such as by averaging the item vectors. The search queries are stored in an item dataset as collected search queries respectively associated with the aggregate item vectors. When a new search query is received, a search query vector can be compared to the aggregate item description vectors to identify collected search queries that are related. The related collected search queries can be provided as search query recommendations or search results associated with the collected search queries can be provided in response to receiving the new search query.

Abstract: Techniques for determining an editable query which, when executed, identifies and presents a set of member profiles similar to a source member profile are described. In an embodiment, a preliminary set of member profiles similar to a source member profile is identified. A set of profile features is obtained from the preliminary set of similar member profiles, and a set of relevant profile features is extracted from the set of profile features. An editable query including the set of relevant profile features is presented. In an embodiment, the set of member profiles similar to the source member profile and corresponding to the set of relevant profile features is also presented. Upon having been edited, the editable query is executable to identify and present a new set of member profiles corresponding to the edited query.

Abstract: Techniques for assisting a user in conducting a search for online content are described. According to various embodiments, a set of search results is generated, in response to a user search query. A list of candidate facet-value pairs, for inclusion in a suggestion facet user interface element for display in-line with the set of search results, is then accessed. The suggestion facet user interface element may be configured, upon user selection, to filter the set of search results based on the corresponding facet-value pair. Thereafter, win rate information identifying win rates associated with each of the candidate facet-value pairs is accessed. A specific one of the candidate facet-value pairs having the highest win rate is then selected for inclusion in the suggestion facet user interface element.

Abstract: Techniques for analyzing a social graph of a social network service to identify and then present connection paths connecting various entities are described. With some embodiments, subsequent to a user selecting or otherwise identifying a person to whom a message is to be communicated, a social graph is analyzed to identify connection paths connecting the message sender, or an entity on whose behalf the message sender is acting, to the message recipient. The social graph is implemented with a graph data structure having nodes and edges representing entities and associations between entities, respectively. With some embodiments, the nodes represent people, companies, educational institutions (e.g., schools, universities, etc.), and groups. After identifying the connection paths, the connection path having the highest path score, as derived by aggregating edge scores assigned to the edges, may be presented.

Abstract: Disclosed in one example is a method for searching. In some examples, the method includes receiving an unstructured search query, parsing the unstructured search query into a plurality of structured search attributes using a search term attribute dictionary, performing a search of a structured database based upon the plurality of structured search attributes to identify a plurality of search results, populating a plurality of form fields of a search form with the plurality of structured search attributes, and displaying the search form in association with the search results.

Abstract: Techniques for determining an editable query which, when executed, identifies and presents a set of member profiles similar to a source member profile are described. In an embodiment, a preliminary set of member profiles similar to a source member profile is identified. A set of profile features is obtained from the preliminary set of similar member profiles, and a set of relevant profile features is extracted from the set of profile features. An editable query including the set of relevant profile features is presented. In an embodiment, the set of member profiles similar to the source member profile and corresponding to the set of relevant profile features is also presented. Upon having been edited, the editable query is executable to identify and present a new set of member profiles corresponding to the edited query.

Abstract: Techniques for assisting a user in conducting a search for online content are described. According to various embodiments, a set of search results is generated, in response to a user search query. A list of candidate facet-value pairs, for inclusion in a suggestion facet user interface element for display in-line with the set of search results, is then accessed. The suggestion facet user interface element may be configured, upon user selection, to filter the set of search results based on the corresponding facet-value pair. Thereafter, win rate information identifying win rates associated with each of the candidate facet-value pairs is accessed. A specific one of the candidate facet-value pairs having the highest win rate is then selected for inclusion in the suggestion facet user interface element.

Abstract: Method and system to generate structured queries is described. The system may be configured to examine an input string submitted by a user via a search box and present suggestions that may include references to entities grouped by entity type. The search system examines the input string, determines one or more entity types that may correspond to the input string, and provides suggestions that may be the form of one or more of keywords and also in the form of values of or references to typed entities.

Abstract: Method and system to assist a user in formulating a search query is described. The system may provide suggested entities, entity types, and relationship operators to a user and interactively build a complex structured query. Complex structured queries may include a combination of one or more entities and entity types, together with one or more relationship operators.

Abstract: Method and system to assist a user in formulating a search query is described. The system may be configured to examine an input string submitted by a user via a search box and present suggestions in the form of structured queries, determine an entity and an entity type that corresponds to the input string and generate search suggestions in the form of complex structured queries. The generated query may be presented on a display device of a user.

Abstract: Method and system to present suggested facets is described. The system includes a search request detector, a search results generator, a facet selector, and a presentation module. The search request detector detects a search request comprising search criteria. The search results generator 220 retrieves search results based on the search criteria. The facet selector selects a suggested facet from a plurality of facets, where a facet represents a category may have a variable value and indicates a filter for refining search results. The presentation module generates a list of items that includes search results and the suggested facet.

Abstract: Disclosed in one example is a method for searching. In some examples, the method includes receiving an unstructured search query, parsing the unstructured search query into a plurality of structured search attributes using a search term attribute dictionary, performing a search of a structured database based upon the plurality of structured search attributes to identify a plurality of search results, populating a plurality of form fields of a search form with the plurality of structured search attributes, and displaying the search form in association with the search results.

Abstract: Disclosed in one example is a method for searching. In some examples, the method includes receiving an unstructured search query, parsing the unstructured search query into a plurality of structured search attributes using a search term attribute dictionary, performing a search of a structured database based upon the plurality of structured search attributes to identify a plurality of search results, populating a plurality of form fields of a search form with the plurality of structured search attributes, and displaying the search form in association with the search results.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, computer-program product and method are provided for identifying members of a particular user segment. One particular user segment of interest includes members who work for employers having a number of employees within a predetermined range. Members of an online service provide data purporting to identify their employers and/or other personal or professional attributes. The data entries are normalized by standardizing terms, removing superfluous or unneeded terms, and/or performing other processing. The members are then clustered according to their normalized employer names, and members within clusters that have sizes within the range are added to the user segment. Invalid employer names (e.g., fictitious companies, non-existent entities) may be filtered out. Within a cluster, a professional social networking site (or other site) may be analyzed to determine if the clustered members have developed relationships; if not, the cluster may be cancelled.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that calculate the interestingness of a set of one or more records in a database, either absolutely (i.e., compared to an overall collection of records) or relative to some other set of records. In one embodiment, the measure is a relative entropy value that has been normalized. Various applications of the measure are described in the context of an information retrieval system. These applications include, for example, guiding query interpretation, guiding view selection and summarization, intelligent ranges, event detection, concept triggers and interpreting user actions, hierarchy discovery, and adaptive data mining.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, computer-program product and method are provided for identifying members of a particular user segment. One particular user segment of interest includes members who work for employers having a number of employees within a predetermined range. Members of an online service provide data purporting to identify their employers and/or other personal or professional attributes. The data entries are normalized by standardizing terms, removing superfluous or unneeded terms, and/or performing other processing. The members are then clustered according to their normalized employer names, and members within clusters that have sizes within the range are added to the user segment. Invalid employer names (e.g., fictitious companies, non-existent entities) may be filtered out. Within a cluster, a professional social networking site (or other site) may be analyzed to determine if the clustered members have developed relationships; if not, the cluster may be cancelled.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that calculate the interestingness of a set of one or more records in a database, either absolutely (i.e., compared to an overall collection of records) or relative to some other set of records. In one embodiment, the measure is a relative entropy value that has been normalized. Various applications of the measure are described in the context of an information retrieval system. These applications include, for example, guiding query interpretation, guiding view selection and summarization, intelligent ranges, event detection, concept triggers and interpreting user actions, hierarchy discovery, and adaptive data mining.

Abstract: Methods and systems that enable searching with clustering in information access systems are described. The methods of clustering operate on a collection of materials wherein each item in the collection may be associated with one or more properties. An original subset of materials is selected from the collection and relevant properties associated with the subset of materials are clustered into property clusters. Each property cluster generally contains properties that are more similar to each other than to properties in a different property cluster. The property clusters can be used to respond to the query. A mapping function can be used to identify a set of materials that correspond to each property cluster based on the associations between individual items and properties. The property clusters can also be used for iterative query refinement.

Abstract: A data-driven information navigation system and method enable search and analysis of a set of objects or other materials by certain common attributes that characterize the materials, as well as by relationships among the materials. The invention includes several aspects of a data-driven information navigation system that employs this navigation mode. The navigation system of the present invention includes features of a knowledge base, a navigation model that defines and enables computation of a collection of navigation states, a process for computing navigation states that represent incremental refinements relative to a given navigation state, and methods of implementing the preceding features.