Abstract: A system that employs an explicitly and/or implicitly trained model in order to return entity-specific computer-based search results is provided. The innovation can provide for a customized search model that focuses search in connection with achieving information that is meaningful with respect to goals of an entity. The model can be used to modify a search query in accordance with a goal of the entity or to generate the search query thereby returning meaningful and/or targeted results to the user. The system can automatically gather entity-related data thereafter determining or inferring a goal as well as training the model. Moreover, the system can selectively configure (e.g., order, rank, filter) and render results to a user based upon the model.

Abstract: A system that incorporates a user context into a computer-based search is provided. To establish the context, the innovation can identify information about a user state or context via a variety of sources and sensors. The state/context information can be used to filter, arrange and/or rank search results so as to facilitate converging on meaningful searches and results. Machine learning systems (implicitly and/or explicitly trained) can be employed to infer a current and/or future context related to user. An identified or inferred user context can be employed to modify an automated or user-defined search input/query. Contextual cues can be considered directly in the construction and use of context of context-sensitive retrieval algorithms that are optimized for identifying and/or ranking of informational items of potential interest or value in different contexts. As well, the context can be employed to intelligently render results of a query (e.g., user/application defined, context-modified query).

Abstract: Architecture that facilitates online advertising taking on characteristics of a commodities market approach to purchasing advertising space, options for ad space and a futures market for online ad space. Available advertising space is identified and aggregated, and subsets of the aggregated ad space are offered for purchase using a commodities market-based approach. The architecture facilitates revenue-sharing paradigms, coupon delivery, targeted advertising, point-of-sale transactions, inventory control, just-in-time delivery of ads, content and product/services, value-based advertising models, etc. The architecture comprises an aggregation component that aggregates advertisement space information associated with online advertisements, and a transaction component that facilitates transacting subsets of the aggregated advertisement space information to bidders as a function of supply and demand.

Abstract: A system that can analyze a multi-dimensional input thereafter establishing a search query based upon extracted features from the input. In a particular example, an image can be used as an input to a search mechanism. Pattern recognition and image analysis can be applied to the image thereafter establishing a search query that corresponds to features extracted from the image input. The system can also facilitate indexing multi-dimensional searchable items thereby making them available to be retrieved as results to a search query. More particularly, the system can employ text analysis, pattern and/or speech recognition mechanisms to extract features from searchable items. These extracted features can be employed to index the searchable items.

Abstract: The innovation provides for a computer search to become an action that has direct nexus to an inferred (or determined) goal of an individual. The goal can be inferred or determined from any number of context/state factors. The innovation can query a user to determine user context and state factors by which a goal, objective or intent can be automatically established. The innovation can also utilize machine learning/reasoning to establish the goal of a user based upon historical, statistical and/or other probabilistic analysis. Still further, the innovation can monitor a user's context and state thereafter dynamically journaling and logging the criterion by which the user's objective(s) can be established. Once a goal is established, a goal-based search can be automatically conducted thereafter prompting for an action based upon a subset of the search results.

Abstract: The subject disclosure pertains to anonymous network interaction. More specifically, mechanisms are provided to ensure anonymity with respect network interaction such that third parties are unable to determine the source and/or intent of communications. Accordingly, entities can anonymize all outgoing and/or incoming data packets so as to mitigate outside entities from learning about information being sought and/or provided. For example, a user or corporation can employ an anonymizer with respect to web searching so that outside entities are not able to determine what information is attempted to be accessed and by whom.

Abstract: Architecture that monitors interaction data (e.g., search queries, query results and click-through rates), and provides users with links to other users that fall into similar categories with respect to the foregoing monitored activities (e.g., providing links to individuals and groups that share common interests and/or profiles). A search engine can be interactively coupled with one or more social networks, and that maps individuals and/or groups within respective social networks to subsets of categories associated with searches. A database stores mapped information which can be continuously updated and reorganized as links within the system mapping become stronger or weaker. The architecture can comprise a social network system that includes a database for mapping search-related information to an entity of a social network, and a search component for processing a search query for search results and returning a link to an entity of a social network based on the search query.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for automatically displaying a search-refinement user interface based on structure identified in search results in response to unstructured search queries. A list of search results obtained by a search engine is analyzed to determined whether a structure threshold is satisfied. If the threshold is met, then search-refinement options are displayed on a common display with the search results to allow the user to filter the search results according to the structure identified in the results. The user interface can receive filter and sort requests from the user to further refine the search results based on overlapping schema attributes or other shared-structure elements identified in the search results.

Abstract: The innovation provides for a computer search to become an action that has direct nexus to an inferred (or determined) goal of an individual. The goal can be inferred or determined from any number of context/state factors. The innovation can query a user to determine user context and state factors by which a goal, objective or intent can be automatically established. The innovation can also utilize machine learning/reasoning to establish the goal of a user based upon historical, statistical and/or other probabilistic analysis. Still further, the innovation can monitor a user's context and state thereafter dynamically journaling and logging the criterion by which the user's objective(s) can be established. Once a goal is established, a goal-based search can be automatically conducted thereafter prompting for an action based upon a subset of the search results.

Abstract: A system that incorporates a user context into a computer-based search is provided. To establish the context, the innovation can identify information about a user state or context via a variety of sources and sensors. The state/context information can be used to filter, arrange and/or rank search results so as to facilitate converging on meaningful searches and results. Machine learning systems (implicitly and/or explicitly trained) can be employed to infer a current and/or future context related to user. An identified or inferred user context can be employed to modify an automated or user-defined search input/query. Contextual cues can be considered directly in the construction and use of context of context-sensitive retrieval algorithms that are optimized for identifying and/or ranking of informational items of potential interest or value in different contexts. As well, the context can be employed to intelligently render results of a query (e.g., user/application defined, context-modified query).

Abstract: Architecture that monitors interaction data (e.g., search queries, query results and click-through rates), and provides users with links to other users that fall into similar categories with respect to the foregoing monitored activities (e.g., providing links to individuals and groups that share common interests and/or profiles). A search engine can be interactively coupled with one or more social networks, and that maps individuals and/or groups within respective social networks to subsets of categories associated with searches. A database stores mapped information which can be continuously updated and reorganized as links within the system mapping become stronger or weaker. The architecture can comprise a social network system that includes a database for mapping search-related information to an entity of a social network, and a search component for processing a search query for search results and returning a link to an entity of a social network based on the search query.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for automatically presenting search results from user-created search verticals or search macros in response to general web-search queries. A general web-search query is received and a set of user-created search verticals is initially identified using keywords contained in the query. A subset of target user-created search verticals is identified using factors such as whether the user has installed a tab for a particular vertical in a customized user interface, whether the search query has been used in a particular search vertical with a high frequency, and an overall or query-specific customer satisfaction rating for a particular search vertical. The search results can be presented as inline answers or inline suggestions on a common display with general search results obtained for the general search query.

Abstract: User-defined search vertical control over the presentation of search results in search results user interfaces is provided. Users may create and save search macros that are capable of modifying a search engine to perform searches and present results according to user specifications. A search macro defines both search operators for specifying search aspects and user interface operators for specifying features of the search results user interface. When entering a search query, a user may select a search macro. The search engine is modified based on the operators of the selected search macro, and search results are presented in a search results user interface in accordance with use interface operators defined by the selected search macro.

Abstract: Improving ranking algorithms for information retrieval. The ranking algorithms operate on search results obtained from a search engine. Input information including information describing a first ranking algorithm, a first score associated with the first ranking algorithm, a second ranking algorithm, a second score associated with the second ranking algorithm, and causal information relating a difference between the first ranking algorithm and the second ranking algorithm with a difference between the first score and the second score is received. An optimizing algorithm is applied to the received input information to identify an optimal ranking algorithm having an optimal score. The optimal ranking algorithm is defined by a plurality of parameters and a plurality of weights associated with the plurality of parameters.

Abstract: Architecture is provided for performing multimedia searches and returning media galleries, and then prominently displaying the galleries to a user. The disclosed innovation generates a gallery classifier and then displays found galleries to the user in a new and informative user interface. In one aspect, a system is provided that facilitates searching data for gallery pages. The system includes a gallery classifier that receives web data associated with web pages, and identifies identifying a web page as a gallery page during a search operation. The system also includes a gallery user interface that presents a gallery page and associated content as part of the search process.

Abstract: Architecture that allows a user to search for content or to restrict an online search to a limited number of websites and/or blog sites. Architecture is provided that facilitates data searching via a source component that includes data representative of a website or a blog, and a search component that processes the data to restrict or bias a query based in part on the data. The source component can include one or more of a favorites list, a blogroll, a pointer to an XML file, or a pointer to an OPML (outline processor markup language) file to specify a list of sites or blogs which they frequent. The search component processes a search query and restricts or biases the search by specifying a list of sites or blogs which are contained in the data of the source component, for example, the favorites list, the pointer to an XML file, the pointer to an OPML file, and the blogroll.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for displaying preview information to a user for either a website the user is currently browsing or for a website that the user may consider visiting. The invention can be configured to display a web link to a user and to detect a trigger event. Additionally the invention can be configured to retrieve and present the preview information to a user in a UI once a trigger event has been detected.

Abstract: A method prioritizes search results provided to a client according to client satisfaction with previous search results. The method tracks client activity with respect to the previous search results, determines individual client satisfaction for each item according to the tracked client activity, and provides one or more of the items determined to have a high client satisfaction. A user interface provides prioritized search results to a client according to client satisfaction with a previous search similar to the current search. The user interface comprises an item display of at least one item determined to have a high client satisfaction level and at least one item not determined to have a high client satisfaction level.

Abstract: A system and related techniques generate alternative search terms derived from a set of search results. A user may input a set of search terms such as keywords or other inputs, and receive a set of search results back, for instance in rank order of estimated relevance to the user's search terms and search intention. In addition to the hyperlink or other results may have associated with them a set of selectable alternative search links, for instance indicating “show me more with titles like this” when for instance a Web page title contains the user's search terms. Other results may present other attributes, depending on the evaluated distinctiveness potential alternative information content of attributes of that Web page or other result, which attributes may further include, for example, the presence of image files, PDF™ files, audio or video files or attachments, Web pages or other hits indicating certain date ranges, or other attributes or characteristics.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for customizing search result descriptions for results returned by a search engine. The search result descriptions may be obtained through a search over a computer network. The system includes a search result description request component for enabling selection of particular data for retrieval by the search engine. The system additionally includes a search result description generator for retrieving and returning the requested data. The system also includes a search result description renderer for displaying search result descriptions in a selected manner.