Abstract: One embodiment selects from a set of query-suggestion pairs a first query and a subset of query-suggestion pairs that each has the first query as its query; computes a Log Likelihood Ratio (LLR) value for each query-suggestion pair from the subset of query-suggestion pairs; ranks the subset of query-suggestion pairs according to their respective LLR values; removes from the subset of query-suggestion pairs all query-suggestion pairs whose LLR values are below a predetermined LLR threshold; computes a Pointwise Mutual Information (PMI) value for each remaining query suggestion pair from the subset of query-suggestion pairs; removes from the subset of query-suggestion pairs all query-suggestion pairs whose PMI values are below a predetermine PMI threshold; and constructs a ranked set of suggestions for the first query, wherein the ranked set of suggestions comprises one or more suggestions of the remaining query-suggestion pairs from the subset of query-suggestion pairs.

Abstract: A method of facilitating the endorsement of products through Internet advertisements accepts a bid for an endorsement, enables communication, associated with the bid, between an advertiser and a potential endorser, and serves an endorsement associated with the bid. In one implementation, the endorsement is displayed together with a symbol verifying the endorser.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for providing targeted applications within a search engine results page. The method and system includes receiving a search query from a user and interpreting the search query. The method and system then first maps the interpreted query to one or more action templates, wherein mapping the interpreted query to one or more action templates comprises selecting one or more actions associated with the interpreted query. The method and system then maps the selected one or more actions associated with the interpreted query to a plurality of applications and selecting one or more applications associated with the one or more actions. Finally, the method and system displays the one or more applications within a search results page.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a method and system for providing a recommendation set. The method and system includes determining various topic clusters from single topic clusters. The method and system further includes identifying various topic clusters for an identified single topic cluster and providing recommendations from the various topic clusters via web updates.

Abstract: One embodiment selects from a set of query-suggestion pairs a first query and a subset of query-suggestion pairs that each has the first query as its query; computes a Log Likelihood Ratio (LLR) value for each query-suggestion pair from the subset of query-suggestion pairs; ranks the subset of query-suggestion pairs according to their respective LLR values; removes from the subset of query-suggestion pairs all query-suggestion pairs whose LLR values are below a predetermined LLR threshold; computes a Pointwise Mutual Information (PMI) value for each remaining query suggestion pair from the subset of query-suggestion pairs; removes from the subset of query-suggestion pairs all query-suggestion pairs whose PMI values are below a predetermine PMI threshold; and constructs a ranked set of suggestions for the first query, wherein the ranked set of suggestions comprises one or more suggestions of the remaining query-suggestion pairs from the subset of query-suggestion pairs.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for providing a microdocument framework. The method and system includes receiving a plurality microdocuments and detecting content data for each of the plurality of microdocuments. The method and system further includes indexing at least a portion of the plurality of microdocuments based on the detected content and performing a searching operation using the content data associated with the microdocument data to determine a microdocument set. Thereupon, the method and system performs at least processing one operation on the microdocument set.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for weighting contemporaneous content including, in response to a user content request, determining a plurality of contemporaneous content items relating to the user content request, the contemporaneous content items including ultra-fresh content items having been only recently generated. In the method and system, for each of the contemporaneous content items, identifying one or more authors of the content items and determining an expertise level for the one or more authors and determining an expert weighting for each of the content items based on the expertise level for the corresponding one or more authors. The method and system further includes ranking the contemporaneous content items in response to the user content request based on the expert weighting and presenting at least a portion of the contemporaneous content items in response to the user content request.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for receiving a user privacy preference that indicates an amount of activity information that the user is willing to share in response to a reward, a value of the reward related to a degree of the user privacy preference. The method and system includes setting a privacy setting for the user based on the received user privacy preference. The method and system further includes tracking web browsing activity of the user during one or more web-browsing sessions based on the privacy setting to generate user activity information. The method and system further includes sending the user activity information and providing a reward to the user based on the user activity information sent.

Abstract: According to some example embodiments, a method includes based, at least in part, on one or more signals representative of user-defined content, assessing the user-defined content and storing one or more signals representative of a result of the assessment of the user-defined content. The method further includes selecting one or more widgets for presentation in combination with other content associated with the user-defined content, the selecting being based at least in part on the assessment of the user-defined content.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for customized search results in an advanced search results page including vertical searching pivot points for personalizing and refining searching operations. The method includes tracking user network activities and receiving a search query from the user, the search query including a plurality of search terms. The method and system includes identifying a plurality of preferred content sources based on the tracked network activities and retrieving content items in response to the search query. The method and system filters the content items based on the preferred content sources and therein generates a search result page displaying at least a portion of the filtered content items and at least one of the preferred content sources, wherein the display of the at least one preferred content source allows the user to pivot the search results portion based solely on the preferred content source.

Abstract: A method of providing search results includes performing a search in response to a search request, providing a first list of results responsive to the search request, providing a list of selectable terms based on content included in the first list of results, receiving a user-selected term from the list of selectable terms, and providing a second list of results. The second list of results excludes results having content related to the user-selected term.

Abstract: A system and method are directed towards a free-form search query of user reviews using user profile, location information, and/or social networks, to obtain a result having an associated universal aggregated rating. The user may enter in free-form a search query that may then be transparently modified using the user's profile, social network, and/or current physical location. The search results may then be presented to the user along with aggregated weighted ratings. The user may also enter products and/or services into a data store, including comments, and a universal rating. In one embodiment, the user may provide a tag to another reviewer's comments that may be useable to aggregate ratings. In one embodiment, the user's profile, location, and/or social networking information may be used to further annotate the user's inputs.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for interacting with an IVR system. In one aspect, a computing device receives a user request to connect to an IVR system to perform an action. A request for information (e.g., a request to select from a plurality of menu options) is obtained from the IVR system. In response to the request, the computing device automatically supplies an answer to the request for information to the IVR system. In one embodiment, the answer is a dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signal. The obtaining and supplying steps are repeated until the action has been performed.

Abstract: A system for generating supplemental advertisement information. The system includes an advertisement engine and a user server. The advertisement engine is configured to select advertisements for a web page based on advertisement criteria. The user server is in communication with the advertisement engine to provide user identification information allowing the advertisement engine to access supplemental advertisement information based on the user identification.

Abstract: A method of facilitating the endorsement of products through Internet advertisements accepts a bid for an endorsement, enables communication, associated with the bid, between an advertiser and a potential endorser, and serves an endorsement associated with the bid. In one implementation, the endorsement is displayed together with a symbol verifying the endorser.

Abstract: A system and method are directed towards a free-form search query of user reviews using user profile, location information, and/or social networks, to obtain a result having an associated universal aggregated rating. The user may enter in free-form a search query that may then be transparently modified using the user's profile, social network, and/or current physical location. The search results may then be presented to the user along with aggregated weighted ratings. The user may also enter products and/or services into a data store, including comments, and a universal rating. In one embodiment, the user may provide a tag to another reviewer's comments that may be useable to aggregate ratings. In one embodiment, the user's profile, location, and/or social networking information may be used to further annotate the user's inputs.

Abstract: A method of providing search results includes performing a search in response to a search request, providing a first list of results responsive to the search request, providing a list of selectable terms based on content included in the first list of results, receiving a user-selected term from the list of selectable terms, and providing a second list of results. The second list of results excludes results having content related to the user-selected term.

Abstract: A method and system for barge-in acknowledgement are disclosed. A prompt is attenuated upon detection of speech. The speech is accepted and the prompt is terminated if the speech corresponds to an allowable response.