Abstract: A method and system for generating, management, and determining the cost effectiveness of keywords used in paid searches. Target objects for which customer traffic for an electronic storefront web site is to be targeted to are identified. Keywords corresponding to those target objects are automatically generated, and associated keyword purchase data is sent to one or more search partners to initiate purchase of the keywords from those partners. Cost-effectiveness of each keywords is determined based on partner reports containing billing and keyword activity data and monitoring customer session activities that are initiated via clickthroughs contained in search results generated by the search partners.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for electronic session management are disclosed. In one embodiment, a user is connected to a server when initiating a session. Until a predetermined period of time passes without any activity from the user, the user is connected to the same server even if the initial connection with the server is broken. During that time, information related to the user is stored in volatile memory of the server. In one embodiment, a one or more searches are performed and the results of the searches are stored on the servers. When a user performs one of the searches the results are retrieved without repeating the searches. Thus, commonly performed searches can be provided in a more efficient manner as compared to performing the searches multiple times.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for electronic session management are disclosed. In one embodiment, a user is connected to a server when initiating a session. Until a predetermined period of time passes without any activity from the user, the user is connected to the same server even if the initial connection with the server is broken. During that time, information related to the user is stored in volatile memory of the server. In one embodiment, a one or more searches are performed and the results of the searches are stored on the servers. When a user performs one of the searches the results are retrieved without repeating the searches. Thus, commonly performed searches can be provided in a more efficient manner as compared to performing the searches multiple times.

Abstract: On-line purchasing of products from an electronic commerce (e.g., a Web page) seller is assisted by providing users with a list of previously purchased products. The list of products can be used for simplified reordering of a product previously purchased. In one embodiment, the list is categorized based on, for example, product type, purchase date, etc. Additional product information can also be provided when a product is selected from the list.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for searching electronically-stored information are described. Specifically, in a network providing for electronic commerce, a computer system provides a user with access to a set of electronic commerce pages, category pages and databases for locating products electronically. To locate products electronically, the user performs a search using multiple words. Different forms of the words in the search request are used to generate search hits, and hit vectors containing bits corresponding to the words comprising each search hit are used to indicate the search hits.