Abstract: A method and system to automatically categorize a merchant listing in an electronic marketplace are provided. The method includes parsing the category information submitted by a seller to derive a first category identifier. A first search is performed to locate the first category identifier in a first database containing a listing of category identifiers. If no match is found, the first category identifier is identified as expired or invalid. A second search is performed on a second database that includes mapping information of an expired category identifier to a new category identifier. If a match is found, the first category identifier is assigned as the new category identifier, thereby enabling the listing to be listed in the updated category automatically.

Abstract: Providing query suggestions using a query log including a number of user sessions that comprise training data including a sequence of a plurality of sets of queries. Some of the sets of queries include query transitions followed by a purchase related event. The query log is cleaned and normalized. Query log stationary scores and transition scores of at least some of the plurality of sets is generated. A set of query suggestions is built and similarity scores are computed for at least some of the set of query suggestions to determine whether individual ones of the at least some of the set of query suggestions meet a predetermined assurance level. Those that meet the level are included as elements of the set of query suggestions that meet the predetermined assurance level. That set of query suggestions are mixed and ranked in accordance with a user behavior sought to be optimized.

Abstract: A user may submit a search string to a system. Before processing the search, the system may analyze the search string and modify it. For example, the search string may be modified by treating some terms as a phrase, by dropping some terms, by treating some terms as attributes, or any suitable combination thereof. The modification of the search string may be based on an analysis of prior search strings and user actions. The results of a search based on the modified search string may be returned to the user.

Abstract: A system and method of providing related search queries are disclosed. A new item listing is identified based on a determination that the new item listing lacks a predetermined minimum amount of clickstream data. Similar item listings for the new item listing is determined from a plurality of old item listings based on at least one item feature of the new item listing and the plurality of old item listings. The plurality of old item listings comprises live item listings and completed item listings. Each old item listing has at least the predetermined minimum amount of clickstream data. Related search queries of the similar item listings are associated with the new item listing. The related search queries for the new item listing are provided along with the new item listing to a user on a client device.

Abstract: A system and method of query expansion are disclosed. A query expansion source, a query expansion candidate, and feature data for the query expansion source and the query expansion candidate are received. The feature data comprises information for a plurality of features. A determination is made as to whether the query expansion candidate qualifies as an expansion of the query expansion source based on an analysis of the information for the plurality of features. The query expansion candidate is assigned as an expanded query of the query expansion source in a query expansion dictionary in response to a determination that the query expansion candidate qualifies as an expansion of the query expansion source.

Abstract: A system and method for modifying publication data in a publication system are described. An example embodiment includes receiving proposed publication data and accessing a success measurement associated with past publications within a publication system. The success measurement may indicate a measurement of success associated with the past publications. An example system and method may generate modification data to be used to modify the proposed publication data. The modification data may be based on the success measurement and proposed publication data.

Abstract: A system and method for modifying publication data in a publication system are described. An example embodiment includes receiving proposed publication data and accessing a success measurement associated with past publications within a publication system. The success measurement may indicate a measurement of success associated with the past publications. An example system and method may generate modification data to be used to modify the proposed publication data. The modification data may be based on the success measurement and proposed publication data.

Abstract: Methods, articles of manufacture and a system for providing query suggestions using a query log that includes a number of user sessions. The sessions comprise training data including a sequence of a plurality of sets of queries, some of the sets of queries including query transitions followed by a purchase related event. The query log is cleaned and normalized. From the cleaned and normalized query log stationary scores and transition scores of at least some of the plurality of sets is generated. A set of query suggestions is built and similarity scores are computed for at least some of the set of query suggestions to determine whether individual ones of the at least some of the set of query suggestions meet a predetermined assurance level. Those that meet the level are included as elements of the set of query suggestions that meet the predetermined assurance level. The set of query suggestions are mixed and ranked in accordance with a user behavior sought to be optimized.

Abstract: A system and method for modifying publication data in a publication system are described. An example embodiment includes receiving proposed publication data and accessing a success measurement associated with past publications within a publication system. The success measurement may indicate a measurement of success associated with the past publications. An example system and method may generate modification data to be used to modify the proposed publication data. The modification data may be based on the success measurement and proposed publication data.

Abstract: A system and method for modifying publication data in a publication system are described. An example embodiment includes receiving proposed publication data and accessing a success measurement associated with past publications within a publication system. The success measurement may indicate a measurement of success associated with the past publications. An example system and method may generate modification data to be used to modify the proposed publication data. The modification data may be based on the success measurement and proposed publication data.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for providing information tagging in a networked system is disclosed. The apparatus in an example embodiment includes a tag engine configured to process a database of categorized product listings; to receive a user-provided tag associated with at least one of the product listings; to retain the user-provided tag; and to serve the user-provided tag to a user viewing at least one of the product listings.

Abstract: A system and method for modifying publication data in a publication system are described. An example embodiment includes receiving proposed publication data and accessing a success measurement associated with past publications within a publication system. The success measurement may indicate a measurement of success associated with the past publications. An example system and method may generate modification data to be used to modify the proposed publication data. The modification data may be based on the success measurement and proposed publication data.