Abstract: A method of and server for ranking documents in response to a query are provided. The method includes determining a target resource hosting a document, and generating a first and a second randomly-selected value for the document. During a first time interval, the method includes acquiring a query and generating a first ranked list of documents to the query based on the first randomly-selected value. The first ranked list includes the document at a promoted-rank position. During the second time interval, the method includes acquiring a query and generating a second ranked list of documents to the query based on the second randomly-selected value. The second ranked list includes the document at a demoted-rank position. The promoted-rank position in the first ranked list is above the demoted-rank position in the second ranked list for increasing a gap in user traffic to the document between the first and second time intervals.

Abstract: A method of and server for ranking documents in response to a query are provided. The method includes determining a target resource hosting a document, and generating a first and a second randomly-selected value for the document. During a first time interval, the method includes acquiring a query and generating a first ranked list of documents to the query based on the first randomly-selected value. The first ranked list includes the document at a promoted-rank position. During the second time interval, the method includes acquiring a query and generating a second ranked list of documents to the query based on the second randomly-selected value. The second ranked list includes the document at a demoted-rank position. The promoted-rank position in the first ranked list is above the demoted-rank position in the second ranked list for increasing a gap in user traffic to the document between the first and second time intervals.