Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for allowing a user to suggest information about content that can be utilized in processing subsequent searches. The suggested information may be different from a fixed set of information about an item, such as keywords, attributes or characteristics of an item, generally provided by a manufacturer or seller of the item. Users can submit to a service the information that they feel is relevant to the item, such as a brief explanation of relevance and a detailed explanation that would help other users to make a decision about the item. The submitted information may be associated with the item information and stored in a data store and utilized as additional attributes of the item for a search. In addition, when a user requests detail information about an item, the user-submitted information may be displayed to the user.

Abstract: A system regulates server load by dynamically selecting variables that directly or indirectly control the type and/or quantity of processing performed in responding to content requests, such as requests for dynamically generated web pages. For example, the system may use current load level data to vary the sizes of input data sets used to generate personalized recommendations or other content for users.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for allowing a user to suggest information about content that can be utilized in processing subsequent searches. The suggested information may be different from a fixed set of information about an item, such as keywords, attributes, or characteristics of an item, generally provided by a manufacturer or seller of the item. Users can submit to a service the information that they feel is relevant to the item, such as a brief explanation of relevance and a detailed explanation that would help other users to make a decision about the item. The submitted information may be associated with the item information and stored in a data store and utilized as additional attributes of the item for a search. In addition, when a user requests detail information about an item, the user-submitted information may be displayed to the user.

Abstract: A system regulates server load by dynamically selecting variables that directly or indirectly control the type and/or quantity of processing performed in responding to content requests, such as requests for dynamically generated web pages. For example, the system may use current load level data to vary the sizes of input data sets used to generate personalized recommendations or other content for users.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for providing reviewer feedback identifying a correlation between a reviewer's past voting record and successful results. Based on a reviewer's past record, the reviewer may be assigned a power rating identifying the statistical accuracy of the reviewer's voting history. That power rating may be used to weight future votes, thereby increasing the likelihood that accurate decisions will be made.

Abstract: A web server system regulates its own load level by dynamically varying its responses to requests for like web pages. The responses are preferably varied at least in-part using variables that directly or indirectly specify the type and/or quantity of processing to be performed in responding to requests for dynamically-generated web pages. The type of response generated by the web server system is preferably selected based upon one or more of the following: (a) the current load level of the server system as a whole, (b) the current load levels of specific computing devices or components invoked by the request, and (c) a profile of the user who requests the page.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and associated methods that can selectively filter seed behavior, e.g., user activity used to generate item recommendations. In some embodiments, seed behaviors and catalog items are associated with categories in an electronic catalog, and a particular seed behavior is used to generate user recommendations if it is more recent than a user's last purchase in the category of the seed behavior. For example, a user's activity in the TV category, e.g., viewing various TV models, may not be used to generate recommendations if the activity occurred prior to the user's purchase of a TV. As a result, in certain embodiments, additional TVs may not appear in the user's recommendations following her purchase, reflecting that the user has fulfilled her desire to purchase a TV.

Abstract: An interactive system enables users to generate and submit lists of items (e.g., products) for viewing by other users. The user-generated lists are selectively suggested to users of the system based on their respective behaviors, such as their item viewing activities, searches, and/or item purchases. The system may monitor the behaviors of users who access particular user-generated lists, and based on the monitored behaviors, generate measures of the effectiveness of particular lists (e.g., effectiveness at driving item purchases). The measures of effectiveness may be considered in selecting particular lists to suggest.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and associated methods that can selectively filter seed behavior, e.g., user activity used to generate item recommendations. In some embodiments, seed behaviors and catalog items are associated with categories in an electronic catalog, and a particular seed behavior is used to generate user recommendations if it is more recent than a user's last purchase in the category of the seed behavior. For example, a user's activity in the TV category, e.g., viewing various TV models, may not be used to generate recommendations if the activity occurred prior to the user's purchase of a TV. As a result, in certain embodiments, additional TVs may not appear in the user's recommendations following her purchase, reflecting that the user has fulfilled her desire to purchase a TV.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and associated methods that can selectively filter seed behavior, e.g., user activity used to generate item recommendations. In some embodiments, seed behaviors and catalog items are associated with categories in an electronic catalog, and a particular seed behavior is used to generate user recommendations if it is more recent than a user's last purchase in the category of the seed behavior. For example, a user's activity in the TV category, e.g., viewing various TV models, may not be used to generate recommendations if the activity occurred prior to the user's purchase of a TV. As a result, in certain embodiments, additional TVs may not appear in the user's recommendations following her purchase, reflecting that the user has fulfilled her desire to purchase a TV.

Abstract: Systems and methods of determining genre information are provided. A particular method includes receiving a first data set including a plurality of genre descriptors and associated strength values related to particular content. Each strength value indicates a degree to which the associated genre descriptor describes the particular content. The method also includes storing a data record associating the first data set with the particular content.

Abstract: An interactive system enables users to generate and submit lists of items (e.g., products) for viewing by other users. The user-generated lists are selectively suggested to users of the system based on their respective behaviors, such as their item viewing activities, searches, and/or item purchases. The system may monitor the behaviors of users who access particular user-generated lists, and based on the monitored behaviors, generate measures of the effectiveness of particular lists (e.g., effectiveness at driving item purchases). The measures of effectiveness may be considered in selecting particular lists to suggest.

Abstract: Information retrieval systems and methods are disclosed for presenting items of interest to a user of a computer-based data repository, where the items are presented in the form of lists generated by other users. Users of a data repository may generate lists of items from the repository that are accessible by other users. In various embodiments, users generating lists may add supplemental commentary about the items and other personalizing information. The information retrieval systems and methods store the user-generated lists for future presentation to other users. When a user of the data repository submits a search query, items returned in the query's results are interpreted to be items of interest to the user, and in response, one or more lists determined to be similar to the items of interest are presented to the user.

Abstract: Information retrieval systems and methods are disclosed for presenting items of interest to a user of a computer-based data repository, where the items are presented in the form of lists generated by other users. Users of a data repository may generate lists of items from the repository that are accessible by other users. In various embodiments, users generating lists may add supplemental commentary about the items and other personalizing information. The information retrieval systems and methods store the user-generated lists for future presentation to other users. The online activities of a user of the data repository are monitored, and, in response to the user indicating an interest in an item, one or more lists determined to be similar to the indicated item are presented to the user.

Abstract: Information retrieval systems and methods are disclosed for presenting items of interest to a user of a computer-based data repository, where the items are presented in the form of lists generated by other users. Users of a data repository may generate lists of items from the repository that are accessible by other users. In various embodiments, users generating lists may add supplemental commentary about the items and other personalizing information. The information retrieval systems and methods store the user-generated lists for future presentation to other users. When a user of the data repository submits a search query, items returned in the query's results are interpreted to be items of interest to the user, and in response, one or more lists determined to be similar to the items of interest are presented to the user.

Abstract: A web server system regulates its own load level by dynamically varying its responses to requests for like web pages. The responses are preferably varied at least in-part using variables that directly or indirectly specify the type and/or quantity of processing to be performed in responding to requests for dynamically-generated web pages. The type of response generated by the web server system is preferably selected based upon one or more of the following: (a) the current load level of the server system as a whole, (b) the current load levels of specific computing devices or components invoked by the request, and (c) a profile of the user who requests the page.