Abstract: A system and method for ranking search results based on a series of attributes derived from the behavior of past searchers is disclosed. The attributes provide a measure of the relevancy between a search query and a URL, file, or other resource based on its relevancy to prior users. The system comprises (1) an attribute database including a plurality of prior search terms or phases; a first set of resources associated with each of the queries; and the attributes, i.e., metrics, characterizing the relevance of the first set of resources to the queries; and (2) a search processor adapted to identify a second set of resources determined to be relevant to a user query; rank each of the second set of resources based on the metrics associated with the query and resource; and provide the user with the search results ranked in accordance the metrics and displayed in a manner to increase the utility of the results for the user.