System and method for influencing a position on a search result list generated by a computer network search engine

Abstract

A system and method for enabling information providers using a computer network to influence a position for a search listing within a search result list. A database stores accounts for the network information providers. Each account contains contact and billing information. In addition, each account contains at least one search listing having at least three components: a description, a search term comprising one or more keywords, and a bid amount. The network information provider may add, delete, or modify a search listing after logging into his or her account via an authentication process. The network information provider influences a position for a search listing in the provider's account by first selecting a relevant search term and entering that search term and the description into a search listing. A continuous online competitive bidding process occurs when the network information provider enters a new bid amount for a search listing. This bid amount is compared with all other bid amounts for the same search term. A rank value is generated for all search listings having that search term. The generated rank value determines where the network information provider's listing will appear on the search results list page that is generated in response to a query of the search term by a searcher at a client computer on the computer network. A higher bid by a network information provider will result in a higher rank value and a more advantageous placement.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09 / 918,241, filed on Jul. 30, 2001, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09 / 322,677, filed on May 28, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,269,361, both of which applications, including the originally filed Microfiche Appendix filed with each application, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.REFERENCE TO COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGS SUBMITTED ON COMPACT DISC AND MICROFICHE [0002] A Computer Program Listing Appendix is included, with computer program code listings on a compact disc pursuant to 37 C.F.R. 1.52(e). The Computer Program Listing Appendix includes files of the program code listing in a “PDF” graphic image file format. These graphic image files contain digital image scans of frames from a Microfiche Appendix previously submitted in the parent application (Ser. No. 09 / 918,241) and the grandparent application (09 / 322,677). [0003] The total number of compact...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a system and method for enabling web site promoters to influence a position in a search result list generated by an Internet search engine. This is done through an online competitive bidding process where advertisers can place bids on search terms relevant to their web site. The bids are processed in real-time and the position of the web site in the search result list is determined based on the bid amount and the relevance of the search term. The system includes a database of accounts for web site promoters with contact and billing information, as well as search listings with components such as a description of the web site, the URL, search term, bid amount, and title. The functions of adding, deleting, or modifying a search listing include initiating the competitive bidding process and supporting the online competitive bidding process. Overall, the system and method enable web site promoters to easily influence the position of their web site in search results, which can lead to increased web exposure and improved search results for their business."

Problems solved by technology

Conventional Internet search engines do not provide a way for web site promoters to easily predict the position of their web site in search results or guarantee their appearance in search results containing their web site description.

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