Listing Activity Engine for Search Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Consumer-focused websites face challenges in ensuring that listings on later pages of search results receive adequate attention, as users predominantly click on items on the first few pages, leading to a disproportionate advantage for listings on these pages in terms of sales conversion.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize listing activity metrics, such as low views or replies, to identify and highlight low-activity listings, allowing users to customize search results and provide additional exposure opportunities for sellers, thereby increasing the visibility of listings that may still be available for sale or bid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If listings are displayed on the first page of search results, then user selection rate and conversion chance are improved, but listings on later pages receive insufficient attention and exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The search results are segmented into different categories: traditional search results (first page) and low-activity listings (later pages). This segmentation allows the system to present different types of listings to users based on their search queries and preferences, ensuring that both high-conversion and underrepresented listings receive appropriate attention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension to search results by incorporating listing activity metrics (views, replies, bids) as an additional sorting criterion. This dimensional addition allows users to explore listings not only by traditional relevance but also by activity level, creating a multi-dimensional search landscape that balances conversion potential with exposure opportunities.
2Loss of information
If users are provided with multiple search result pages, then comprehensive search coverage is improved, but user attention and clicks are disproportionately concentrated on the first page
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary sorting and categorization of listings based on activity metrics before presenting them to users. By pre-organizing listings into high-activity and low-activity groups, the system enables users to quickly access relevant information without having to manually navigate through multiple pages, thus reducing time loss while maintaining comprehensive coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The search results are made dynamic by allowing users to adjust sorting criteria based on their preferences and the current search context. Users can dynamically switch between viewing results by relevance, activity level, or a combination thereof, making the search experience adaptable to individual needs and reducing unnecessary time spent on low-value listings.
3Measurement precision
If traditional search ranking algorithms are used, then relevant listings are prioritized, but low-activity listings fail to receive adequate exposure despite being available for sale
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the treatment of listings based on their activity characteristics. Instead of uniform treatment, the system provides enhanced visibility and exposure specifically to low-activity listings that are still available for sale, while maintaining traditional ranking for high-relevance listings. This localized differentiation ensures that both relevant and underexposed listings receive appropriate attention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback loops that monitor listing activity metrics (views, replies, bids) and use this information to dynamically adjust ranking and exposure. This feedback mechanism ensures that low-activity listings are identified and given additional exposure opportunities, while continuously optimizing the overall ranking based on real-time performance data.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for providing a listing activity engine for online computer users is disclosed. A particular embodiment includes: accessing a plurality of listings corresponding to items offered on a host site; accessing listing activity level information related to the plurality of listings; producing search results that include only matched listings of the plurality of listings with activity level information indicating activity less than a pre-determined listing activity threshold; and displaying the search results to a user.