Search Query Catchment Area Determination via Log Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current search systems face inefficiencies in ranking search results due to the lack of accurate geographic relevance, as they rely on manual selection of catchment areas which may not reflect user behavior or query patterns.
Innovation Solution
The method determines catchment areas for queries by analyzing origin and content locations from search log data, calculating catchment area scores based on matches, and selecting the most relevant catchment area across multiple types, ensuring relevance and diversity thresholds are met.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual selection of catchment areas is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of geographic relevance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines catchment areas by analyzing search log data and origin locations without requiring manual configuration. The search system serves itself by deriving geographic relevance parameters from actual user behavior data, eliminating the need for manual catchment area selection while improving accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-processes search log data to identify origin locations and determines catchment areas in advance. By analyzing historical search patterns and geolocation data beforehand, the system prepares geographic relevance information that can be quickly applied during actual search operations, improving both accuracy and efficiency.
2Measurement precision
If catchment areas are determined from user behavior, then measurement precision improves, but loss of time in processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs catchment area determination in advance by analyzing search log data and stores the results for quick retrieval. By pre-processing the data to identify origin locations and determine catchment areas beforehand, the system minimizes processing time during actual search operations while maintaining high accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts catchment area determination based on available data. When search log data is available, it uses behavior-based determination for high accuracy; when data is limited or processing time is constrained, it can fall back to alternative methods, providing a flexible approach that balances accuracy and speed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple catchment area types are analyzed, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a universal catchment area determination mechanism that works across multiple catchment area types (e.g., local, regional, national). By creating a unified approach that analyzes origin locations and search patterns regardless of geographic scale, the system achieves high adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adjusts determination parameters based on the specific catchment area type and available data characteristics. By dynamically modifying analysis parameters such as geographic granularity, data weighting, and matching thresholds, the system efficiently handles diverse catchment area scenarios without requiring separate complex systems for each type.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus for selecting geographic areas of interest for a query. A method includes for each query stored in search log data, determining an origin location for each occurrence of the query, determining a content location for each occurrence of the query, for each of a plurality of catchment areas, determining catchment area matches for the query based on the origin location of each occurrence of the query and the content location of the occurrence of the query, determining, for each catchment area, a catchment area score that is indicative of an interest level for the catchment area for a query, the determination based on a number of catchment area matches for the catchment area for the query and selecting, for the query and based on the catchment area scores for the catchment areas, one of the catchment areas as a selected catchment area for the query.