Rank Modifier for Dynamic Search Result Reordering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current search engines face challenges in dynamically modifying the ranking of search result items without requiring code changes, especially in identifying and demoting spam content while promoting relevant and high-click-through items, which is time-consuming and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a search engine, a rank modifier, and a classification module that determines the relevance and spam value of search result items, allowing for modification of their ranking without altering the search engine's code, by demoting spam items and promoting those with high click-through rates and adjacent search terms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If search engine code is modified to dynamically adjust ranking, then ranking flexibility improves, but system complexity and maintenance difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a rank modifier as an intermediary component that sits between the search engine and the user interface. This mediator receives search results from the search engine, applies ranking modifications based on stored criteria (such as click-through rates, spam signals, and user preferences), and presents the final modified results. This approach provides dynamic ranking flexibility without requiring modifications to the search engine's core code, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If manual review of search results is performed to identify spam, then spam detection accuracy improves, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary classification of search results using automated spam detection algorithms and signals before the final ranking stage. The rank modifier pre-identifies potential spam content using various signals (click-through rates, user feedback, content analysis) and prepares modification criteria in advance. This preliminary action filters out obvious spam cases efficiently, allowing only ambiguous cases to require more intensive review, thus improving both detection accuracy and processing speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where user interactions (clicks, dwell time, feedback signals) are continuously collected and used to update spam detection criteria and ranking modifications. This feedback loop enables the system to learn from actual user behavior and improve spam detection accuracy over time without requiring manual review of every result, maintaining high productivity while improving precision.
3Reliability
If multiple ranking criteria are applied to search results, then result relevance improves, but computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ranking modification process into distinct, independent criteria that can be evaluated separately and then combined. Each criterion (click-through rate, spam signals, user preferences, content freshness) is evaluated independently by the rank modifier, with each having its own weighting and modification rules. This segmentation allows the system to apply multiple criteria without creating complex interdependencies, improving result relevance while managing computational complexity through modular, independent evaluation of each criterion.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, computer-implemented methods, and computer-readable media for modifying the rank of search result items returned by a search engine are provided. A search engine determines a plurality of search result items that satisfy a user query and the order the search result items are to be presented to a user. A rank modifier determines whether any modification should be made to the rank of each search result item identified by the search engine. The rank of search result items identified as potential spam may be demoted while the rank of search result items identified to be in the language of the search query, having a high click-through rate, or as containing adjacent search terms from the search query may be promoted. The search result items are presented according to modified ranking to the querying user.