Search Query Disambiguation via Preliminary Geographic Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face challenges in identifying whether a search query is for local or regular web search, and determining the intended geographic area, especially when geographic names correspond to common words, leading to ambiguity in search results.
Innovation Solution
A method that identifies geographic references in search queries, determines if they correspond to unambiguous geographic areas by analyzing search results and their association with postal codes, and performs local or web searches accordingly, with the option to present targeted advertisements based on geographic location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a search query includes a geographic name that is also a common word, then the search engine can potentially serve both local search and regular web search needs, but it becomes ambiguous whether the user intends local or regular web search
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by conducting test searches with the geographic name before processing the actual search query. It searches for the geographic name alone, then searches for it combined with the state name, and uses the results from these preliminary searches to determine whether the geographic reference is unambiguous. This preliminary analysis allows the system to resolve ambiguity before executing the final search, preserving both local search and regular web search capabilities while eliminating intent confusion.
2Measurement precision
If the search engine performs multiple test searches to determine geographic ambiguity, then search accuracy improves, but processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by performing only the necessary test searches required to resolve geographic ambiguity. It conducts a search for the geographic name alone and, only if needed, a second search combining the geographic name with the state name. By performing minimal necessary searches rather than exhaustive analysis, the system achieves sufficient accuracy to distinguish between ambiguous and unambiguous geographic references while minimizing additional processing time and computational overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
A system receives a search query that includes a set of search terms, determines whether at least one of the search terms corresponds to the name of a geographic area, and determines whether the geographic area corresponds to an unambiguous geographic area when at least one of the search terms corresponds to the name of the geographic area. The system performs a local search, based on one or more of the search terms, to identify documents associated with the geographic area when the geographic area corresponds to an unambiguous geographic area.