Search Result Ranking Modulo Hashing for Content Discoverability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Online gaming platforms struggle to effectively showcase newer user-generated content, as search engines often prioritize historical data, leading to reduced discoverability of recently added content.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method that selects between two search criteria: one based on popularity and the other on recency, using a modulo result of search terms hashed with a random value to determine the appropriate criterion for each search query, ensuring a portion of searches prioritize recency to enhance discoverability of newer content.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If search results are ranked by popularity based on historical data, then reliability of search results is improved, but discoverability of newer content deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesearch result reliabilityVSAvoidnewer content discoverability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system periodically alternates between two search criteria (popularity-based and recency-based) using a modulo operation on hash values. This periodic switching ensures that newer content is periodically promoted in search results, preventing it from being permanently overshadowed by older popular content while maintaining overall system reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

Different search criteria are applied to different portions of the search result set based on the modulo condition. When the condition is met, recency-based ranking is applied locally to promote newer content; otherwise, popularity-based ranking is used. This allows the system to maintain high reliability overall while creating localized opportunities for newer content discovery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of information

If search results are ranked by recency, then discoverability of newer content is improved, but reliability of search results deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenewer content discoverabilityVSAvoidsearch result reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies recency-based ranking only partially - specifically when the modulo condition is satisfied. This partial application of recency-based sorting provides enough exposure for newer content to be discovered without completely replacing the reliable popularity-based ranking system, thus avoiding excessive disruption to search result quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Device complexity

If a single search criterion is used for all queries, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability of search system deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesearch system complexityVSAvoidsearch criterion adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically changes the search criterion parameter based on a simple modulo condition. By switching between popularity-based and recency-based criteria according to this condition, the system achieves adaptability to different content freshness requirements without introducing complex decision-making logic or multiple configuration parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3962613B1Improved discoverability in search

Publication Date: 2023.07.26 ROBLOX CORP

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AI summary

A method and system is disclosed that provides search with improved discoverability within an online gaming platform.