Search Result Ranking with Social Contact Indicators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of social networking services face difficulty in finding online forums where their social contacts are active, as existing search results do not effectively highlight the involvement of their social contacts in online forums.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that receives a search query, determines search results associated with online forums, and changes the ranking of these results based on the presence of the user's social contacts within the forums, providing visual notifications that indicate the social contacts' membership and allowing users to join or interact with these forums.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If search results are ranked based on traditional relevance algorithms, then search engine neutrality and objectivity are maintained, but users cannot easily identify forums where their social contacts are active
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges traditional search result ranking with social networking data by integrating social graph information into the search algorithm. The search system combines forum relevance with social contact presence data to generate personalized rankings, allowing users to see both objective search results and socially-relevant information in a unified interface
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer that connects search results with social networking data. This intermediary component processes social graph information and applies weighting factors to search results based on social contact presence, acting as a bridge between the search engine and social networking service without requiring users to manually cross-reference both systems
2Productivity
If search results are personalized based on social contacts, then user engagement and relevance are improved, but search result objectivity and neutrality are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial personalization by using social contact information as one of multiple ranking factors rather than the sole determinant. The system incorporates social relevance weighting alongside traditional search algorithms, applying social data selectively to enhance rather than completely override objective search results, maintaining a balance between personalization and neutrality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts ranking parameters based on user preferences and context. The system allows flexibility in weighting social relevance factors, enabling users to control the degree of personalization applied to their search results, thus maintaining objectivity while enabling engagement when desired
3Ease of operation
If visual notifications of social contacts are displayed in search results, then users can quickly identify relevant forums, but information overload and clutter occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selectively displaying social contact information only in specific contexts where it adds value. The system highlights social connections primarily in forum search results where community activity is relevant, rather than universally across all search types, thus providing ease of identification without universal clutter
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses partial action by displaying condensed social information indicators rather than complete social graphs. The system shows simplified visual cues about social contact presence (such as indicator icons or brief mentions) rather than full profiles or extensive social data, providing quick identification while limiting information quantity
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for providing an online forum as a search result are provided. In some aspects an indication of a search query from a first user is received. A search result for the search query is determined, where the search result is associated with an online forum. That one or more users of the online forum include one or more social contacts of the first user in a social networking service is determined. A ranking of the search result is changed based on the users of the online forum comprising the one or more social contacts. An indication of the search result is provided for display, where displayed information associated with the search result indicates at least one of the one or more social contacts.