Search Result Ranking via User Group Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current internet search engines face challenges in providing search results that accurately reflect the specific needs and interests of individual users, as they often rely on general relevance metrics without considering user-specific features or demographics.
Innovation Solution
The system selects a current user group based on search results and queries, modifying the order of search results by adjusting scores based on the frequency of selection by users within that group compared to a general population, thereby providing more relevant and personalized results.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If search engines use general relevance metrics to rank results, then the system is simple and fast, but the results do not accurately reflect individual user needs and interests
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments users into different groups based on their search behavior patterns, demographics, and interests. By dividing the user base into segments with similar characteristics, the system can apply customized ranking strategies to each segment, improving result accuracy without requiring complete customization for every individual user.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating user group assignments and storing them for future queries. User profiles, group memberships, and preference data are established in advance, allowing the search engine to quickly retrieve and apply relevant ranking parameters without performing complex real-time analysis for each query.
2Adaptability or versatility
If search engines analyze user-specific features and demographics, then the results are more personalized, but the data processing requirements and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by customizing search result ranking specifically for each user group rather than implementing a completely personalized system for every user. Each group receives tailored results based on their collective characteristics, providing meaningful personalization while avoiding the excessive computational cost of fully individualized analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates copies of user group profiles and preference data that can be reused across multiple queries. Once a user group's characteristics and preferences are analyzed and stored, these copied profiles serve as templates for ranking results for all users in that group, eliminating the need to re-analyze the same data repeatedly.
3Measurement precision
If search engines group users based on similar interests and behavior, then the relevance of results improves, but the complexity of user profiling and segmentation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by creating user group profiles that serve multiple functions: they identify user characteristics, determine grouping membership, and provide ranking parameters all in one unified structure. This multi-functional approach to user profiling reduces the overall system complexity compared to maintaining separate systems for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for grouping of users. In one aspect, a method includes selecting a current user group for a search session based on search results selected by a user during the search session. The method also includes obtaining a plurality of search results responsive to a query submitted by the user during the search session wherein each of the search results has a respective score. The method also includes determining that a search result in the plurality of search results is one in which users associated with the current user group select as a selected search result a percentage of time more often or less often than a general population of users that is larger than a number of users associated with the current user group. The method also includes in response to determining, modifying an order of the plurality of search results by modifying the respective score of the search result based on the percentage. The method also includes providing the modified plurality of search results in response to the query.