E-commerce Search Result Interleaving via Unified Demand Ranking
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Solution Overview
Problem
E-commerce platforms face challenges in presenting search results with heterogeneous listing types, such as auctions and fixed-price items, due to differing ranking algorithms and lack of data for unique items, making it difficult to fairly compare and position these listings in search results.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a listing presentation management module that intermingles product listings and item listings based on demand analysis from user-initiated activities, using a demand allocation module to allocate units of demand to listing slots, and ranking scores to position listings effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If heterogeneous listing types (auctions, fixed-price, classified ads) are presented separately in search results, then each listing type can be ranked using its own specialized algorithm, but the search results page becomes fragmented and user experience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges heterogeneous listing types (auctions, fixed-price, classified ads) into a unified search results presentation. A listing presentation management module intermingles different listing types based on a unified ranking score that combines relevance and demand factors, creating an integrated view for users while maintaining the ability to handle each listing type's unique characteristics through the unified scoring mechanism.
2Loss of information
If item listings for unique items are required to provide all attribute information including photographs, then completeness of item information is improved, but the complexity and time required to create listings increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables sellers to list unique items without manually providing all attribute information and photographs. The listing management module automatically retrieves available information from multiple sources, including product catalogs and external websites, and populates listing attributes and images automatically. This self-service approach maintains information completeness while significantly reducing the effort required from sellers.
3Measurement precision
If demand data is collected for every unique item listing, then ranking accuracy is improved, but the data storage and processing requirements become prohibitive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a unified demand scoring mechanism that works across all listing types (unique items, catalog items, auctions). Instead of maintaining separate demand data structures for each listing type, the system uses a universal demand score calculation that aggregates user interactions (views, clicks, purchases) and applies them through a common ranking framework. This multi-functional approach maintains ranking accuracy for diverse listing types while reducing data storage and processing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for managing how merchandise listings satisfying a search query are processed and presented to a user of a computer-based trading or e-commerce application when the listings are of heterogeneous types. Consistent with some embodiments, in response to a user-initiated search query, item listings and product listings are displayed intermingled in a set of search results pages. The item listings and product listings are positioned relative to one another, in part, based on a level of demand associated with the product listings and the item listings, where demand is measured by monitoring user-initiated activities in connection with the item and product listings.