Unified Social Network Search Result Ranking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods are inefficient in managing information posted by a person using multiple accounts across different online services, as they fail to effectively identify and unify user accounts across various platforms.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that identifies candidate identifiers for a user by retrieving information from multiple online services, comparing it with the user's information, and providing the best matching candidate identifiers for subsequent processes, such as search result filtering and social network-based search result ranking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a user uses multiple accounts across different online services, then the user can access various services with different identities, but it becomes difficult to identify and manage all accounts belonging to the same person
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple candidate identifiers into a unified account by analyzing overlapping social networks. When two identifiers share common connections (friends, followers, etc.), the system infers they belong to the same person and combines them, reducing account management complexity while preserving the ability to use multiple identities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces social network connections as an intermediary to link multiple identifiers. Instead of directly comparing identifiers, the system uses shared social connections as evidence to infer that different identifiers belong to the same user, thereby solving the identification problem.
2Quantity of substance
If existing methods are used to manage information from multiple accounts, then all information is accessible, but the information cannot be effectively organized or prioritized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments information into different priority levels based on the relationship between the user and the content source. Information from verified associated accounts is separated and prioritized differently from general search results, making information organization easier while maintaining full accessibility.
3Measurement precision
If candidate identifiers are identified and compared across online services, then account identification accuracy improves, but the processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-identifying candidate identifiers and their associated social networks before the actual matching process. This preparation work is done in advance, allowing the system to quickly compare and match identifiers when needed, thereby reducing processing time while maintaining high accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes receiving a search query from a client system associated with a first user, and obtaining one or more candidate identifiers associated with the first user. The method also includes identifying a social network set of search results matching the search query and social network criteria for the first user. The social network criteria is satisfied for a respective search result when the respective search result is authored or annotated by one or more author identifiers, and at least one author identifier of the one or more author identifiers is associated with at least one candidate identifier of the one or more candidate identifiers associated with the first user. The method also includes providing to the client system a list of search results including at least a subset of the social network set of search results.