초록 ▼

A system and method for enabling information providers using a computer network such as the Internet to influence a position for a search listing within a search result list generated by an Internet search engine. The system and method of the present invention provides a database having accounts for

A system and method for enabling information providers using a computer network such as the Internet to influence a position for a search listing within a search result list generated by an Internet search engine. The system and method of the present invention provides a database having accounts for the network information providers. Each account contains contact and billing information for a network information provider. In addition, each account contains at least one search listing having at least three components: a description, a search term comprising one or more keywords, and a bid amount. The network information provider may add, delete, or modify a search listing after logging into his or her account via an authentication process. The network information provider influences a position for a search listing in the provider's account by first selecting a search term relevant to the content of the web site or other information source to be listed. The network information provider enters the search term and the description into a search listing. The network information provider influences the position for a search listing through a continuous online competitive bidding process. The bidding process occurs when the network information provider enters a new bid amount, which is preferably a money amount, for a search listing. The system and method of the present invention then compares this bid amount with all other bid amounts for the same search term, and generates a rank value for all search listings having that search term. The rank value generated by the bidding process determines where the network information providers listing will appear on the search results list page that is generated in response to a query of the search term by a searcher located at a client computer on the computer network. A higher bid by a network information provider will result in a higher rank value and a more advantageous placement.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A method of generating a search result list substantially in real time in response to a search request from a searcher using a computer network, comprising:maintaining a database including a plurality of search listings, wherein each search listing is associated with a

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A method of generating a search result list substantially in real time in response to a search request from a searcher using a computer network, comprising:maintaining a database including a plurality of search listings, wherein each search listing is associated with a network location, at least one search term and a modifiable bid amount that is independent of other components of the search listing, the bid amount being associated with at least one of the search term and the network location, the bid amount corresponding to a money amount that is deducted from an account of a network information provider associated with the network location upon receipt of a retrieval request for the network location;receiving a search request from the searcher;identifying the search listings having search terms generating a match with the search request;ordering the identified search listings into a search result list in accordance with the values of the respective bid amounts for the identified search listings;receiving a retrieval request from the searcher to retrieve information associated with a search listing in the search result list; andrecording a retrieval request event including account identification information corresponding to the network information provider, to permit maintenance of accurate account debit records.