| US 7,555,485 B2 | ||
| System and method for conducting an auction-based ranking of search results on a computer network | ||
| Thomas A. Soulanille, Pasadena, Calif. (US) | ||
| Assigned to Yahoo! Inc., Sunnyvale, Calif. (US) | ||
| Filed on Aug. 22, 2002, as Appl. No. 10/226,103. | ||
| Prior Publication US 2004/0039733 A1, Feb. 26, 2004 | ||
| Int. Cl. G06F 17/30 (2006.01); G06F 7/16 (2006.01); G06Q 30/00 (2006.01) | ||
| U.S. Cl. 707—100 [707/2; 707/3; 705/14] | 74 Claims |
| 1. A computer implemented 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:
auctioning a determined search result list display period through a distributed computer system, wherein the auctioning includes
auctioning actual ranking positions in the search result list for a search term for the determined display period, and after
the auction closes, winning bidders are guaranteed the actual ranking positions for the search term during the determined
display period;
maintaining a database, on a storage medium included in the distributed system including a plurality of search listings, wherein
a search listing is associated with the winning bidders for the actual ranking positions for the search term and the determined
display period; and,
generating the search result list and displaying the search result list to the searcher through a display included in the
distributed computer system, the search result list comprising the search listings ordered in accordance with the actual ranking
positions, for the determined display period.
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