System and method for influencing a position on a search result list
generated by a computer network search engine
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.
Davis, Darren J.
Overture Services, Inc.; August 15, 02006
#7092901
generated by a computer network search engine
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.
Davis, Darren J.
Overture Services, Inc.; August 15, 02006
#7092901
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