Method and apparatus for query-specific bookmarking and data collection

Abstract

A computer-implemented method and system providing both query-specific bookmarking and query-specific data collection. These features allow users to search more efficiently on the WWW by allowing users to explicitly maintain their search context. In addition, users can also collect query-specific relevance and usage data. User marked search results are saved as leads, which are displayed on a user interface such as a SearchPad. One embodiment of the invention involves extending HTML to include a Query attribute that saves the query context and returns it with a search result page. Another embodiment involves the use of cookies to save the query context. Saved query-specific bookmarks and query-specific data can be periodically saved to a central site, although not all embodiments perform this task.

1 . A computer-implemented method of query-specific bookmarking in a network, comprising: 
 maintaining, on a client-side computer, lead information about a previously performed search, the lead information including the query used in the search and the at least some of the resulting links returned by the search;    displaying the query used in the search and the resulting links;    receiving a user-selection of a displayed resulting link;    displaying the document corresponding to the selected query-specific link; and    marking the displayed document if the displayed document is displayed for more than a threshold amount of time.