Method and apparatus for providing a searchable information system

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for providing a searchable information system are disclosed. A networked computer hosting a web-accessible database containing content searchable by a networked user is provided. The computer is configured to associate content with keywords sponsored by an advertiser, and produce a set of results responsive to a keyword search by the user. The computer is also configured to determine which of the results are similar to at least one of the sponsored keywords, and present a search result page containing a listing arranged such that results similar to sponsored keywords are displayed as a sub-category on the search result page.

1 . A method for providing a searchable information system comprising: 
 providing a web-accessible database containing content searchable by a networked user, said content including associated keywords sponsored by an advertiser;    producing a set of results responsive to a keyword search by the user;    determining which of said set of results are similar to at least one of a said sponsored keyword; and    presenting a search result page to the user containing a listing of said results arranged such that results similar to at least one of a sponsored keyword are displayed as a sub-category on the search result page.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said act of presenting a search result page further comprises the act of listing only enough information to gauge the user's further interest in an item.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising the act of presenting a full page hypertext document responsive to a user click on one of said items.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said full page document containing at least one embedded link.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said full page document further includes non-textual information associated with said keywords.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said non-textual information includes graphics.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , further including the act of presenting subset of results including categories associated to said second set of keywords.  
   
   
       8 . An apparatus for providing a searchable information system comprising: 
 a networked computer hosting a web-accessible database containing content searchable by a networked user, the computer being configured to:    associate content with keywords sponsored by an advertiser;    produce a set of results responsive to a keyword search by the user;    determine which of said set of results are similar to at least one of a said sponsored keyword; and    present a search result page to the user containing a listing of said results arranged such that results similar to at least one of a sponsored keyword are displayed as a sub-category on the search result page.    
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said computer being further configured to display only enough information to gauge the user's further interest in an item.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said computer being further configured to present a full page hypertext document responsive to a user click on one of said items.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said full page document containing at least one embedded link.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said full page document further includes non-textual information associated with said keywords.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said non-textual information includes graphics.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said computer being further configured to present a subset of results including categories associated to said second set of keywords.  
   
   
       15 . An apparatus for providing a searchable information system comprising: 
 web-accessible database means containing content searchable by a networked user, including means for associating said content with keywords sponsored by an advertiser;    means for producing a set of results responsive to a keyword search by the user;    means for determining which of said set of results are similar to at least one of a said sponsored keyword; and    means for presenting a search result page to the user containing a listing of said results arranged such that results similar to at least one of a sponsored keyword are displayed as a sub-category on the search result page.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said act of presenting a search result page further comprises the act of listing only enough information to gauge the user's further interest in an item.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising the act of presenting a full page hypertext document responsive to a user click on one of said items.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said full page document containing at least one embedded link.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said full page document further includes non-textual information associated with said keywords.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said non-textual information includes graphics.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 15 , further including the act of presenting subset of results including categories associated to said second set of keywords.