Identifying items relevant to a current query based on items accessed in connection with similar queries

Abstract

The present invention provides a software facility for identifying the items most relevant to a current query based on items selected in connection with similar queries. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the facility receives a query specifying one or more query terms. In response, the facility generates a query result identifying a plurality of items that satisfy the query. The facility then produces a ranking value for at least a portion of the items identified in the query result by combining the relative frequencies with which users selected that item from the query results generated from queries specifying each of the terms specified by the query. The facility identifies as most relevant those items having the highest ranking values.

1 . A computer-implemented method for identifying items in response to a query, comprising:
 under control of one or more computer systems configured with executable instructions,
 receiving a first query from a first user, the first query including one or more query terms; 
 identifying one or more first sets of items, each first set of items corresponding to a respective one of the one or more query terms and including one or more items from previous query results, the previous query results being generated in response to previous queries that include the respective one of the one or more query terms, the one or more items having top rating scores among all items from the previous query results; 
 identifying a second set of items from the one or more first sets of items, the second set of items including one or more items that have top combined rating scores among all items in the one or more first sets of items; and 
 presenting the second set of items to the first user. 
   
     
     
         2 . The computer-implemented method of claim  18 , wherein the rating scores depend at least in part on frequencies with which selection actions are performed by precious users with respect to the one or more items, the selection actions being performed against the previous query results. 
     
     
         3 . The computer-implemented method of claim  19 , wherein the previous users correspond to a first demographic group. 
     
     
         4 . The computer-implemented method of claim  19 , wherein the rating scores further depend at least in part on types of selection actions performed by the previous users.