Methods and systems for performing redirects to a search engine

Abstract

The present invention is related to methods and systems for processing search requests and for performing searches over a network. In an embodiment, a recipient designation is received from a user over a network. The designation indicates that future searches performed by the user are to be associated with the recipient (even if the subject matter of the search is not related to the recipient). A search request is received from the user; causing a search to be performed in response to the search request. An identifier corresponding to the recipient is stored in association with an indication regarding the occurrence of the first search request.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for processing search requests received over a network, the system comprising:
 a data store that stores identification information for a first plurality of recipients, wherein the first plurality of recipients are eligible to receive a benefit at least partly as the result of searches performed by individuals;   a computing device; and   program code stored in computer readable memory that when executed by the computing device is configured to:
 provide a user interface to a user terminal via which a user can identify a recipient at least from the plurality of recipients whose identification information is stored in the data store; 
 receive a search request from the user over the network; 
 store in a data store an indication relating to the search request received from the user terminal; 
 facilitating a search to be performed corresponding to the search request; 
 determine a payment allocation with respect to the identified recipient,
 wherein the payment allocation is related to the search request received from the user, wherein the user is same user providing the recipient designation, 
 even when the search request subject matter is unrelated to the designated recipient.