Managing search results

Abstract

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for managing search results. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a set of search results. The set of search results is responsive to a search query received from a user. The method includes determining whether the search query is a navigational query or an exploratory query. The method also includes determining a number of search results to be presented to the user depending on whether the search query is determined to be a navigational query or an exploratory query.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computer-implemented method comprising:
 receiving a set of search results, wherein the set of search results is responsive to a search query received from a user;   determining whether the search query is a navigational query or an exploratory query; and   determining a number of search results to be presented to the user depending on whether the search query is determined to be a navigational query or an exploratory query.   
     
     
         2 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1  wherein determining whether the search query is a navigational query or an exploratory query comprises analyzing a score associated with at least one search result from the set of search results, wherein the score is associated with ranking the at least one search result in the set of search results and includes at least one of a title component and a category component. 
     
     
         3 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1  further comprising displaying the entire set of search results if the search query is determined to be an exploratory query. 
     
     
         4 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1  further comprising displaying a subset of the set of search results if the search query is determined to be a navigational query. 
     
     
         5 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 2  wherein analyzing the score includes comparing the title component of the score to a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         6 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 2  wherein analyzing the score includes comparing the category component of the score to a second predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         7 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein determining whether the search query is a navigational query or an exploratory query comprises analyzing stored user responses, wherein the stored user responses include user selections of search results previously presented in response to a previously submitted search query similar to the search query. 
     
     
         8 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 7  wherein analyzing the stored user responses includes:
 determining a degree of entropy associated with user selections of the previously presented search results. 
 
     
     
         9 . A system, comprising:
 one or more memories storing instructions; and   one or more processors, coupled to the one or more memories, and configured to execute the instructions stored on the one or more memories in order to:
 receive a set of search results, wherein the set of search results is responsive to a search query received from a user; 
 determine whether the search query is a navigational query or an exploratory query; and 
 determine a number of search results to be presented to the user depending on whether the search query is determined to be a navigational query or an exploratory query. 
   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  wherein determining whether the search query is a navigational query or an exploratory query comprises analyzing a score associated with at least one search result from the set of search results, wherein the score is associated with ranking the at least one search result in the set of search results and includes at least one of a title component and a category component. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the one or more processors are further configured to execute the instructions stored on the one or more memories in order to:
 display the entire set of search results if the search query is determined to be an exploratory query. 
 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9  wherein the one or more processors are further configured to execute the instructions stored on the one or more memories in order to:
 display a subset of the set of search results if the search query is determined to be a navigational query. 
 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10  wherein analyzing the score includes comparing the title component of the score to a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10  wherein analyzing the score includes comparing the category component of the score to a second predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 9  wherein determining whether the search query is a navigational query or an exploratory query comprises analyzing stored user responses, wherein the stored user responses include user selections of search results previously presented in response to a previously submitted search query similar to the search query. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein analyzing the stored user responses includes:
 determining a degree of entropy associated with user selections of the previously presented search results.