Biasing search results toward topics of interest using embedded relevance links

Abstract

Redirection ('biasing') architecture that automates the selection of topical terms in a search query, and provides a user-selectable (e.g., clickable) interface which enables the user to quickly and easily re-formulate and execute a new query using terms that return more focused search results. The redirection of search by biasing the terms (strings) can also be performed by indicating that certain results are not interesting to the user. For example, one way using an existing search engine, is to apply a search operator (e.g., a hyphen) to indicate that certain terms must not occur in the search results (negation). Accordingly, by automatically selecting topical terms to negate, constructing a query, and embedding the negation in a link with each results page result, considerable manual and cognitive effort is saved.