Internet site searching and listing service based on monetary ranking of site listings

• Main Authors: BUCK; BRYAN J, MELCHER; MICHAEL
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 20.06.2000
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: CALCULATING; COMPUTING; COUNTING; DATA PROCESSING SYSTEMS OR METHODS, SPECIALLY ADAPTED FORADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL, SUPERVISORYOR FORECASTING PURPOSES; ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING; PHYSICS; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE,COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL, SUPERVISORY OR FORECASTINGPURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

A system of network site searching and listing employs a server which maintains a listings database containing site listings, provided by subscribers, each of which includes a title or description of the content of the respective site, a network address at which the site can be accessed, and a denominated value to be paid by the subscriber as a subscription fee for the site listing. In response to search queries, the server provides a search report of listings ranked according to the subscription fees paid by the subscribers. The higher the amount paid for a given subscription period in relation to other listers, the higher the site's ranking on the service's search reports. Through an account monitoring interface, subscribers can monitor the ranking of their listings and modify their account information and subscription fees automatically at any time. The denominated-values approach to rankings may be used in conjunction with the index search method or the category search method. The denominated-values database may also be linked to other search services, and the denominated-values rankings of the listings can be converted into the relevancy measures used by the other search services. The service provides immediate placement control for subscribers, without high transaction costs or delays, based on a ranking system determined by monetary value rather than arbitrary relevancy factors.