System and method for influencing a position on a search result list generated by a computer network search engine
View Patent ↗A method for providing a search result list. The method includes receiving a search request from a searcher. In a database of search listings in which each search listing is associated with an advertiser and includes at least one search term and a bid amount by the advertiser, search listings generating a match with the search request are identified. A predetermined number of identified search listings are selected according to bid amount for display to the searcher. The identified search listings are arranged for display in a random order as the search result list. The search result list is then communicated to the searcher.
1. A computer implemented method for operating a search system, the method comprising:
storing a plurality of search listing records, each search listing record including
data defining a search term,
data defining a bid amount chargeable to an advertiser upon receipt of
a click through selecting the search listing among displayed search results;
receiving from the advertiser a new desired rank for a search listing;
based on other search listings associated with the search term of the search listing, automatically determining a new bid amount for the search listing required to achieve the new desired rank for the search listing; and
automatically updating the stored search listing with the new bid amount.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein determining the new bid amount comprises:
locating a search listing for the search term having a rank no greater than the new desired rank;
retrieving bid amount associated with the located search listing; and
determining a bid N cents higher than the retrieved bid amount.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein N=1.
4. The method of claim 2 further comprising:
receiving a confirmation from the advertiser; and
updating the data defining the bid amounts for the plurality of search listing records.