System and method of displaying search results based on density
A system and method is provided of generating a map. In one aspect, the map is selected based on a location provided by a user and listings are selected based on their proximity to the location, whether they match a query provided by the user, and the number of matching listings within regions of the map.
1. A method of providing a map covering an area comprising:
receiving a query via one or more processors, wherein the query includes a search term and a search area;
determining matching listings with the one or more processors, wherein a matching listing comprises a listing associated with a geographic location within the search area having information corresponding to the search term;
dividing, with the one or more processors, the search area into a plurality of regions and selecting, with the one or more processors, a number of matching listings for each region, wherein for each region the selected number of matching listings is proportional to the density of matching listings in that region; and
providing, with the one or more processors, a map of the search area and information about the selected number of matching listings for each region in the search area.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein a listing has information corresponding to the search term when the listing has information that includes the search term.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein a matching listing comprises a business listing associated with a street address.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the search area is determined from the coordinates of a map that is displayed to the user.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality of regions are substantially equal in area.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the information about the selected number of matching listings for each region comprises a second map showing the location of at least one of the selected number of matching listings.
7. The method of claim 6 further comprising compositing the second map with the map of the search area.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the information about the selected number of matching listings for each region comprises text data for at least one of the selected number of matching listings.
9. A system of providing a map covering an area comprising:
a memory having instructions stored therein; and
a processor coupled to the memory and configured to execute the instructions stored in the memory in order to:
receive a query, wherein the query includes a search term and a search area;
determine matching listings, wherein a matching listing comprises a listing associated with a geographic location within the search area having information corresponding to the search term;
divide the search area into a plurality of regions and select a number of matching listings for each region, wherein for each region the selected number of matching listings is proportional to the density of matching listings in that region; and
provide a map of the search area and information about the selected number of matching listings for each region in the search area.
10. The system of claim 9 wherein a listing has information corresponding to the search term when the listing has information that includes the search term.
11. The system of claim 9 wherein a matching listing comprises a business listing associated with a street address.
12. The system of claim 9 wherein the search area is determined from the coordinates of a map that is displayed to the user.
13. The system of claim 9 wherein the plurality of regions are substantially equal in area.
14. The system of claim 9 wherein the information about the selected number of matching listings for each region comprises a second map showing the location of at least one of the selected number of matching listings.
15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the processor is further configured to execute instructions to composite the second map with the map of the search area.
16. The system of claim 9 wherein the information about the selected number of matching listings for each region comprises text data for at least one of the selected number of matching listings.