Method and system for intent-driven searching
The present teaching relates to searching. In one example, a search query is received from a person. A plurality of search results are retrieved based on the search query. An intent of the person is estimated with respect to at least some of the plurality of search results. The estimated intent is what the person intends to do with respect to the at least some of the plurality of search results. The plurality of search results are provided based on the estimated intent of the person.
1 . A method, implemented on a computing device having at least one processor, storage, and a communication platform capable of connecting to a network for providing enhanced search results, the method comprising:
determining, by a search engine, a first set of search results in response to a first search issued by a first user in a first application, wherein the first application is of an application environment;
providing, by the search engine, the first set of search results to the first application;
presenting, via the first application, the first set of search results to the first user;
tracking, within the first application, actions of the first user with respect to a first search result of the first set of search results;
initiating a second search issued by a second user in a second application, wherein the second application is of the application environment;
estimating, by the search engine and based on the tracked actions of the first user, which of a plurality of pre-defined intents that the second user has for the first search result;
modifying, by the search engine and based on the estimating, initial web-based search results for the second search to create enhanced web-based search results;
providing, by the search engine, the enhanced web-based search results to the second application; and
presenting, via the second application, the enhanced web-based search results to the second user.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the estimating which of the plurality of pre-defined intents that the second user has for the first search result is indicative of the second user's level of interest or engagement with respect to the first search result.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of pre-defined intents comprise:
an intent to save a search result;
an intent to share the search result; and
an intent to click the search result.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the actions of the first user comprise one or more of clicking, dwelling, scrolling, saving, and sharing.
5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
assigning a respective weight to each of the actions of the first user, wherein the estimating is based on the weights of the actions of the first user.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first user is determined based on a similarity to the second user.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the estimating is further based on one or more responses from a third user to one or more of actions of the first user.
8 . A system for providing enhanced search results, comprising:
memory storing computer program instructions; and
one or more processors that, in response to executing the computer program instructions, effectuate operations comprising:
determining, by a search engine, a first set of search results in response to a first search issued by a first user in a first application, wherein the first application is of an application environment;
providing, by the search engine, the first set of search results to the first application;
presenting, via the first application, the first set of search results to the first user;
tracking, within the first application, actions of the first user with respect to a first search result of the first set of search results;
initiating a second search issued by a second user in a second application, wherein the second application is of the application environment;
estimating, by the search engine and based on the tracked actions of the first user, which of a plurality of pre-defined intents that the second user has for the first search result;
modifying, by the search engine and based on the estimating, initial web-based search results for the second search to create enhanced web-based search results;
providing, by the search engine, the enhanced web-based search results to the second application; and
presenting, via the second application, the enhanced web-based search results to the second user.
9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the estimating which of the plurality of pre-defined intents that the second user has for the first search result is indicative of the second user's level of interest or engagement with respect to the first search result.
10 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of pre-defined intents comprise:
an intent to save a search result;
an intent to share the search result; and
an intent to click the search result.
11 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the actions of the first user comprise one or more of clicking, dwelling, scrolling, saving, and sharing.
12 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the operations further comprise:
assigning a respective weight to each of the actions of the first user, wherein the estimating is based on the weights of the actions of the first user.
13 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the first user is determined based on a similarity to the second user.
14 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the estimating is further based on one or more responses from a third user to one or more of actions of the first user.
15 . A non-transitory, machine-readable medium having information recorded thereon for providing enhanced search results, wherein the information, when read by a machine, effectuate operations comprising:
determining, by a search engine, a first set of search results in response to a first search issued by a first user in a first application, wherein the first application is of an application environment;
providing, by the search engine, the first set of search results to the first application;
presenting, via the first application, the first set of search results to the first user;
tracking, within the first application, actions of the first user with respect to a first search result of the first set of search results;
initiating a second search issued by a second user in a second application, wherein the second application is of the application environment;
estimating, by the search engine and based on the tracked actions of the first user, which of a plurality of pre-defined intents that the second user has for the first search result;
modifying, by the search engine and based on the estimating, initial web-based search results for the second search to create enhanced web-based search results;
providing, by the search engine, the enhanced web-based search results to the second application; and
presenting, via the second application, the enhanced web-based search results to the second user.
16 . The medium of claim 15 , wherein the estimating which of the plurality of pre-defined intents that the second user has for the first search result is indicative of the second user's level of interest or engagement with respect to the first search result.
17 . The medium of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of pre-defined intents comprise:
an intent to save a search result;
an intent to share the search result; and
an intent to click the search result.
18 . The medium of claim 15 , wherein the actions of the first user comprise one or more of clicking, dwelling, scrolling, saving, and sharing.
19 . The medium of claim 15 , wherein the operations further comprise:
assigning a respective weight to each of the actions of the first user, wherein the estimating is based on the weights of the actions of the first user.
20 . The medium of claim 15 , wherein the first user is determined based on a similarity to the second user.