Search system using search subdomain and hints to subdomains in search query statements and sponsored results on a subdomain-by-subdomain basis
View Patent ↗A method and apparatus for generating search results including searching by subdomain and providing sponsored results by subdomain is provided. A search system according to embodiments of the present invention analyzes search queries to determine if they are to be routed to subdomains and presents results include sponsored hits sponsored on a subdomain by subdomain basis.
1. A method comprising:
receiving a search query string from a first user;
identifying a plurality of keywords in the search query string;
determining whether any keyword, of the plurality of keywords, qualifies as a location keyword based on the keyword satisfying certain criteria;
wherein determining whether any keyword qualifies as a location keyword includes determining that the search query string includes a location keyword;
determining that the location keyword is associated with a first location;
in response to determining that the location keyword is associated with the first location, identifying one or more location-specific results;
wherein the one or more location-specific results are associated with the first location; and
providing the one or more location-specific results as a response to the search query string;
wherein the method is performed by one or more computing devices.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving a second search query string;
determining that the second search query string is implicitly local; and
adding the location keyword to the second search query string.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving information, from the first user, selecting a second location that is different than the first location;
in response to receiving said information, identifying second location-specific results associated with the second location; and
providing the second location-specific results as a response to the search query string.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising identifying the first location based, at least in part, on a mobile access point.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving a second search query string that includes a particular term;
identifying a second location based, at least in part, on determining that at least one entry in one or more query logs (a) is associated with a logged search query string that includes the particular term, and (b) indicates selection of a page that is associated with the second location.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving a second search query string that includes a particular term;
identifying a second location based, at least in part, on a table of terms with meanings that are location-specific;
wherein the table of terms includes a particular entry that associates the particular term with the second location.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving information, from the first user, requesting generic search results;
in response to receiving said information:
identifying non-location-specific search results;
wherein identifying the non-location-specific search results is not specific to a particular location; and
providing the non-location-specific search results as a response to the search query string.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
identifying the one or more location-specific results from a subdomain that is indexed according to location.
9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving a second search query string;
wherein the search query string includes the location keyword;
determining that the location keyword is at least included in an entry of a list of location-exception terms;
in response to determining that the location keyword is at least included in the entry of the list of location-exception terms, identifying one or more non-location-specific results;
wherein the one or more non-location-specific results are not specific to any particular location; and
providing the one or more non-location-specific results as a response to the second search query string.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein:
the second search query string comprises a second term; and
determining that the location keyword is at least included in the entry of the list of location-exception terms comprises identifying the second term in the entry of the list of location-exception terms.
11. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause performance of:
receiving a search query string from a first user;
identifying a plurality of keywords in the search query string;
determining whether any keyword, of the plurality of keywords, qualifies as a location keyword based on the keyword satisfying certain criteria;
wherein determining whether any keyword qualifies as a location keyword includes determining that the search query string includes a location keyword;
determining that the location keyword is associated with a first location;
in response to determining that the location keyword is associated with the first location, identifying one or more location-specific results;
wherein the one or more location-specific results are associated with the first location; and
providing the one or more location-specific results as a response to the search query string.
12. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 11 , the instructions further comprising instructions for:
receiving a second search query string:
determining that the second search query string is implicitly local; and
adding the location keyword to the second search query string.
13. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 11 , the instructions further comprising instructions for:
receiving information, from the first user, selecting a second location that is different than the first location;
in response to receiving said information, identifying second location-specific results associated with the second location; and
providing the second location-specific results as a response to the search query string.
14. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 11 , the instructions further comprising instructions for identifying the first location based, at least in part, on a mobile access point.
15. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 11 , the instructions further comprising instructions for:
receiving a second search query string that includes a particular term;
identifying a second location based, at least in part, on determining that at least one entry in one or more query logs (a) is associated with a logged search query string that includes the particular term, and (b) indicates selection of a page that is associated with the second location.
16. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 11 , the instructions further comprising instructions for:
receiving a second search query string that includes a particular term,
identifying a second location based, at least in part, on a table of terms with meanings that are location-specific;
wherein the table of terms includes a particular entry that associates the particular term with the second location.
17. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 11 , the instructions further comprising instructions for:
receiving information, from the first user, requesting generic search results;
in response to receiving said information:
identifying non-location-specific search results;
wherein identifying the non-location-specific search results is not specific to a particular location; and
providing the non-location-specific search results as a response to the search query string.
18. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 11 , the instructions further comprising instructions for:
identifying the one or more location-specific results from a subdomain that is indexed according to location.
19. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 11 , the instructions further comprising instructions for:
receiving a second search query string;
wherein the search query string includes the location keyword;
determining that the location keyword is at least included in an entry of a list of location-exception terms;
in response to determining that the location keyword is at least included in the entry of the list of location-exception terms, identifying one or more non-location-specific results;
wherein the one or more non-location-specific results are not specific to any particular location; and
providing the one or more non-location-specific results as a response to the second search query string.
20. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 19 , wherein:
the second search query string comprises a second term; and
determining that the location keyword is at least included in the entry of the list of location-exception terms comprises identifying the second term in the entry of the list of location-exception terms.