Providing search results based on network diversities

Abstract

A method and system for evaluating the reputation of a member of a social networking system is disclosed. Consistent with an embodiment of the invention, one or more attributes associated with a social networking profile of a member of a social network are analyzed. Based on the analysis, a ranking, rating or score is assigned to a particular category of reputation. When requested, the ranking, rating or score is displayed to a user of the social network.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computer-implemented method for matching a plurality of results to a search request, the method comprising:
 storing a plurality of relationships between a plurality of members of a social network, the plurality of members including a searching member and a plurality of target members;   receiving the search request, the search request initiated on behalf of the searching member;   processing the search request to identify the plurality of results, the plurality of results including profiles of the plurality of target members;   analyzing the plurality of relationships to determine the diversities of the networks of the plurality of target members, the diversities being suggestive of authenticities of the profiles of the plurality of target members, wherein the analyzing of the plurality of relationships is performed by a processor; and   sorting the plurality of results for providing to the searching member based on the diversities of the networks of the plurality of target members.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the diversities of the networks of each of the plurality of target members is based on percentages of contacts of each of the plurality of target members in each category of a plurality of categories of network diversity, the plurality of categories of network diversity including two or more of industries, professions, locations, interests, and skills. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the diversities of the networks of each of the plurality of target members is further based on percentages of contacts of first-degree connections of each of the plurality of target members in each category of the plurality of categories of network diversity. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining an aggregate score for a network reputation indicator of each of the plurality of target members based on the diversities of each of the networks of each of the plurality of target members. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising deriving a norm diversity of profiles of the members of the social network and wherein the processing of the search request to identify the plurality of results includes comparing the diversities of the profiles of each of the plurality of target members to the norm diversity. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising identifying clusters of members of the social network based having similar diversity profiles based on the analyzing of the plurality of relationships. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising generating scores to associate with the profiles of the plurality of target members based on the diversities of the networks of the plurality of target members. 
     
     
         8 . A system for matching a plurality of results to a search request, the system comprising:
 a memory comprising a set of instructions;   storing a plurality of relationships between a plurality of members of a social network, the plurality of members including a searching member and a plurality of target members;   receiving the search request, the search request initiated on behalf of the searching member;   processing the search request to identify the plurality of results, the plurality of results including profiles of the plurality of target members;   analyzing the plurality of relationships to determine the diversities of the networks of the plurality of target members, the diversities being suggestive of authenticities of the profiles of the plurality of target members; and   sorting the plurality of results for providing to the searching member based on the diversities of the networks of the plurality of target members.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the diversities of the networks of each of the plurality of target members is based on percentages of contacts of each of the plurality of target members in each category of a plurality of categories of network diversity, the plurality of categories of network diversity including two or more of industries, professions, locations, interests, and skills. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the diversities of the networks of each of the plurality of target members is further based on percentages of contacts of first-degree connections of each of the plurality of target members in each category of the plurality of categories of network diversity. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to, based on the set of instructions, determine an aggregate score for a network reputation indicator of each of the plurality of target members based on the diversities of the networks of each of the plurality of target members. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to, based on the set of instructions, derive a norm diversity of profiles of the members of the social network and wherein the processing of the search request to identify the plurality of results includes comparing the diversities of the profiles of each of the plurality of target members to the norm diversity. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to, based on the set of instructions, identify clusters of members of the social network based having similar diversity profiles based on the analyzing of the plurality of relationships. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to, based on the set of instructions, generate scores to associate with the profiles of the plurality of target members based on the diversities of the networks of the plurality of target members. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus for matching a plurality of results to a search request, the apparatus comprising:
 means for storing a plurality of relationships between a plurality of members of a social network, the plurality of members including a searching member and a plurality of target members;   means for receiving the search request, the search request initiated on behalf of the searching member;   means for processing the search request to identify the plurality of results, the plurality of results including profiles of the plurality of target members;   means for analyzing the plurality of relationships to determine the diversities of the networks of the plurality of target members, the diversities being suggestive of authenticities of the profiles of the plurality of target members; and   means for sorting the plurality of results for providing to the searching member based on the diversities of the networks of the plurality of target members.   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the diversities of the networks of each of the plurality of target members is based on percentages of contacts of each of the plurality of target members in each category of a plurality of categories of network diversity, the plurality of categories of network diversity including two or more of industries, professions, locations, interests, and skills. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the diversities of the networks of each of the plurality of target members is further based on percentages of contacts of first-degree connections of each of the plurality of target members in each category of the plurality of categories of network diversity. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising means for determining an aggregate score for a network reputation indicator of each of the plurality of target members based on the diversities of each of the networks of each of the plurality of target members. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising means for deriving a norm diversity of profiles of the members of the social network and wherein the processing of the search request to identify the plurality of results includes comparing the diversities of the profiles of each of the plurality of target members to the norm diversity. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising means for identifying clusters of members of the social network based having similar diversity profiles based on the analyzing of the plurality of relationships.