Search System Using Search Subdomain And Hints To Subdomains In Search Query Statements And Sponsored Results On A Subdomain-By-Subdomain Basis

Abstract

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 receiving, via the internet, a search query string from a client system;   identifying, using a search server computer, a plurality of keywords in the search query string;   determining that the search query string lacks a location keyword by:
 for each keyword in the plurality of keywords, determining, using the search server computer, that the keyword is not associated with any geographic location; 
   determining, using the search server computer, that the search query string is implicitly local;   determining a geographic location associated with the client system;   in response to determining that the search query string is implicitly local, identifying, using the search server computer, one or more location-specific results that are associated with the geographic location;   providing, using the search server computer, the one or more location-specific results to the client system associated with the first user as a response to the search query string.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining a geographic location associated with the client system includes determining the geographic location associated with user preferences of a user of the client system. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining a geographic location associated with the client system includes determining the geographic location based on an IP/network address associated with said client system. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining a geographic location associated with the client system includes determining the geographic location based on a mobile access point used by the client system to send the search query string. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining that the search query string is implicitly local is based, at least in part, on determining that the search query string reflects an intent to make a purchase that is typically made locally. 
     
     
         6 . 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 associated with the geographic location to the second search query string.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving information, from the first user, selecting a second location that is different than the geographic 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.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising identifying the geographic location based, at least in part, on a mobile access point associated with the client system. 
     
     
         9 . 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.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving information, from the client system of 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. 
   
     
     
         11 . A system comprising:
 one or more processors;   a non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that when executed by the one or more processors perform:
 receiving, via the internet, a search query string from a client system; 
 identifying, using a search server computer, a plurality of keywords in the search query string; 
 determining that the search query string lacks a location keyword by:
 for each keyword in the plurality of keywords, determining, using the search server computer, that the keyword is not associated with any geographic location; 
 
 determining, using the search server computer, that the search query string is implicitly local; 
 determining a geographic location associated with the client system; 
 in response to determining that the search query string is implicitly local, identifying, using the search server computer, one or more location-specific results that are associated with the geographic location; 
 providing, using the search server computer, the one or more location-specific results to the client system associated with the first user as a response to the search query string. 
   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein determining a geographic location associated with the client system includes determining the geographic location associated with user preferences of a user of the client system. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein determining a geographic location associated with the client system includes determining the geographic location based on an IP/network address associated with said client system. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein determining a geographic location associated with the client system includes determining the geographic location based on a mobile access point used by the client system to send the search query string. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein determining that the search query string is implicitly local is based, at least in part, on determining that the search query string reflects an intent to make a purchase that is typically made locally. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium has further instructions stored thereon that when executed by the one or more processors further perform:
 receiving a second search query string;   determining that the second search query string is implicitly local; and   adding the location keyword associated with the geographic location to the second search query string.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium has further instructions stored thereon that when executed by the one or more processors further perform:
 receiving information, from the first user, selecting a second location that is different than the geographic 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.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium has further instructions stored thereon that when executed by the one or more processors further perform identifying the geographic location based, at least in part, on a mobile access point associated with the client system. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium has further instructions stored thereon that when executed by the one or more processors further perform:
 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.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium has further instructions stored thereon that when executed by the one or more processors further perform:
 receiving information, from the client system of 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.