Search Engine Query Customization and Search Site Rating System

Abstract

A method and system are provided for web search customization and web site rating. The system receives user input web sites, stores the web sites in a database, and groups them into user-specified categories. The system further allows users to select one or more web sites for customizing web search and querying the preselected sites using user input keywords. The system further provides the users with options to query a plurality of search engines. All web sites stored within the system are rated in response to the user operations. Each web site has at least a global rating indicating the rating within the system, a category rating indicating the rating within a given category, and a keyword rating indicating the rating for a given keyword. The system provides the users with a list of recommended web sites based on the web sites' ratings.

1 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A method for communications over a network comprising the steps of:
 receiving a search query from a first location on a network;   determining, by querying a database over said network, results of said search query and ranking said results based on predetermined criteria;   identifying at least one pre-defined group, defined by a person associated with said first location on said network, to which at least one said result of said search query belongs;   modifying said ranking by raising in an ordered list of said search results said at least one said result which belongs to said group;   sending data via said network to said first location comprising said results of said search query as modified by said raising said at least one said result which exists in said group.   
     
     
         27 - 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A method for communications over a network comprising the steps of:
 receiving data representative of a search query, wherein output of said search query comprises a list of websites;   determining that said search query is within a favorite category associated with a first user;   changing an order in which said websites are listed in results sent via said network to be exhibited at said location where said search query was sent, based on said search query returning a website within said favorite category associated with a first user.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said first user is additionally a user sending said search query. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said receiving data comprises receiving said search query from a second user, said determining comprises determining that said search query comprises a term associated with said favorite category of said first user, and said determining is carried out prior to said changing. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , further comprising counting a number of times a particular website appears in related categories to said search term of a plurality of said first users and wherein, during said changing of said order, the greater said number of times, the higher said website is listed. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising a step of receiving data from said first user indicating that a website in said results should be added to said favorite category, and adding said website in said results to said favorite category.