Providing Rich, Qualified Search Results with Messaging Between Buyers and Sellers

Abstract

The present disclosure provides for an on-line venue in which search results are displayed with rich media and qualified content and the ability to contact multiple of the sources anonymously or otherwise communicate what product or service they want to purchase by posting an interactive request that a number of sellers can then directly respond to. This enables a higher quality of web search results and for the buyer's to directly match their needs with qualified vendors. A buyer's request can be broadcast to relevant sellers or service providers that can be preselected by the buyer. Such embodiments may take the burden from a buyer in finding the right products and services by self-qualifying the request to proactive prospective sellers.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for improving search results that are to be provided to a user device, the method comprising:
 communicating, via a first communication path, from a server to a provider computer system of a provider, a search result comprising an option for the provider to verify an ownership of a matched service that is included in the search result;   receiving, by the server from the provider computer system, a verification request for verifying the ownership of the matched service;   providing, via a second communication path, using the server, a provided ownership verification code to the provider computer system wherein the second communication path is different than the first communication path;   receiving, using the server, an indication from the provider computer system, wherein the indication comprises a used ownership verification code used by the provider computer system;   comparing the used ownership verification code with the provided ownership verification code to determine whether the ownership of the matched service is verified, thus being a verified ownership; and   providing, using the server, an updated search result to the user device, wherein the updated search result comprises the matched service with the verified ownership, thereby associating the provider with the matched service.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second communication path is different than the first communication path. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein providing the updated search result to the user device comprises providing the updated search result via the first communication path. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 providing, using the server, a user interface to the provider, wherein the user interface is configured to allow the provider to establish a new provider account and to allow the provider to modify the matched service with the verified ownership by the provider; and   storing modifications made by the provider via the user interface.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the search result includes contact data, the contact data including at least one of an email address and a phone number for the provider if the provider is associated with the matched service. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the providing the provided ownership verification code to the provider computer system comprises sending the provided ownership verification code using the contact data in the search result. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising selecting an image for the search result, the image selected based on at least one of an image resolution, image dimensions, and image colors. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, prior to providing the updated search result, sorting the matched service and one or more other services into an order, the order based at least in part on previous user experiences with at least one of the matched service and the one or more other services. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second communication path comprises a path via a verification website that is managed by a third party.