Enhancing network information retrieval according to a user search profile

摘要

An enhancement to a search engine is disclosed for prioritizing search results obtained from an information search engine such as those accessible via a network (e.g., the Internet and/or a corporate intranet). In response to a user search query, the enhanced search engine of the invention prioritizes the search results using stored information indicative of network sites: (a) previously visited by the user, and/or (b) to which the user has indicated an interest (or disinterest) in the content thereof. Additionally, the invention prioritizes the search results using stored information indicative of other users that are determined to have similar searching interests. Thus, since the stored information can dynamically change, repeated performances of the same search can present different initial, more user customized, portions of the search results.