Method for organizing records of database search activity by topical relevance

摘要

A method for organizing records of a database by topical relevance generates statistics on relevance by monitoring search terms used and search paths traversed by a database user community. Records reviewed most often in relation to a given search term are assumed to be most relevant to that search term in the eyes of members of the user community. Additionally, a record reviewed in relation to a plurality of search terms is determined to be related by topical relevance to other records reviewed in relation to that plurality of search terms. Again, a probability is calculated, based on a frequency of record review and search terms used, as a measure of this record topical relevance. An embodiment directed toward Internet searches provides for seeding the probability calculations with information from labeled data available from open source Internet directories. The activities of the user community are monitored, for example, at a proxy server, or by reviewing proxy server logs. Other monitoring points are contemplated.