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Microsoft shows off improved search

Steven Parker   on 08 August 2006 - 11:20 · 12 comments & 5568 views

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Microsoft scientists have some new thoughts when it comes to search ranking and retrieval accuracy. New techniques for analyzing search relevance--the way users browse and click through specific content--can improve the algorithms used to rank results, according to two papers submitted by a group of Microsoft researchers.

"Most search engines today use a somewhat two-dimensional approach, matching user queries with the content and link structure of Web pages to return a list of results. We're looking at how to add a third dimension--the users themselves--to improve the search experience," said Eugene Agichtein, a researcher in the Mining, Search and Navigation Group within Microsoft Research.

View: Full Article @ C|Net News

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(2 replies) #1 markjensen on 08 Aug 2006 - 12:28
Sounds like they will get more relevant results with this, but at the expense of increased "surveillance" of the user - following them through links and tracking how long they are dwelling at each site.
#1.1 kizzaaa on 08 Aug 2006 - 13:22
I'm guessing the end-user will have the option to disable that 'feature'. Although anything to get more precise results is a good thing.
#1.2 FloridaROCS on 08 Aug 2006 - 18:54
does anyone not actually think all the major search engines do this? god, adclick has been doing this for forever.
#2 Ivand on 08 Aug 2006 - 13:06
didnt google add that "third" dimension with personalized search?
(3 replies) #3 SlimShady on 08 Aug 2006 - 13:08
Just a simple vote/rating system would be perfect. Ajax-style; should not reload the page.
Then sort the results according to the average rating.
#3.1 Smigit on 08 Aug 2006 - 13:40
If you mean rating each "result" then its far too much effort when your dealing with more than about 20 results for most people to really bother with. I doubt that many people have all their songs in WMP rated for instance.
#3.2 SlimShady on 08 Aug 2006 - 15:21
Quote - Smigit said @ #3.1
If you mean rating each "result" then its far too much effort when your dealing with more than about 20 results for most people to really bother with. I doubt that many people have all their songs in WMP rated for instance.

You don't need to rate everything. Only the results you clicked.
If you visited 20 links and 5 of them were useful, rate them and they will be placed higher for future users.
And if they were bad they will "disappear".
#3.3 duhk on 08 Aug 2006 - 16:05
not having to rate anything sounds better.
(2 replies) #4 *John* on 08 Aug 2006 - 13:11
Search engine logging individual users searches scares me

We need an Open Source search engine tbh...
#4.1 kizzaaa on 08 Aug 2006 - 13:28
That wouldn't really worry me?

The sites that I visit and what I download is already logged with the time and date stamp at my ISP anyway. If a search service can use that data and actively give me more specific and clear-cut results, then I see that as a good thing.
#4.2 billyea on 08 Aug 2006 - 21:02
open source search engine? whatever man, Google is proprietary and it still works
#5 xMorpheousx416 on 08 Aug 2006 - 14:22
lol

With an independent study performed by VistorVille Intelligence (internet tracking company)...66.3% of Microsoft employees use Google over their own search engine. Must really feel good to the development team for MS Search to walk by more than half of MS's employees and see them using Google.

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