Abstract:
A method and system for improving the reliability of search results from a search engine by linking third parties having information relevant to a searcher&#39;s query directly to that searcher. The search engines maintain a database of searchers and their contact information and a registered searcher inputs a query to that search engine that matches keywords or other parameters linked to a particular third party or third parties, that third party or third parties can choose to respond directly to the searcher with information relevant to the searcher&#39;s query. The third party may thereby disseminate useful information which it desires that searcher to have and which is relevant to the searcher&#39;s query and the searcher obtains information directly relevant to his or her query.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates generally to improvements to Internet searching and retrieval of information. More particularly, the present invention relates to improvements to Internet search engines enabling a third party to link directly to a specific user to provide the user with the information specific to that user&#39;s query.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The Internet and more particularly the World Wide Web has grown dramatically both in the amount of information which can be obtained and the number of users connected to the Internet. The Internet has become a valuable research tool enabling users in virtually any location with access to the Internet to search for, access and download information on an endless array of topics. The amount of information available through the Internet is increasing substantially on daily basis. While this provides significant advantages for searchers in providing a large database of potential information relevant to a particular topic, the expansive nature of the Internet also causes problems.  
           [0003]    In order to maximize the opportunity for locating relevant information most searchers on the Internet make use of so-called “search engines”, that is facilities which provide tools for searching the Internet, usually based on the entry of a keyword or words by a searcher accessing the search engine through the Internet. The search engine then retrieves a list of web sites, usually ranked based on apparent relevance to the search query, and a searcher may then access Web pages located by the search by clicking through links on the search engine&#39;s response page.  
           [0004]    The difficulty with this approach is that often information returned by a search engine contains a vast amount of information which is irrelevant to the searcher&#39;s keyword query. These irrelevant entries are located by the search engine for various reasons, including web site owners who take steps to improve their web site&#39;s ranking by using various techniques which skew results so that the web site appears on search engine search pages at a higher ranking, or appear on pages for a particular keyword or words for which that web site as little or no relevance. The irrelevant entries can also appear on a search engine&#39;s response page quite innocently due to the nature of the search parameters selected by the searcher which may correspond with similar parameters used legitimately on a web site, even though the web site itself may have no relevance to the searcher&#39;s query.  
           [0005]    As the Internet grows and as web sites develop more sophisticated techniques for skewing search results from search engines, the problem of irrelevant search results will increase thereby reducing the effectiveness of searching using a search engine. If searchers are repeatedly provided with search engine response pages containing a vast amount of irrelevant web site references, even if there are a few relevant web page references among those irrelevant entries, they will begin to view search results with a high degree of scepticism and may resort to alternate search means. This will ultimately reduce the effectiveness of the Internet as a research tool and resource for locating information and reduce reliance by searchers on Internet search engines. This also means that those search engines which can improve the reliability of search results for their users will have a competitive advantage over search engines unable to provide users with information relevant to a search query. Searchers will soon discover the search engines which are better at providing reliable results and will migrate their search activities to those search engines and away from search engines which provide less reliable search results.  
           [0006]    From a searcher&#39;s perspective Internet searching, as compared to other means of obtaining information, is only as effective as the means for returning accurate, relevant materials. This, to a large extent, is the reason why search engines themselves have become the most popular means for searching the Internet. Because of the vast amount of information accessible on the Internet, the potential for retrieving relevant information is much greater for most searches, as compared to other means of obtaining information. However, if irrelevant information is included is a part of a search engine&#39;s response page, this can often result in relevant information being “buried” among a vast amount of irrelevant information. It can often be extremely time-consuming for a searcher to sort through vast amounts of irrelevant information in order to locate relevant information. Even worse, the irrelevant information can push relevant information further down a search engine&#39;s response page or pages to a point where a searcher gives up before locating that relevant entry.  
           [0007]    In many cases there exists third party companies which have a direct interest, whether commercial or otherwise, in providing relevant information to those searching the Internet for specific information available for dissemination by those companies. Those third party companies have no means of locating and communicating with those searchers many of which would want to receive that information if made available to them.  
           [0008]    For example, if an Internet searcher, using an Internet search engine, wishes to locate a used car of a particular make and model for sale within a particular price range and which is located geographically near the searcher, an inquiry to a typical Internet search engine would provide that searcher with a plethora of useless information. This might includes information about new vehicles, information about vehicles outside of the searcher&#39;s geographical location, information about insuring motor vehicles, and other non-relevant information. What the searcher wants is a response identifying the particular vehicle in question, its price range within the parameters established in the search query and the name and address of a nearby dealer who is offering to sell that used vehicle. If a car dealer was linked to the search engine as a third party entitled to access the searcher&#39;s query that dealer would welcome the opportunity of providing the searcher with the specific information of interest to that searcher.  
           [0009]    There is need to increase the reliability of the results of Internet searching using Internet search engines. There is also need to provide Internet searchers with information specific to their Internet search queries from reliable sources wishing to impart that information to those searchers. There is a further need to enable third parties who have resources to provide reliable information to Internet searchers to communicate with those searchers in provide them with information specific to their queries. There is a need to ensure that those third parties are controlled to ensure that only information relevant to a searcher&#39;s inquiry are provided and that no unnecessary or irrelevant material is provided which might reduce the effectiveness of such a search process.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    The present invention provides a method and system for improving the reliability of search results from a search engine by linking third parties having information relevant to a searcher&#39;s query directly to that searcher. The search engines maintained a database of searchers and their contact information. When a registered searcher inputs a query to that search engine that matches keywords or other parameters linked to a particular third party or third parties, that third party or third parties can choose to respond directly to the searcher with information relevant to the searcher&#39;s query. The third party may thereby disseminate useful information which it desires that searcher to have and which is relevant to the searcher&#39;s query. The searcher obtains information directly relevant to his or her query. The search engine&#39;s reputation is enhanced with an increase in the reliability of searches undertaken by registered searchers. An increase of search traffic to that search engine will normally follow. The search engine also benefits by receiving consideration from third parties for the privilege of being permitted to communicate directly with searchers to provide them with relevant information.  
           [0011]    In an embodiment of the invention a method of improving the reliability of search results through an Internet search engine includes the steps of (a) obtaining contact information from a third party desiring to provide information relating to specific subject matter to an Internet user making a search query relating to that subject matter through the search engine; (b) storing the third party&#39;s contact information and specific subject matter in a third party database record; (c) obtaining the contact information of an Internet user desiring to make a search query to an Internet search engine web site; (d) storing that Internet user&#39;s contact information in a user database record; (e) receiving a search query from the Internet user through the Internet search engine; (f) providing the Internet user with the search results containing web site references based on the search query; and (g) if the search query of the Internet user relates to the specific subject matter, providing the third party with the Internet user&#39;s contact information to enable the third party to contact that Internet user to provide the information relating to the specific subject matter to the Internet user.  
           [0012]    The method may include, after step (f), only if the third party&#39;s web site reference appears as a part of the search results, proceeding to step (g).  
           [0013]    The method may include, at step (c), associating one or more key words with the third party, the key words corresponding to the subject matter; at step (d), storing the key words in the third party database record; and after step (f), determining key words based on the search query and only if one or more of the keywords associated with the third party match any of the key words based on the search query, proceeding to step (g).  
           [0014]    The method may include, at step (c), obtaining assurances from the third party that the third party will only provide Internet Users with the information relating to the specific subject matter and the third party&#39;s contact information.  
           [0015]    The method may include, at step (c), obtaining assurances from the third party that the third party will only contact the Internet User once for each query and only to provide the Internet User with the information relating to the specific subject matter and the third party&#39;s contact information.  
           [0016]    The method may include, at step (g) advising the third party that a query from the Internet user relates to the specific subject matter.  
           [0017]    The method may include, at step (g), wherein providing the third party with the Internet user&#39;s contact information is undertaken by providing the Internet user&#39;s contact information to the third party whenever the search engine receives a query which relates to the specific subject matter from the Internet user.  
           [0018]    The method may include, at step (g) wherein providing the third party with the Internet user&#39;s contact information is undertaken by providing access to the third party to the database record of the Internet user making the query that relates to the specific subject matter.  
           [0019]    The method may include, after step (g), monitoring the information provided by the third party to the Internet user to ensure that only the information relating to the specific subject matter and the third party&#39;s contact information are provided by the third party to the user.  
           [0020]    In a further embodiment, a system for improving the reliability of search results through an Internet search engine includes the steps of: (a) a third party database for storing a record of third party contact information and information relating to specific subject matter provided by the third party; (b) a Internet user database for storing a record of an Internet user who has agreed to receive the information relating to specific subject matter from the third party; (c) means for receiving a search query from the Internet user, undertake a search of the Internet based on the search query and providing the search results to the Internet user; (d) determining means for determining if the search query of the Internet user relates to the specific subject matter stored in the third party database record; and (e) means for providing the third party with the Internet user&#39;s contact information from the Internet user database record to enable the third party to contact that Internet user to provide the information relating to the specific subject matter to the Internet user if the determining means determines that the search query of the Internet user relates to the specific subject matter.  
           [0021]    In a further embodiment a method of linking an Internet user inputting a query using an Internet search engine with a third party desiring to provide information relevant to the query of that Internet user; includes the steps of (a) obtaining the contact information of the Internet user; (b) storing the Internet user&#39;s contact information in an Internet users database record; (c) obtaining a query from the Internet user through the Internet search engine; (d) undertaking an Internet search by means of the Internet search engine based on the query and providing the search results to the Internet user; and (e) providing the Internet users contact information contained in the Internet user&#39;s database record to a third party having information relevant to the query to enable the third party to contact the Internet user directly by means of the Internet user&#39;s contact information to provide the Internet user with the information relevant to the query. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0022]    [0022]FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the basic components used to implement the subject invention;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating the subject invention from the perspective of an Internet user accessing the Internet search engine;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating the subject invention from the perspective of a third party;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating the Internet user registration process of the subject invention;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the Internet user registration process of the subject invention;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 5- 1  is a table illustrating user profile records;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating the search process of the present invention;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating the provision of information from the third party to the Internet user;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 7- 1  is a diagram illustration of a third party registration form;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 8 is a diagram illustration of a user registration form;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating the flow of information from the Internet user to the user database;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 9- 1  is a table illustrating user profile records with search queries;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating the flow of information between the Internet user, the search engine and the third party when a search query is made; 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0035]    The method and system for improving the reliability of search engine information will be described with reference to the drawings. These details are provided in order to fully set forth a preferred embodiment of the inventions, and not to limit the scope of the invention; the scope of the invention is defined only by the appended claims.  
         [0036]    Referring to FIG. 1, the subject invention is depicted in the general manner in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. User  10  having a computer with a Web browser linked to the Internet is able to access WebServer  12  operated by an Internet search engine in the normal manner. The Internet search engine operates by means of search engine server  14  which contains appropriate software and hardware to operate the functions of an Internet search engine. The search engine server  14  is further linked to computer database  16  which contains personal information of user  10  in the event that user  10  wishes to obtain third party information as discussed further detail below. Third party  18  with a computer with search software is linked to the Internet and is able to access WebServer  12  operated by the Internet search engine. Third party  18  accesses reverse search engine server  20  linked to database  16  through WebServer  12 . Optionally the search engine server  14  and the reverse search engine server  20  can be the same server.  
         [0037]    The present invention does not change the manner in which the Internet search engine handles queries from Internet users. These queries constitute keywords or other search terms which are used by the search engine to search the Internet and to return results to the Internet user which usually contain a list of WebSite references based on the search query. Users  10  are able to perform searches using the Internet search engine in the same manner as prior to adopting the method and system of the present invention.  
         [0038]    In the event that user  10  wishes to take the benefit of the subject invention and obtain third party  18  information relating to the search query made by user  10 , user  10  must register with the Internet search engine in provide certain information to enable a third party  18  to contact the user  10  directly. As represented by arrow  22 , information flows from user  10  to WebServer  12  then to WebServer  14  and finally to database  16  where it is stored for future reference.  
         [0039]    This information is made up of the User&#39;s personal information (sometimes referred to as the user&#39;s profile), and includes contact information which would allow third party  18  to directly contact user  10  to provide information relevant to a query by user  10  directly to user  10 , as represented by arrow  24 . The query by user  10  is undertaken in the usual manner for undertaking searches using a search engine over the Internet, the flow of information relating to the query represented by arrows  26 . The query information flows from user  10  to WebServer  12  and then from WebServer  12  to search engine server  14  where the search software undertakes an Internet search and provides the results to user  10  in the usual fashion.  
         [0040]    The user&#39;s profile is stored in the Database after being categorized in accordance with a desired categorization parameter, such as industry group, keywords, etc. The categorization of the third party can be included in a field of the user profile record. The software resident on search engine server  14  informs the user of the successful completion of the registration of the user with the search engine, the flow of information represented by arrows  28 . The Internet search engine can optionally take steps following the registration of user  10 , and based on the user&#39;s profile, to validate the accuracy of the information in the user&#39;s profile. This personal registration is required to make sure the user&#39;s profile is accurate and to prevent the fraudulent use of the search service through the Internet search engine.  
         [0041]    Third party  18  has direct access to database  16  in order to obtain a copy of the user&#39;s profile, as represented by arrow  30 . Third party  18 , through its user agreement with the Internet search engine, is authorized to use the contact information contained in the user&#39;s profile in order to contact the user directly with information relating to the user&#39;s query, as depicted by arrow  24 .  
         [0042]    When user  10  provides a search query through WebServer  12  to search engine server  14  the query is stored in database  16  in a record tied to a user&#39;s profile.  
         [0043]    A third party  18  desiring to provide Internet users making search queries of the Internet search engine with information specific to those queries must first register with the Internet search engine, the flow of information depicted by arrows  32 . Registration could involve payment of a fee to the Internet search engine or other consideration in exchange for the opportunity to provide information to those Internet users. This information is stored in a third party database record which can be stored in database  16  or a separate database (not shown). The third party  18  information includes a description of the specific subject matter which third party  18  wishes to impart to user  10  in the event that the search query of user  10  relates to that subject matter. This will enable the Internet search engine to ensure that only information relevant to a user  10  search query will be provided to user  10  by third party  18  as depicted by arrow  24 .  
         [0044]    Third party  18 , once registered, is able to search database  16  for a user search query which relates to the specific subject matter contained in the third party  18  information. If such a search query is located third party  18  may access the user&#39;s profile linked with that query in order to obtain contact information for user  10 , the flow of information depicted by arrows  30 . Third party  18  then provides user  10  with information specific to that subject matter as depicted by arrow  24 . Optionally, the Internet search engine can control third party  18  access to database  16  to verify that a user&#39;s search query relates to the third party&#39;s  18  subject matter as stored in the third party&#39;s database record before providing the user&#39;s contact information for that query. As a further option, third party  18  is only permitted to access the user&#39;s profile to obtain contact information for that user if the third party&#39;s web site reference is contained on the search report provided to the user  10  when the Internet search engine undertakes the search relating to that query.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating the subject invention from the perspective of Internet user  10  accessing the Internet search engine in order to undertake an Internet search in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating the manner in which user  10  is registered with the search engine in order to receive information relating to the user&#39;s search queries, directly from third parties.  
         [0046]    User  10  with a computer having Web browser software is connected to the Internet (block  201 ). When user  10  wishes to undertake an Internet search using an Internet search engine which utilizes the subject invention, user  10  accesses the Internet search engine&#39;s web site through the Internet. If user  10  has not registered with the Internet search engine to receive information from third parties a screen display provides user  10  with the option of so registering. If user  10  indicates that he wishes to register to receive third party information user  10  is directed to the process depicted in FIG. 4.  
         [0047]    Referring to FIG. 4, user  10  indicates his or her desire to register to receive third party information at block  202 . A registration form appears on a screen and user is requested to fill in the information, at block  202 - 1 . A sample of the user registration form is provided in FIG. 8. As well, FIG. 5 depicts a block diagram illustrating the procedure for user  10  registration in database  16  through search engine server  14  and WebServer  12 .  
         [0048]    Referring back to FIG. 4, the user&#39;s personal information, including contact information (the “users profile”) is stored in database  16  (FIG. 1) at block  203 . FIG. 5- 1  is a table illustrating a series of user database records stored in database  16 . The user also designates at block  204  whether he wishes to receive third party information relating to his or her search queries and if so his preferred method of receiving the information. This could be by way of an e-mail, facsimile transmission, telephone call, or other appropriate means. The user&#39;s profile is then categorized at block  204 - 1  in accordance with parameters which may be established by the search engine, for example by permitting grouping of users into those that desire third party contact and those that don&#39;t. If the user has made a designation at block  204  to receive third party information, the user&#39;s profile is made available for access by third party  18  and registration is concluded.  
         [0049]    Referring back to FIG. 2, at block  201 , if user  10  is a registered user who wishes to permit third party  18  to provide information directly to user  10 , user  10  logs into the Internet WebServer at block  205 . The user  10  then searches the Internet, using the Internet search engine in usual manner. That is, the user inputs a search query and the search engine uses that query to locate Internet web sites which may be relevant to that query. The Internet search engine provides user  10  with a list of links and a short description of each Internet WebSite with the search results. The user&#39;s search query is stored in database  16  at block  302  and is associated with the user&#39;s profile.  
         [0050]    User  10  then receives notification that third party  18  will contact user  10  at block  306 . The Internet search engine then enables third party  18  to access database.  16  to determine if the user&#39;s search query relates to the information which third party  18  wishes to provide to users. It is contemplated that many third parties will be registered with the Internet search engine with information in a variety of topics.  
         [0051]    Referring back to block  201 , if user  10  does not wish to login as a registered user at block  205 , user  10  may undertake Internet searching through the Internet search engine in normal manner, without third party  18  involvement. The user  10  does not log in and provides the search query to the Internet search engine at block  206 . The user has not allowed for third party contact by not logging in at block  205 , either because user  10  has not registered with the search engine, or if registered has chosen not to log in at block  205 . The Internet search engine then provides the search results in the usual manner at block  305 .  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating the subject invention from the perspective of third party  18 . In the event that third party  18  wishes to provide information to user  10  which relates to a search query of user  10 , third party  18  accesses WebServer  12  (FIG. 1) at block  401 . If third party  18  has not registered with the Internet search engine is required to do so at block  402 . Third party  18  provides registration information to the Internet search engine, including the subject matter to which third party  18  information relates. The Internet search engine may require that third party  18  pay an amount to the Internet search engine for privilege of the allowed to access database  16  (FIG. 1) and provide information directly to user  10  in the matter discussed herein.  
         [0053]    Once registered, third party  18  logs in to WebServer  12 , at block  403 . Third party  18  then utilizes a separate server or the server of the Internet search engine in order to search database  16  (FIG. 1) to locate search queries which match the subject matter for which third party  18  is registered, at block  402 . If third party  18  does not locate any user&#39;s search queries which relates to that subject matter, third party  18  logs off without contacting user  10 . If third party  18  locates a user&#39;s search query that relates to the subject matter for which third party  18  is registered, third party  18  is permitted to access the user&#39;s profile at block  403 . Third party  18  then prepares information relating to that subject matter at block  404  and provides user  10  with that information (as depicted at arrow  24  in FIG. 1), at block  501 .  
         [0054]    For example, third party  18  could be a used car dealer serving a specified geographic location. Third party  18  could be registered with its subject matter relating to automobiles and that geographic location. If user  10  who is registered to receive information from a third party  18  enters a query which contains a word or words relating to an automobile and that geographic location that third party  18  may access the user&#39;s profile of user  10  and the search query entered by user  10 . The user  10  query could have been “1995 through 2000 Toyota Corolla automobile in Seattle, Wash.”. The dealer&#39;s registered location in accordance with its subject matter is the Seattle area. If third party  18  has a 1997 Toyota Corolla it would respond with specific information concerning that automobile, including, if desired by third party  18 , the price. The user thereby has the benefit of identifying a vehicle specific to his or her needs and the third party has the benefit of locating user  10  with an active interest in purchasing such an automobile. Both parties benefit from the direct contact between user  10  and third party  18  which has been initiated based on the search query made through the Internet search engine. The search engines reputation is also enhanced by providing more accurate information to user  10  thereby attracting more users to use its search engine. As well, other third parties will see the benefits of registering with such a search engine thereby increasing the revenues of the search engine.  
         [0055]    [0055]FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating the flow of information from user  10  to database  16  by user  10  accessing WebServer  12  of the Internet search engine through the Internet. Search engine server  14  connected to WebServer  12  obtains the user&#39;s registration information and stores it in database  16  as the user&#39;s profile.  
         [0056]    [0056]FIG. 9- 1  illustrates a table of user database records stored in database  16  including fields for storing user queries. When user  10  enters a query that query is also stored associated with the user&#39;s profile in the database  16  either in a field of the record for the user&#39;s profile or associated with that record.  
         [0057]    [0057]FIG. 6 is a flow chart of the search process in accordance with the present invention. The user  10  with a computer with a Web browser and Internet access (block  201 ) has four choices when accessing the Internet search engine to undertake a search. At block  201 - 1  the user can login and allow third party  18  information to be provided to user  10  based on the search query. The user can then undertake an Internet search utilizing the Internet search engine in the usual manner at block  301 . The user&#39;s query is stored in database  16  (block  302 ) as part of the record for the user&#39;s profile or associated with that record. User  10  then receive notification that third party  18  will contact user with more detailed information, at block  306 .  
         [0058]    A typical search is then generated at block  305  and the results are provided to user  10 .  
         [0059]    If user  10  logs in but does not wish to be contacted by third party  18 , (block  201 - 2 ) he is directed to undertake a conventional search at block  304 - 1 . The search results are generated by the search engine and provided to user  10  at block  305 .  
         [0060]    If user  10  does not log in then despite the fact that user  10  is registered (block  201 - 3 ), user  10  is only permitted to undertake a conventional search at block  304 - 1  with the results generated by the search engine and provided to user  10  at block  305 .  
         [0061]    If user  10  is not registered (block  201 - 4 ), user  10  may undertake a search in the conventional manner at block  304 - 1  with the results generated by the search engine and provided to user  10  at block  305 .  
         [0062]    [0062]FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating the manner in which third party  10  provides information relating to the subject matter for which third party  18  is registered, to a user  10  who submits a search query related to that subject matter.  
         [0063]    Third party  18  has a computer with access to the Internet and a Web browser at block  401 . If third party  18  has not registered with the Internet search engine third party  18  is directed to a registration process at block  400 . Third party  18  completes a registration form, an example of which may be found at FIG. 7- 1 . The registration form is submitted to the Internet search engine at block  400 - 2  and is stored in database  16  by the Internet search engine at block  400 - 3 . The registration form includes particulars of the third party information in order to enable the Internet search engine to categorize the third party  18  by industry, location or other relevant parameters to ensure that the information provided to users are relevant to the user&#39;s search queries. The third party&#39;s information is categorized in accordance with those particulars at block  400 - 4 .  
         [0064]    Once registration is complete the third party is permitted to log in WebServer  12  at block  403 . Third party  18  is then permitted to search user&#39;s queries in data base  16  (FIG. 1) in order to locate queries that relate to the user&#39;s subject matter or its category as determined by the Internet search engine, at block  402 . If third party  18  locates a user&#39;s query that relates to the third party&#39;s  18  subject matter or category third party  18  is permitted to access the user&#39;s profile associated with that query at block  403 . Third party  18  may then examine the query and prepare appropriate information to be sent directly to user  10 , at block  404 . The information is sent at block  501  by whatever means the user  10  has designated as depicted by arrow  24  in FIG. 1.  
         [0065]    [0065]FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating the flow of information between the Internet user, the search engine and the third party, when a search query is made. User  10  sends a search query via the Internet to a search engine&#39;s WebServer  12 , as depicted by arrow  50 . That query is sent from WebServer  12  to the search engine&#39;s server  14 , as depicted by arrow  52 . That query is sent by server  14  to database  16  to be stored either in a field of user  10  user&#39;s profile or associated with that profile. The transfer of the query from search engine server  14  to database  16  is depicted by arrow  54 .  
         [0066]    Search engine server  14  undertakes a conventional Internet search and provides the search results to WebServer  12 , as depicted by arrow  56 . The conventional search results are then sent to user  10  from WebServer  12  via the Internet as depicted by arrow  58 . Except for the storage of the query the above process is the same as that undertaken in a conventional Internet search by a search engine.  
         [0067]    Third party  18  is registered with the Internet search engine to enable third party  18  to contact user  10  directly, if desired by user  10  and as previously discussed. Third party  18  connects to WebServer  12  via the Internet and enters a search query, based on the registration parameters of third party  18 , as depicted by arrow  60 . That query is directed by WebServer  12  to reverse search engine server  20 , as depicted by arrow  62 . As previously discussed, reverse search engine server  20  and search engine server  14  can be the same server, in which case the query would be directed to that combined server. Reverse search engine server  20  then uses the third party  18  query received in order to search database  16 , as depicted by arrow  66 . If the query matches that of a user profile query previously stored user  10  contact information and the query are provided to reverse search engine server  20 , as depicted by arrow  64 . Server  20  then provides that information to web server  12 , as depicted by arrow  68  which then provides the information to third party  18 , as depicted by arrow  70 . Third party  18  then prepares information specific to the query of user  10  and provides it to user  10  in the manner requested by user  10 , as depicted by arrow  24 .  
         [0068]    As an optional step, the information to be transmitted by third party  18  can be monitored by the Internet search engine to ensure that the information is relevant to the query of user  10 .  
         [0069]    The within-described invention may be embodied in other specific forms and with additional options and accessories without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presently disclosed embodiment is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalence of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.