Patent ID: 6892196

Claim:
A method for allowing user selection of search filtering criteria prior to an initial search on a network, which comprises: (a) displaying a query field for entering a search query; (b) receiving the search query entered in the query field; (c) presenting a plurality of selection criteria applicable during a search on the network, wherein the plurality of selection criteria comprise at least one of a type of network, a network location, an information source, a user profile, and a time range; (d) allowing selection of at least one of the plurality of selection criteria (e) searching for information on the network relating to the search query; (f) generating a filtered result by excluding portions of the information based on the selected criteria; (g) outputting the filtered result of the searching; and (h) repeating the search of the search query at periodic intervals and comparing the filtered results of repeated searches to determine whether new information is available.