Patent ID: 8239461

Claim:
A computer implemented method comprising: providing identifiers of a search service to a user of an instant message service; receiving an instant message from the user by a server device via an instant message identifier of the search service; determining the identifier via which the instant message was received from the user; extracting, by a processor, a search request from the instant message; submitting the search request to an automated search resource selected based on content of the instant message when the identifier via which the message was received indicates an automated search is to be performed; directing the search request to a human assistant selected based on the content of the instant message when the identifier via which the message was received indicates a human assisted search is to be performed; performing the human assisted search or the automated search based on the identifier via which the message was received; and sending a search result obtained responsive to the search request to the user using the instant message identifier via which the instant message was received.