Patent ID: 7243102

Claim:
A method for improving ranking algorithms for information retrieval, said ranking algorithms operating on query results obtained from a search engine, said method comprising: receiving input information including information describing a first ranking algorithm for ranking a list of search results, a first score associated with the first ranking algorithm, a second ranking algorithm for ranking the list of search results, a second score associated with the second ranking algorithm, and causal information relating a difference between the first ranking algorithm and the second ranking algorithm with a difference between the first score and the second score, said first score representing a comparison of output of the first ranking algorithm and a subjective ranking of the list of search results, said second score representing a comparison of output of the second ranking algorithm and the subjective ranking of the list of search results; and applying an optimizing algorithm to the received input information to identify an optimal ranking algorithm having an optimal score, said optimal ranking algorithm being defined by a plurality of parameters and a plurality of weights associated with the plurality of parameters.