Patent ID: 7941436

Claim:
A method for utilizing an anomalous query in bidding comprising: identifying a query from a plurality of search queries in a search log database; monitoring the search log database to determine a first frequency at which the identified query has been searched for during a first time interval; monitoring a second frequency at which the identified query is searched for during a second time interval; comparing the first frequency with a second frequency, wherein the comparison comprises determining whether the second frequency increased over the first frequency above a certain amount that comprises a spike recall constant multiplied by a standard deviation, wherein the standard deviation is based on at least one earlier time interval and the spike recall constant represents a relative amount of frequency change; and performing at least one of selling the identified query at an adjusted rate, purchasing the identified query for an advertisement, or recommending the identified query for an advertisement purchase when either the first frequency or the second frequency is above a threshold frequency and when the comparison indicates an increase above the certain amount.