Inventors:
Darren J. Davis - Rowland Heights CA, US
Matthew Derer - Sierra Madre CA, US
Johann Garcia - Chino Hills CA, US
Larry Greco - Glendale CA, US
Tod E. Kurt - Pasadena CA, US
Thomas Kwong - Temple City CA, US
Jonathan C. Lee - Culver City CA, US
Ka Luk Lee - San Gabriel CA, US
Preston Pfarner - Pasadena CA, US
Steve Skovran - Pasadena CA, US
Assignee:
Overture Service, Inc. - Pasadena CA
International Classification:
G06F 17/30
US Classification:
707 3, 707 2, 707 4, 707 5, 707 10, 707501, 709202, 709219
Abstract:
A system and method for enabling information providers using a computer network such as the Internet to influence a position for a search listing within a search result list generated by an Internet search engine. The system and method of the present invention provides a database having accounts for the network information providers. Each account contains contact and billing information for a network information provider. In addition, each account contains at least one search listing having at least three components: a description, a search term comprising one or more keywords, and a bid amount. The network information provider may add, delete, or modify a search listing after logging into his or her account via an authentication process. The network information provider influences a position for a search listing in the provider's account by first selecting a search term relevant to the content of the web site or other information source to be listed. The network information provider enters the search term and the description into a search listing.