Microsoft scientists have some new thoughts when it comes to search ranking and retrieval accuracy. New techniques for analyzing search relevance--the way users browse and click through specific content--can improve the algorithms used to rank results, according to two papers submitted by a group of Microsoft researchers.
"Most search engines today use a somewhat two-dimensional approach, matching user queries with the content and link structure of Web pages to return a list of results. We"re looking at how to add a third dimension--the users themselves--to improve the search experience," said Eugene Agichtein, a researcher in the Mining, Search and Navigation Group within Microsoft Research.