RegDCP - 8:14 pm on Aug 30, 2012 (gmt 0)

I think it is you that is not understanding.

but there will be collateral effects, both boosts or damage, winners and losers..

How can there be collateral damage if the (patent's) results are lower than the final destination?

The positions above the temporary position are unaffected and the ones below are still only moved down as they would be if the page went straight to its terminal position.

Personalisation is, at its best, matching query intents.

SO IS SEARCH.
The single word example is not the best way to express this as search is rarely done on a single word (short tail) basis.

Your page may not turn up as #1 to someone searching legal advice. Google will make a decision based on past searches and their intent. So if past searches were to do with legal advice, then #1 may not be your page with emotional advice.

If your page is top, it will show in a personalized search using your preferences. If the search is not using your preferences then it will not show up, which is what you want also, as a slim relevance result will generate a bounce.