Forum Moderators: Robert Charlton & goodroi
SUMMARY
In general, techniques of this disclosure may enable a computing system to predict an intent of a search query for a particular context of a computing device. Based on contextual information (e.g., locations, user interest, times of day, etc.) of a computing device/user, the system may define a relevant context for a search query, and predict, based on the relevant context, an intent or purpose of a search using the search query in the relevant context. The system may adjust, based on the intent, search results returned from the search so that information for satisfying the intent is emphasized over other information returned from the search. For instance, after a user of a computing device purchases tickets to a particular movie that is out in movie theatres, a user may cause the computing system to execute a search using the name of the particular movie as part of a query. The system may obtain contextual information including an indication that the tickets were already purchased for a future showing of the particular movie. In response, the system may infer (e.g., based on log data indicative of user-initiated actions performed by other computing devices) that the search including the name of the particular movie is for a purpose other than purchasing additional tickets. The system may therefore adjust the search results returned from the search so that movie show times are ranked lower than other information (e.g., reviews, memorabilia, trivia, etc.) about the particular movie. In this way, by automatically adjusting the search results to emphasize the information a user is more likely to be searching for, in a current context, the system may allow users to experience less stress and/or not waste valuable time and resources hunting for the information in and amongst search results.
