IBM Patent Application: Customized Client-Side Search Indexing of the Web

A recently published application shows IBM seeking a patent on a client-side search indexing program that works in conjunction with a server based search index to provide a users with personalized search results. Search result personalization is a long sought after goal. Google personalized search attempts to provided user customized results by retaining user data on the server-side. However, others have sought client side solutions. Jaime Teevan, et al.’s article “Personalizing Search via Automated Analysis of Interests and Activities” demonstrates that personalized client-side algorithms can significantly improve on current Web search results. Demand for improved search methods will increase with the ever expanding amounts of data.