A method and
system for searching a
wide area network that enables users to find the information they seek more quickly and more easily than prior art search engines are disclosed. The method employs various innovative processes that can be included separately or in combination in different embodiments of the invention to improve searching on a
wide area network. These processes include a process for making use of a user's prior search queries for query definition; a process for similarly making use of prior search queries by other users; a process for expanding and clarifying the meaning of queries; a process for including paid and other preferred results in an overall query result; a process for using user
evaluation data from previous search query results to identify results that should be included or removed from a current result; a process for executing the selected search query, or set of queries, on one or more search engines, collecting the search results and combining the search results; a process for removing subordinate pages from a search result; a process for testing Web pages that appear on a search result, and removing or
flagging pages which are unresponsive or slow to respond; a process for
ranking search results by applying a set of
ranking factors; a pre-caching process enabling faster viewing of search result; a process for providing links to a set of related Webrooms; a process for providing a set of Web maps for Web pages identified in the search results; and a process for integrating user evaluation of the content and usefulness of the Web pages provided by a search and other user data for
system use in enhancing search effectiveness.