Microsoft Corporation
Controlling use of negative features in a matching operation

Abstract:

A computer-implemented technique is described herein for assisting an administrative user in generating negative feature information. The negative feature information, which includes a list of negative features (e.g., negative keywords), defines when queries submitted by end users are expressly disqualified as matching one or more parts of an identified web resource. The technique then automatically assesses the manner in which the negative feature information conflicts with matching between the queries submitted by end users and positive trigger information associated with the web resource, to provide conflict output information. The technique then modifies the negative feature information based on the conflict output information, e.g., by eliminating one or more negative keywords that contribute to conflicts.