Position bidding in a pay for placement search system

摘要

A method for a pay for placement database search system includes storing one or more search listings associated with an advertiser, each search listing including a respective bid amount and receiving a bid cap for selected search listings. The respective bid amounts are adjusted for the selected search listings according to the bid cap. The user can specify what route they wish their advertisement to have in the search listings, but can limit the maximum value the bid can take using the bid cap. Various algorithms can be employed to ensure that the minimum amount is paid for the advertisement ranking position achieved.