Improving Mobile Search through Location Based Context and Personalization

Abstract

In this paper, we present a novel method for deep user profiling using information available on social networks about a user's activities and interests. We use this information to personalize the search for the user and make results available via web and low end mobile phones. In addition to using a user's profile as a context, we also use the context of location and implement a location based search engine for low end mobile phones. Finally, we combine the two contexts and implement a location based personalized search engine accessible from a low end mobile phone. There has been much work already done in trying to personalize search results based on user profiling. The top search engines attempt to build a user profile based on usage history and then use that to customize search. However, there have been fewer attempts to personalize search based on a deep understanding of a user's activities and preferences. In this work, we attempt to do this.