Use of query reformulation and relevance feedback by Excite users

Examines the use of query reformulation, and particularly the use of releva nce feedback by users of the Excite Web search engine. A total of 985 user search sessions from a data set of 18,113 user search sessions containing 5 1,473 queries were examined. Includes a qualitative and quantitative analys is of 191 user sessions including more than one query, to examine patterns of user query reformulation; and second, all 804 user sessions including re levance feedback were examined. Results show limited use of query reformula tion and relevance feedback by Excite users - only one in five users reform ulated queries. Most relevance feedback sessions were successful. Identifie s the most common pattern of searching and discusses implications for Web s earch system design.