Twiddler Quick Start Guide

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Author: Olaf Kopp

Reading time: 7 Minutes

Topics: Probably in use, Ranking, Reranking, User Signals

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The Twiddler Quick Start Guide outlines the functionalities and usage of the Twiddler
framework within Google’s Superroot system, focusing on re-ranking search results from
a single corpus. It highlights the distinction between Twiddlers and Ascorer rankings,
detailing the two types of Twiddlers (predoc and lazy), their respective roles, and the
methods used to manipulate and categorize search results. This guide is intended for
developers new to the Twiddler framework, providing essential guidelines for writing and
implementing Twiddlers effectively.

Title: Twiddler Quick Start Guide – Superroot

Review Date: 2017-11-30
Update Date: 2018-01-2

This document is part of a leak of a former Google employer happened in 2018.

Introduction
Purpose: Twiddlers re-rank results from a single corpus.
Difference from Ascorer: Twiddlers act on ranked sequences, not isolated results.
Supported Types:
Predoc Twiddlers: Run on thin responses (several hundred results with
minimal data).
Lazy Twiddlers: Run on fat results (detailed data).

Goals and Design Principles

Isolation: Twiddlers operate independently to manage complexity.

Interaction Resolution: Framework reconciles constraints and recommendations
from Twiddlers.
Provide Context: Read-only access to the context in which results are twiddled.
Hide Complexities: Manages docinfo fetching and pagination to avoid bugs.
Ease of Experimentation: Easier to run experiments within Superroot.

Ascorer and IR Scores

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Ascorer

Ascorer is a component within Google’s search ranking framework responsible for

assigning initial scores to search results. These scores are based on complex algorithms
designed to evaluate the relevance of each result to a given query. Ascorer operates in
the initial stages of the ranking process, before any twiddling (re-ranking) takes place.

Key Characteristics:

Initial Scoring: Ascorer assigns initial relevance scores to each search result
based on a variety of factors and algorithms.
Algorithm Complexity: Ascorer uses complex, well-developed algorithms that
have been fine-tuned over long periods.
Result Isolation: Ascorer evaluates results largely in isolation, focusing on
individual document relevance rather than the relative ranking of results.

Functionality:

Relevance Evaluation: It assesses how well a document matches the search

query using various signals and heuristics.
Score Assignment: Each document is given a numerical score that reflects its
perceived relevance.
Input for Twiddlers: These initial scores serve as the starting point for further re-
ranking by Twiddlers.

Example:

An Ascorer might use keyword matching, user behavior data, and other signals to
assign a score of 0.85 to a particular web page, indicating its relevance to the
search query.

IR Scores (Information Retrieval Scores)

IR Scores are numerical values assigned to search results based on their relevance to a
given query. These scores are central to the process of ranking search results in search
engines. Here are some key details about IR Scores:

Relevance Measurement: IR Scores quantify how relevant a document or

webpage is to the user’s search query. Higher scores indicate greater relevance.
Algorithmic Calculation: These scores are calculated using various algorithms
that consider multiple factors, such as keyword matching, document frequency, and
term frequency.
Impact on Ranking: The IR Scores directly influence the order in which search
results are presented to the user. Higher-scoring results appear higher in the search
results list.
Boosting and Adjustments: Tools like Twiddlers can modify IR Scores to boost or
demote certain results based on additional signals or constraints.

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Factors Influencing IR Scores:

Keyword Relevance: How well the content of the document matches the search
query.
Term Frequency: How often the search terms appear in the document.
Document Frequency: How common the search terms are across all documents in
the corpus.
PageRank and Backlinks: The authority and trustworthiness of the document,
often influenced by the number and quality of backlinks.

Example:

A webpage with a high IR Score for a query “best pizza places in New York” might
contain comprehensive reviews, detailed information about various pizza places,
and have high user engagement.

Integration of Ascorer and IR Scores

In the context of Google’s search ranking system, both Ascorer and IR Scores play critical
roles in determining the relevance and order of search results:

1. Initial Ranking: Ascorer uses its complex algorithms to evaluate individual search
results and assign IR Scores based on various relevance factors.
2. Re-ranking with Twiddlers: After Ascorer has assigned initial IR Scores, Twiddlers
can further adjust these scores based on additional rules and constraints, ensuring
that the final ranking of results aligns with specific objectives and user needs.
3. Final Presentation: The combined efforts of Ascorer and Twiddlers result in a finely
tuned list of search results presented to the user.

Types of Twiddlers

Twiddlers are designed to make ranking recommendations based on provisional search

responses from a single corpus. They are classified into two types based on when and
how they operate within the search ranking process: Predoc Twiddlers and Lazy
Twiddlers.

Predoc Twiddlers

Description: Predoc Twiddlers operate on thin responses, which are initial search results
that contain minimal information such as snippets without detailed document information.

Key Characteristics:

Range of Operation: They run over the full set of results returned from the
backend.
Reordering: After all Predoc Twiddlers have run, the framework reorders the thin
results.

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 RPC Operations: These Twiddlers can perform remote procedure calls (RPCs) to
services like TwiddlerServers, SSTables, or FastMap.
Modifications: They can modify result IR (Information Retrieval) scores and
promote results.

When to Use Predoc Twiddlers:

When the Twiddler needs to modify the IR scores of results.

When results need to be promoted.
When it needs to perform RPCs to external services.

Example:

A Predoc Twiddler might promote results from a particular category if multiple

results from that category are deemed a good match for the query.

Lazy Twiddlers

Description: Lazy Twiddlers run on fat results, which are a subset of the initial results
that include detailed document information.

Key Characteristics:

Range of Operation: They run on monotonically increasing ranges of fat results.

Reordering and Filtering: They can reorder and filter results based on detailed
information fetched after the initial ranking.
Secondary Runs: If a lazy twiddle operation fails, the framework fetches more
docinfo and retries.

When to Use Lazy Twiddlers:

When the Twiddler requires snippets or other detailed document information.

When it needs to see the outcomes of Predoc Twiddlers’ actions to make further
ranking decisions.

Example:

A Lazy Twiddler might filter out results that lack sufficient snippet information or
adjust the ranking of results based on detailed content analysis.

Predoc and Lazy Twiddler Workflow

1. Initial Response: The search backend returns a thin response with minimal
information.
2. Predoc Twiddling:
Predoc Twiddlers run on the full set of thin results.
They modify IR scores, reorder results, and can make RPCs.
The framework reorders the results based on Predoc Twiddler
recommendations.

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 3. Fetching Docinfo: The framework fetches detailed docinfo for a subset of the
reordered results.
4. Lazy Twiddling:
Lazy Twiddlers run on this subset of fat results.
They can reorder, filter, and further refine the results.
If necessary, additional docinfo is fetched, and the lazy twiddling process is
repeated.
5. Final Packing: The results are packed into the final response, ready to be
presented to the user.

Advantages and Challenges

Predoc Twiddlers:

Advantages:
Can handle a large set of results quickly.
Suitable for initial broad adjustments.
Capable of performing remote operations early in the ranking process.
Challenges:
Limited by the lack of detailed document information.

Lazy Twiddlers:

Advantages:
Can make informed decisions based on detailed content analysis.
Suitable for fine-tuning and filtering based on specific content attributes.
Challenges:
Dependent on the results of Predoc Twiddlers.
Requires multiple passes, which can be resource-intensive.

Practical Considerations

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When deciding whether to implement a Predoc or Lazy Twiddler, consider the type of
information and level of detail required for making ranking adjustments. Predoc Twiddlers
are best for broad, initial adjustments, while Lazy Twiddlers are ideal for detailed, content-
specific refinements.

Conclusion
Understanding the distinctions between Predoc and Lazy Twiddlers is crucial for effective
search result re-ranking. Each type plays a specific role within the Twiddler framework,
contributing to the overall goal of delivering the most relevant search results to users.

Concrete Factors for Twiddling

The Twiddler Quick Start Guide outlines various factors and methods that can be used to
influence the ranking of search results through the twiddling process. These factors can
be grouped into methods for boosting scores, applying constraints, filtering results, and
annotating results. Here is a detailed breakdown:

Score Boosting Methods

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 1. Boost
Function: Boost(Rank result, float boost)
Purpose: Adjusts the IR score of a result by multiplying it by the specified
boost factor.
2. BoostAboveResult
Function: BoostAboveResult(Rank a, Rank b, float tie_breaker)
Purpose: Ensures that result A ranks above result B, using an equivalent
boost factor.
Example: Promoting a movie result to position 0 when it is highly relevant.

Constraint Methods

1. NewCategory and Categorize

Functions: NewCategory(const CategoryParams& params) and
Categorize(Rank result, TwiddlerCategoryId id)
Purpose: Creates categories with specific constraints and assigns results to
these categories.
Example: Grouping blog results to limit the number shown from a single blog.
2. max_total
Parameter: max_total = N
Purpose: Limits the number of results in a category to N.
Example: Preventing too many results from the same blog from being shown.
3. predoc_limit
Parameter: predoc_limit = N
Purpose: Filters all but the first N results in a category after predoc twiddling.
Example: Reducing the number of results that require detailed docinfo
fetching.
4. min_position
Parameter: min_position = N
Purpose: Ensures results are not packed earlier than the Nth position.
Example: Demoting low-quality URLs to positions beyond the first couple of
pages.
5. stride_step and stride_factor
Parameters: stride_step = X and stride_factor = Y
Purpose: Ensures a minimum spacing between results of the same category.
Example: Preventing too many images from the same host from clustering
together.
6. max_position
Parameter: max_position = N
Purpose: Ensures results are not packed later than the Nth position.
Example: Promoting an official page to the top position based on high
confidence.

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 7. SetRelativeOrder
Function: SetRelativeOrder(Rank a, Rank b)
Purpose: Specifies that result A must be packed above result B if B is in the
packed response.
Example: Ensuring the original video ranks higher than its duplicates.

Filtering Methods

1. Filter
Function: Filter(Rank result)
Purpose: Logically removes a result from the response.
Example: Filtering out results with no snippet.
2. Hide
Function: Hide(Rank result, const MessageSet& annotation)
Purpose: Hides a result, typically used for legal removals.
Example: Hiding results subject to DMCA notices and adding annotations for
transparency.
3. Filtered
Function: Filtered(Rank result)
Purpose: Checks if a result was filtered by a previous twiddler.
Example: Avoiding processing results that were filtered during predoc
twiddling.

Annotating Methods

1. AnnotateResult
Function: AnnotateResult(Rank, const MessageSet& annotation)
Purpose: Adds messages to a result for further processing or UI decisions.
Example: Annotating social results with the number of likes.
2. AnnotateResponse
Function: AnnotateResponse(const MessageSet& annotation)
Purpose: Adds messages to the overall response.
Example: Adding possible medical conditions and symptoms to a search
response for health-related queries.

Debug Methods

1. AddDebug
Function: AddDebug(Rank rank, const string& message)
Purpose: Associates debug data with a specific result.
Example: Adding debug information to a particular search result for
troubleshooting.
2. AddResponseDebug
Function: AddResponseDebug(const string& message)
Purpose: Associates debug data with the overall response.
Example: Adding general debug information to the search response.

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