1. A computer-implemented method for providing a directory assistance service, the method comprising: generating an indexing file that is a representation of information associated with a collection of listings stored in an index; utilizing the indexing file as a basis for ranking listings in the index based on the strength of association with a query; and providing, based at least in part on the ranking, an output indicative of listings in the index that are likely correspond to the query, wherein at least one particular listing in the index is excluded from the output without there ever being a comparison of features in the query with features in the one particular listing.