1. A computer implemented method for retrieving social media content from at least one content source over a network, the method comprising the steps: collecting a first content sample from the at least one content source; after a first collection time interval of a first length, collecting a second content sample from the at least one content source; comparing the first and second samples to determine a quantity of content common to the first and second samples, wherein the comparing the first and second samples to determine a quantity of content common to the first and second samples further comprises comparing duplication of at least one of permalinks, time, date and author; determining, based upon the determined quantity of content common to the first and second samples, a second time interval of a second length different from the first length, wherein the second length is derived from predicting a new rate of content being posted to the content source and the second time length is dynamically adjusted based on the quantity of common content determined in the comparing step; after the adjusted collection time interval, collecting a third content sample from the at least one content source; and determining a proxy server service for a collection request based on at least one of an association time interval, a received indication of a desired geographic location to be searched, a cost of the proxy server service and a quantity of searches conduct by the proxy server service, wherein the first, second and third content samples comprise social media content.