5. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said identifying phrases within said snippets that include the query comprise scanning said snippets and identifying said phrases ranging in length from two terms up to a predefined maximum number of terms that contain said query.
1. A method of operating a computer system environment for the processing of search results which match a search query to provide for sub-topic identification of the search results, the method comprising: receiving a search result; extracting snippets from said search result that contain said query; truncating snippets on an instance of a boundary token; identifying phrases within said snippets that include the query; comparing all said phrases to determine optimal phrases; and presenting said optimal phrases; wherein said comparing all said phrases comprises comparisons between a first phrase and a second phrase, wherein said comparisons between combinations of two phrases comprises: skipping comparisons where said first phrase starts with the query term and said second phrase ends with the query term; eliminating a first phrase that is a superstring of said second phrase if said first phrase has a lower frequency of occurrence than said second phrase; and eliminating said first phrase that is a substring of said second phrase if said first phrase has the same frequency of occurrence as said second phrase.