1. A method for generating search results, the method comprising: receiving an indication that identifies a first user as an authority on a topic; receiving a search query from a second user different from the first user, the search query including one or more search terms entered by the second user; determining that the topic corresponds to the one or more search terms; based on the determined topic, identifying the first user as a search authority for the search query; accessing an interest profile of the first user; accessing an interest profile of the second user; forming a combined interest profile by performing a weighted combination of the interest profile of the first user and the interest profile of the second user, the forming comprising: identifying a first and second weightings specified by the second user, the first weighting to be applied to the interest profile of the first user, and the second weighting to be applied to the interest profile of the second user; and performing the weighted combination in accordance with the identified first and second weightings; determining, by a processing device, search results in response to the search query based on the combined interest profile; and enabling the second user to perceive the determined search results.
1. A method for generating search results, the method comprising: receiving an indication that identifies a first user as an authority on a topic; receiving a search query from a second user different from the first user, the search query including one or more search terms entered by the second user; determining that the topic corresponds to the one or more search terms; based on the determined topic, identifying the first user as a search authority for the search query; accessing an interest profile of the first user; accessing an interest profile of the second user; forming a combined interest profile by performing a weighted combination of the interest profile of the first user and the interest profile of the second user, the forming comprising: identifying a first and second weightings specified by the second user, the first weighting to be applied to the interest profile of the first user, and the second weighting to be applied to the interest profile of the second user; and performing the weighted combination in accordance with the identified first and second weightings; determining, by a processing device, search results in response to the search query based on the combined interest profile; and enabling the second user to perceive the determined search results. 4. The method of claim 1 further comprising enabling the second user to specify a first weighting to be applied to the interest profile of the first user and a second weighting to be applied to the interest profile of the second user when performing the weighted combination to form the combined interest profile.