12. A method of generating a ranked index of web pages, the method comprising: processing a number of sample web pages to generate network data indicative of the interconnections between the sample web pages as identified by hyperlinks included in the sample web pages; utilizing the generated network data to generate for each of said web pages one or more network metrics indicative of the extent to which the interconnections associated with a web page correspond to patterns of interconnections associated with web pages published in order to manipulate the ranking of a web page by a search engine; and using the generated network metrics to generate a ranked index of web pages wherein the influence of web pages associated with patterns of interconnections associated with web pages published in order to manipulate the ranking of web pages by a search engine is reduced relative to the influence of web pages which are not associated with such patterns of interconnections.
12. A method of generating a ranked index of web pages, the method comprising: processing a number of sample web pages to generate network data indicative of the interconnections between the sample web pages as identified by hyperlinks included in the sample web pages; utilizing the generated network data to generate for each of said web pages one or more network metrics indicative of the extent to which the interconnections associated with a web page correspond to patterns of interconnections associated with web pages published in order to manipulate the ranking of a web page by a search engine; and using the generated network metrics to generate a ranked index of web pages wherein the influence of web pages associated with patterns of interconnections associated with web pages published in order to manipulate the ranking of web pages by a search engine is reduced relative to the influence of web pages which are not associated with such patterns of interconnections. 19. The method of claim 12 wherein generating one or more network metrics indicative of the extent to which the interconnections associated with a web page correspond to patterns of interconnections associated with web pages published in order to manipulate the ranking of a web page by a search engine comprises: processing said generated network data to determine for each of said web pages a value indicative of the extent to which a web page is associated with hyperlinks connecting other web pages which are otherwise poorly connected to each other.