Dynamics of Web Rings

We present a theory of sur ng in web rings, common link structures observed on the World Wide Web. In particular, we determine an optimum ring size for sur ng, and show how to organize rings in a hierarchy so as to maximize the probability that a user will nd the information he seeks. Given the sur ng characteristics of users, which can be obtained from usage data, we then determine how to organize web rings in a hierarchy. SMM thanks the Fannie and John Hertz Foundation for nancial support.