A "URLIT" identifier is assigned to a URL and embedded in an HTML document
located at the URL. The URLIT and other data are described using a
Universal Advertisement Markup Language such that high-precision
searching of the World Wide Web is possible. URLIT-enabled transactions
are conducted through a Universal Toolbar Utility. A search method allows
user-definition of search algorithms and includes a ranking method that
assigns relevancy scores to documents by polling users. Transaction
reliability is enhanced by user participation in a Universal Terms of Use
system and a Universal Arbitration system.