Site search and “engagement tool” provider Lijit Networks announced it has been granted a patent for rating content based on social graph data.

The patent covers methods and systems that query a mathematical model of a trust network of interconnected individuals and return a subjective rating of content associated with those individuals. Lijit’s network search technology, which is covered by the patent, is used on over 15,000 publisher websites.

“This patent supports and protects some of the key intellectual property used in Lijit’s service offering,” said Todd Vernon, CEO and founder of Lijit Networks. “Lijit’s Custom Site Search allows people in the online world to leverage a social network of interconnected people to find products, services and information from sources with whom they have formed a trusted relationship.”