A system for conducting a computer based search that includes a bidding bulletin board to post a user search query from a user, an agent that submits a bid to the bidding bulletin board in response to the query, where the agent is associated with a search result, and a display server to display the search result if the bidding bulletin board accepts the bid, where an amount bid is determined by behavioral rules for the agent. Also, a method that includes the steps of posting a user search query from a user on a bidding bulletin board, receiving a bid from an agent at the bidding bulletin board in response to the query, where the agent is associated with a search result, and displaying the search result if the bulletin board accepts the bid, where the amount bid is determined by behavioral rules for the agent.