A method and system for ranking query results on an electronic device includes the steps of obtaining a plurality of search results using a computer based on a query initiated by a user using a communications device. A ranking is determined of the search results based on a ranking technique using the computer. The ranking technique is based on a download tolerance factor and a predicted download time of data for viewing by the user for each of the search results. The search results are ranked and sent to the communications device for display to the user.