While it's true that the independent claims try to be as broad as possible and dependent claims narrow them down, each claim is still evaluated -- and must be valid -- on an individual basis. And if infringement of a patent is to be determined, you'd start with the independent claims and work your way down, as those have the broadest scope.
So, yes, it does make sense to say that the patent claims what nullc quoted. It's only slightly inaccurate in that the patent also claims a lot more, but the independent claims define the broadest scope.
Oh dear, you and nullc are right, and I am wrong. My apologies. This patent was granted, and so they do have a patent for claim 1 (and also for the other claims). I was confusing it with a patent application.
It's surprising to me that even the cursory prior art search of examination didn't turn up this idea, since it's so simple, doesn't use any of the meat of the invention described, and the idea of ranking by citation was well-known, e.g. for academic papers. I think applying that to hypertext links is clever and insightful... but not patent-worthy (like many other patents). Upon litigation, I think claim 1 might not stand. But regardless, the patent was granted, so they do have a patent on claim 1.
So, yes, it does make sense to say that the patent claims what nullc quoted. It's only slightly inaccurate in that the patent also claims a lot more, but the independent claims define the broadest scope.