Abstract: Users of social networking computer systems provide location information that is transformed into geo-coded coordinates specifying user locations. Providers of content, such as messages or documents, also participate in the social networking system and use drawing tools or provide data files that define one or more geographical areas or regions of a map, which may define a larger geographical area that encompasses the users of the social networking system. Data specifying the areas is stored. The content providers create one or more messages and associate each of the one or more messages with one or more of the areas. The users communicate requests for messages to the social networking system; in response, the system associates the user location data with the stored areas and messages and returns only those messages that have been associated with the particular areas in which the users are located.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to a system and a method of managing an online social network having a plurality of neighborhoods. The system may receive a location from a user, and select, based on the location, a neighborhood from the plurality of neighborhoods. The system may further assign the user to the selected neighborhood and grant the user access to communications by users assigned to the selected neighborhood.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a recommendation counter for a business entity based on social networking interactions is provided. In an embodiment, a social networking server provides an interface for users of social networking accounts to request recommendations for business entities and to reply to the requests with recommendations. When the social networking server computer receives a recommendation for a particular business entity, the social networking server computer determines whether the recommending social networking account has recommended the particular business entity in the past. In response to determining that the social networking account has not recommended the particular business entity in the past, the social networking server computer increments a recommendation counter for the particular business entity.

Abstract: Users of social networking computer systems provide location information that is transformed into geo-coded coordinates specifying user locations. Providers of content, such as messages or documents, also participate in the social networking system and use drawing tools or provide data files that define one or more geographical areas or regions of a map, which may define a larger geographical area that encompasses the users of the social networking system. Data specifying the areas is stored. The content providers create one or more messages and associate each of the one or more messages with one or more of the areas. The users communicate requests for messages to the social networking system; in response, the system associates the user location data with the stored areas and messages, and returns only those messages that have been associated with the particular areas in which the users are located.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating the locating and hiring of service providers is provided. In an embodiment, a social networking server provides an interface for users of social networking accounts to create service request. When the social networking server computer receives a service request for a particular type of service provider, the social networking server computer identifies service providers of the particular type and sends the service request to the service providers. In response to receiving an indication that a particular service provider is available to fulfill a service request, the social networking server computer sends a message to the service requester that identifies the particular service provider and indicates that the service provider is available to fulfill the service request.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to a system and a method of managing an online social network having a plurality of neighborhoods. The system may receive a location from a user, and select, based on the location, a neighborhood from the plurality of neighborhoods. The system may further assign the user to the selected neighborhood and grant the user access to communications by users assigned to the selected neighborhood.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to a system and a method of managing an online social network having a plurality of neighborhoods. The system may receive a location from a user, and select, based on the location, a neighborhood from the plurality of neighborhoods. The system may further assign the user to the selected neighborhood and grant the user access to communications by users assigned to the selected neighborhood.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to a system and a method of managing an online social network having a plurality of neighborhoods. The system may receive a location from a user, and select, based on the location, a neighborhood from the plurality of neighborhoods. The system may further assign the user to the selected neighborhood and grant the user access to communications by users assigned to the selected neighborhood.