Abstract: Systems and methods for the forming of user device groups are presented. Logical relationship information describing logical relationships among a plurality of users is accessed and potential membership of a first user in a first group of users is determined based on the logical relationship information, by selecting the first group from a plurality of possible groups, the selecting being based on scores generated, for each of the plurality of possible groups, by a candidate scorer module, the first group of users containing a plurality of users, including one or more users who are not logically connected to the first user in the logical relationship information. Then, in response to the receiving of content, scores for each of the plurality of possible groups are generated based on the content, and the first user is added or removed from a second group of users selected from the plurality of possible groups based on the regenerated scores.

Abstract: A fact checking system verifies the correctness of information and/or characterizes the information by comparing the information with one or more sources. The fact checking system automatically monitors, processes, fact checks information and indicates a status of the information.

Abstract: A machine may implement a recommender that provides recommendations to users. The machine may be configured to present a first version of the recommender configured by various parameters. A user may submit a message to the machine, and the machine may identify a parameter among the various parameters by tokenizing the message and identifying the parameter among the tokens. The machine may then generate a second version of the recommender by modifying the parameter and configuring the second version according to the modified parameter. The machine may then present the first and second versions of the recommender contemporaneously two different portions of the users. By tokenizing a further message received from the users, the machine may evaluate the first and second versions and determine whether the second version is a replacement of the first version.

Abstract: Systems and methods for adding a first user to a first group of users are presented. First, logical relationship information describing logical relationships among a plurality of users is accessed. Then potential membership of a first user in a first group of users is determined based on the logical relationship information, by selecting the first group from a plurality of possible groups, the selecting being based on scores generated, for each of the plurality of possible groups, by a candidate scorer module, the scores based at least partially on both passive and active interactions between the first user and other users, the first group of users containing a plurality of users, including one or more users who are not logically connected to the first user. Then the first user is added to the first group of users.

Abstract: Methods and systems of optimizing e-mail for mobile devices are described. In some embodiments, an e-mail message is caused to be displayed within an e-mail client on a mobile device. The e-mail message comprises a selectable link corresponding to a website action that can be performed on a website. A user on the mobile device is enabled to cause a performance of an e-mail action corresponding to the website action via the e-mail client without navigating to the website, such as via a new e-mail message generated within the e-mail client. A mobile link configured to cause the performance of the action via the e-mail client can be included in the e-mail message. A CSS pseudo-element can be included in CSS rules for the e-mail message. The CSS pseudo-element can be configured to generate mobile content associated with the mobile link.

Abstract: A system and method may optional include or utilize a processor configured to receive a request for social network content for display in a sponsored content position in a newsfeed of a social network interface, the position having a position criterion, identify a sponsored content item of multiple sponsored content items stored on a database based, at least in part, on a characteristic of the sponsored content item meeting the position criterion, a bid associated with the sponsored content item, and a scaling factor, wherein each of the sponsored content items correspond to one of multiple item types and at least two of the sponsored content items are of a different item type. The scaling factor for each of the sponsored content items is based on the item type of the corresponding one of the sponsored content items.

Abstract: Structure of a resultant Every Document as a Graph (EVG) graph may be outlined using an EVG query. First metadata for a first data source may be retrieved. At least one entity key may be determined for a first entity, the entity key coming directly from the EVG query or from an entity on a preceding level of the EVG graph. Based on the first metadata and entity key, an edge may be created in the EVG graph beginning at the first entity, wherein the edge contains information retrieved from the first data source. Second metadata for a second data source may be retrieved. Based on the second metadata and information contained in the edge retrieved from first data source, a second entity may be created in the EVG graph, wherein the edge connects to the second entity, wherein the second entity contains information retrieved from the second data source.

Abstract: According to various exemplary embodiments, it is determined that a particular user is associated with a particular member segment of a networking website. Further, a task prioritization list associated with the particular member segment is accessed. The task prioritization list may include a prioritized list of profile update tasks associated with successful user profile pages of the particular member segment. Moreover, a prompt is displayed inviting the particular user to update the particular user profile page based on the task prioritization list (e.g., by referring to the member segment and at least one of the tasks in the task prioritization list).

Abstract: Systems and methods for the forming of user device groups are presented. In one example, logical relationship information between a first user and other users are recorded. Communications between the first users and other users are monitored, and content is received from the first user, the content having associated metadata. A first group to add the first user to is determined based on the logical relationship information, the communications, the content, and the metadata.

Abstract: A system may include a database configured with individual partitions, one of the partitions corresponding to a sponsored content campaign of a social network. The system may further include multiple servers each communicatively coupled to the database, and each configured to implement a campaign having a campaign termination criterion. Each of the servers may include a processor configured to track sponsored content event data received from a user device based on the campaign and transmit the event data to the database and terminate the campaign based on a comparison of the event data as received from a partition of the database corresponding to the campaign and an estimation of event data not received from the database. The database may be configured to store the event data as received from the servers in the partition corresponding to the campaign upon receipt of the event data.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a method and system for processing data. During operation, the system obtains a set of records, wherein each of the records comprises one or more metrics and at least one dimension associated with the one or more metrics. Next, the system creates a data segment comprising at least one of a forward index and an inverted index for a column in the records. The system then stores the data segment in network-accessible storage and assigns the data segment to a partition. Finally, the system enables querying of the data segment through a query node associated with the partition.

Abstract: Methods and systems of managing settings are described. According to various embodiments, a settings page corresponding to a user's settings on an online service may be caused to be displayed on a device. The settings page may comprise selectable category setting options for a setting category. The setting category may have a plurality of subcategories, and each subcategory may have its own selectable subcategory setting options. Each one of the category setting options may correspond to its own distinct configuration of subcategory setting options for its subcategories. A user input indicating a selection of one of the category setting options for the setting category may be received. The configuration of subcategory setting options corresponding to the selected one of the category setting options for the setting category may be applied to the user's settings on the online service.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for clustering individual items of web content, and then utilizing activity and profile data to both select clusters of content items for presentation to a user, and determining how the selected clusters of content items are presented to the user of an online social network service. With some embodiments, the activity data are derived by monitoring and detection interactions with the individual items of web content by an individual user, or other users with whom the individual user is related, as established via, and defined by, the social network service.

Abstract: Systems and methods for adding a first user to a first group of users are presented. First, logical relationship information describing logical relationships among a plurality of users is accessed. Then potential membership of a first user in a first group of users is determined based on the logical relationship information, by selecting the first group from a plurality of possible groups, the selecting being based on scores generated, for each of the plurality of possible groups, by a candidate scorer module, the scores based at least partially on a loneliness score for the first user. Then the first user is added to the first group of users.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the forming of user device groups are presented. In one example, a message received at a user device from a server system, the message indicating that a user of the user device has been added to a logical group of users. Then content may be transmitted from the user device to the server system for distribution to the logical group of users. Then, in response to a determination that the user device has been out of communication with the server system for a predetermined period of time, a determination is made, utilizing a coasting module on the user device, that the user should be removed from the logical group of users based on a factor other than a length of time the user device has been out of communication with the server system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the forming of user device groups are presented. In one example, a message including location information indicating a geographic location of a first user device is received from the first user device. Values representing logical connection strengths between the first user device and other user devices are calculated using the location information. A first device group is determined for the first user device based on the calculating of the values representing the logical connection strengths, the first device group including a plurality of the other user devices.

Abstract: Techniques for populating a content stream of a mobile application are described. Consistent with some embodiments, the delays associated with waiting for a server to respond to a user's manual request for content items are eliminated by using various sensors of a mobile computing device to predict when a user is likely to view a personalized content stream. Accordingly, a background process identifies when certain conditions are satisfied, and an automatic content request is communicated to a content server, such that content items for presentation to a member of a social networking service are pre-fetched.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a reputation system. The reputation system includes a scoring apparatus that provides a matrix of reputation scores for a set of items and a set of dimensions of the items in the reputation system, wherein the matrix comprises unknown values for a subset of the reputation scores. The reputation system also includes an inference apparatus that calculates a factorization of the matrix and uses the factorization to update the matrix with a set of inferred values for the set of reputation scores. Finally, the reputation system includes a ranking apparatus that uses the updated matrix to obtain a ranking of the items by one or more of the dimensions.

Abstract: Content is received from a first user. Then, in response to the receiving, logical relationship information describing logical relationships among a plurality of users is accessed and potential membership of the first user in a first group of users is determined based on the logical relationship information, by selecting the first group from a plurality of possible groups, the selecting being based on scores generated, for each of the plurality of possible groups, by a candidate scorer module. Then, in response to a determination that the first group has a score from the candidate scorer module that does not meet a preset threshold, a new group is created comprising users that are located proximate to each other. The content received from the first user is forwarded to other users of either the first group or the new group, based on the threshold determination.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus are provided for organizing and joining massive sets of data (e.g., tens or hundreds of millions of event records). A dataset is Blocked by first identifying a partition key, which comprises one or more columns of the data. Each Block will contain all dataset records that have partition key values assigned to that Block. A cost constraint (e.g., a maximum size, a maximum number of records) may also be applied to the Blocks. A Block index is generated to identify all Blocks, their corresponding (sequential) partition key values, and their locations. A second dataset that includes the partition key column(s) and that must be correlated with the first dataset may then be Blocked according to the same ranges of partition key values (but without the cost constraint). Corresponding Blocks of the datasets may then be Joined/Aggregated, and analyzed as necessary.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method are provided for dynamically generating decorated data for presenting a web page, at the time of rendering the web page. A request for the web page is received at a front-end server, and a template for generating the page's markup language is retrieved (e.g., a template generated using the Dust templating language), which has embedded one or more directives for decorating specified data in an indicated manner. Raw (e.g., undecorated) domain data for the page are received from a back-end store. A decoration engine parses the template, identifies the directives and applies them to generate decorated data in context. Directives may include metadata used by the decoration engine and/or a directives library. A render process is then applied to combine the template and the decorated data to produce the page's markup language (e.g., in HTML), which is transmitted to the client that requested the page.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and systems for providing personal connection alerts. The user desires to have a personal connection with a target person. An indicator for a target is provided by the user. The indicator is often the name of the target, but can also be a picture of the target, or other information. A record for the target is created based on the received indicator. The target record is stored. A variety of additional information regarding the target may be obtained from external or internal sources and also stored in the target record. Then the target record is periodically compared with the user's social sphere of influence, which comprises the user's primary and secondary connections. The comparison includes at least comparing the target with the user's secondary connections. When the target record matches at least one of the user's secondary connections, an alert is provided.

Abstract: Techniques for predicting a user response to content are described. According to various embodiments, a configuration file is accessed, where the configuration file includes a user-specification of raw data accessible via external data sources and raw data encoding rules. In some embodiments, the raw data includes raw member data associated with a particular member and raw content data associated with a particular content item. Thereafter, source modules encode the raw data from the external data sources into feature vectors, based on the raw data encoding rules. An assembler module assembles one or more of the feature vectors into an assembled feature vector, based on user-specified assembly rules included in the configuration file. A prediction module performs a prediction modeling process based on the assembled feature vector and a prediction model, to predict a likelihood of the particular member performing a particular user action on the particular content item.

Abstract: A system for visualizing the reach of a post by a member of an on-line social networking system may be designed to increase awareness of the members, as to which degree their posted updates are noticed and reacted to by other members. When a member creates a post, either through the on-line social networking website itself or through an application programming interface (API) that allows to include a share user interface (UI) control on a third web party site, the system monitors events associated with the post, collects statistics with respect to the monitored events and uses this data to generate a visualization of the reach of that post. Example visualization provides the creator of the a sense of how many other members interacted with the post.

Abstract: A user may activate an embedded advertisement in an embedded window in a document, such as a web page. This embedded advertisement may be associated with a domain (a granddaughter domain) that is different than the domain associated with the embedded window (a daughter domain) and the domain associated with the document (a parent domain). In older browsers, cross-domain communication may not be supported in this circumstance. This problem is solved by opening a series of windows from the granddaughter domain, each of which is associated with a candidate origin of the document. Then, access commands associated with the windows are communicated to the domain of the document. Only the access command for the window having the correct origin of the domain of the document is processed, which results in content associated with the embedded advertisement being linked at a source and presented or displayed in the embedded advertisement.

Abstract: In one example, a first group of users is selected among a plurality of possible groups based on a score generated for the first group, the score indicating appropriateness of the first group for the first user, the first group of users having a plurality of users. A first user is then added to the first group of users. Then, affinity levels between the first user and other users in the first group of users are measured, the affinity levels indicating how strong logical relationships are between the first user and the other users in the first group of users. The first user is then removed from the first group of users in response to a determination that the affinity level between the first user and the other users in the first group of users has dropped below a preset threshold over time.

Abstract: During a targeting technique, a machine model is generated based on content-interaction data that specifies interactions of users of a social network, with categorical content corresponding to predefined interest segments. The content-interaction data may include viewing of the categorical content and sharing of the categorical content with other users of the social network. This machine-learning model is then used to calculate scores for the users based on the attributes in their profiles that indicate probabilities of their interest in additional categorical content. Moreover, based on the calculated scores, a subset of the users is associated with an interest segment. For example, the users may be ranked based on their calculated scores, and the subset may be those users having scores exceeding a threshold or a predefined value. Furthermore, advertisements may be targeted to the users in the subset based on the association with the interest segment.

Abstract: A technique for determining the impact of multiple users' actions is described. According to this technique, information specifying multiple users' actions is aggregated. This information includes linkages that indicate the initiators of the multiple users' actions. Then, the impacts of the multiple users' actions are determined based on the aggregated information. In particular, the impact of a given user's action includes a direct component performed by the given user and an indirect component performed by other users in a social graph in response to the given user's action, where the social graph includes relationships between the other users and the given user. For example, the multiple users' actions and the social graph may be associated with a website, and the determined impacts may allow traffic and/or revenue of the website to be increased.

Abstract: A fact checking system verifies the correctness of information and/or characterizes the information by comparing the information with one or more sources. The fact checking system automatically monitors, processes, fact checks information and indicates a status of the information.

Abstract: A product deployment system of an electronic document is described. An example product deployment system includes a deployment processor, a remote execution module, and a plan manager. The deployment processor may be configured to receive a request to deploy an application, generated a deployment plan, provide the deployment plan to the plan manager, and trigger a command to be sent from the remote execution module to the target hosts in the target host set. The plan manager provides the deployment plan to the target host set in response to receiving the identification of the deployment plan from the target host set. The plan manager may also monitor execution of the deployment plan by the target host set without saving a state of deployment process that is being performed at the target host set. The plan manager may also react to perceived failures that may occur at the target host set.

Abstract: Disclosed in some examples are methods, systems, and machine-readable mediums which provide a relevance engine for determining a relevance of an individual (either a non-member or another member) to another individual (either a non-member or another member). This relevance engine may use signals in the form of data that the social networking service may learn about the individuals to determine how relevant the individuals are to each other.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system for analyzing performance in an online professional network. During operation, the system receives time series data for user actions, wherein for each user action, the time series data comprises a series of numbers associated with consecutive time intervals, wherein a given number indicates a number of times the user action occurred during the time interval. The system also receives time series data for performance metrics, wherein for each performance metric, the time series data comprises a series of numbers associated with consecutive time intervals, wherein a given number indicates the number of times the performance metric occurred during the time interval. The system then performs a time series analysis on the received time series data for user actions and performance metrics to determine relationships between the user actions and the performance metrics.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the forming of user device groups are presented. Tuning parameters are pushed to a first user device operated by a first user the tuning parameters specifying weights and/or functions to be applied to data from one or more sensors on the first user device. Tuned data is received from the first user device, the tuned data representing data from the one or more sensors that has been tuned in accordance with the tuning parameters. Then potential membership of the first user in a first group of users is determined based on logical relationship information, by selecting the first group from a plurality of possible groups, the selecting being based on scores generated, for each of the plurality of possible groups, by a candidate scorer module using the tuned data.

Abstract: Systems and methods providing users with a rich web experience are disclosed. In one embodiment, a client and at least one server are in communication using a dual communication link. In another embodiment, a markup language based instant messaging application is disclosed. The instant messaging application may include group instant messaging. The instant messaging application may also provide group member persistence and message persistence at the server. In another embodiment, a card based web application is disclosed, where the card information and character may be shared with other users or within a group. The cards may also be configurable by users.

Abstract: During a communication technique, an individual is identified based on a signal that includes vocal sounds of the individual and a voice print of the individual. For example, the voice print may include features characteristic of the individual's voice. Alternatively or additionally, the identification may be based on context information associated with a conversation that includes the individual and/or based on pronunciation of the individual's name. After the individual is identified, content in a social graph, which is associated with the individual, may be accessed and provided. This content may include business information, such as: contact information, education information, a job title, an organization associated with the individual, and/or connections of the individual to other individuals in the social graph.

Abstract: A statistically overrepresented token in the descriptions of users associated with a target entity may be descriptive of the target entity. This may be true regardless of whether a primary description of the entity includes the overrepresented token. Accordingly, the entity description machine may access multiple descriptions of multiple users associated with the target entity. A portion of the multiple descriptions may each include a token descriptive of the target entity and of a subset of the multiple users. The entity description machine may determine that the token is overrepresented among the tokens within the multiple descriptions and generate a supplemental description of the target entity, where the supplemental description includes the overrepresented token. Once the supplemental description is generated, the entity description machine may use the supplemental description in referencing the target entity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the forming of user device groups are presented. Logical relationship information describing one-to-one logical relationships among a first user and other users are recorded. Then content from a first user device of the first user and content from a second user device of the second user are received. Based on a determination that the content from the first user device and the content from the second user device were received within a preset amount of time of each other, a first user group in which to add the first user and the second user is created. Then it is determined whether to remove the first or second user from the first user group based on the logical relationship information and the content.

Abstract: Indicating preference for a content contribution is disclosed. A request for information associated with the content contribution is received from a first entity. The status of the content contribution is determined. A response is provided to the first entity. Determining the status of the content contribution includes determining whether a submission of the content contribution was previously received.

Abstract: A method and system to mediate selection of choice presentation models are described. A models mediator, implemented using software, hardware or both, may be configured to exercise different choice presentation models, collect and analyze information with respect to how well each model performed in succeeding to convince a respective user to purchase one of the presented subscription plans, and determine how frequently each model should be used to generate a presentation of subscription choices.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system that displays diagnostic information to facilitate web page development. While a web page is being assembled at a front-end system using data gathered from one or more back-end systems, the system accumulates metadata associated with the assembly process. Next, the system renders the web page using the gathered data. Finally, the system sends the rendered web page along with the metadata to a browser to be displayed to a user, wherein the browser is configured to selectively display the metadata when the web page is displayed.

Abstract: A method and system to update a front-end client are described. A front-end client may be provided with a reloading wrapper. A reloading wrapper may be configured to detect that a new version of the associated client is available, fetch the new version of the client, test it, and replace the currently executing version of the client with the new version without disrupting the operation of the front-end.

Abstract: Disclosed in some examples is a method including receiving a plurality of transaction records, each of the transaction records including data about a particular transaction engaged in by a member of a social networking service and including a geographic location and a timestamp of the particular transaction; scoring each of the plurality of transaction records based upon the recency of the transaction; clustering the plurality of transaction records into a plurality of clusters, each cluster including transaction records which contain similar geographic locations; creating an aggregate score for each particular one of the plurality of clusters based upon a sum total of the scores calculated for each transaction record clustered into the particular cluster; and creating a probability distribution based upon the scores for the plurality of clusters, the probability distribution indicating a probability that the member was in each of the plurality of locations represented by the clusters.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system that displays diagnostic information to facilitate web page development. While a web page is being assembled at a front-end system using data gathered from one or more back-end systems, the system accumulates metadata associated with the assembly process. Next, the system renders the web page using the gathered data. Finally, the system sends the rendered web page along with the metadata to a browser to be displayed to a user, wherein the browser is configured to selectively display the metadata when the web page is displayed.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a system maintains a database of a plurality of persons. The database includes an audio clip of a pronunciation of a name of a first person in the database. The system determines from a calendar database that a second person has an event in common with the first person, and transmits to a device associated with the second person an indication that the database includes the pronunciation of the name of the first person.

Abstract: Detecting, for a content item, associated preference events is disclosed. For the content item, a plurality of preference events from a plurality of users is received. The received preference events are accumulated. Associated events are detected. The effect of the events is reduced when assigning a status to the item.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for sticky routing of a user's service requests and connections to a distributed service hosted by multiple data centers. Sticky routing data are generated when a user first connects, to include member ID, preferred data center, a user bucket associated with one data center, a generation of the bucket, a generation of the user's sticky routing data, and timing information identifying a time of issue and/or a time of expiration of the routing data. A user bucket is either online (accepts new users; their requests are routed to the associated data center), offline (not accepting new users; existing users are expelled and must join a different bucket), or closed (not accepting new users; existing users' requests continue to be routed to the associated data center). All of a user's requests, from all devices, are thus routed to one data center, based on member ID.

Abstract: Determining an item to present to a first user is disclosed. Preference information is received that comprises the preferences of a plurality of users associated with one or more items. User correlations are determined from the received preference information. For the first user, a set of other users most correlated with the first user is determined. One or more items are presented to the first user based at least in part on the preferences of the other users.

Abstract: Displaying a preference by a first user of a content contribution submitted by a second user is disclosed. A preference event by the first user is detected. A plurality of detected events is stored. In response to a query from a client, at least a portion of the stored detected events is stored. At least a portion of the received events is caused to be rendered graphically.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the forming of user device groups are presented. First, logical relationship information can be recorded, the logical relationship information describing logical relationships between a first user and other users, the logical relationship information associated with a social networking service. Communications between the first user and the other users, the communications being of at least two different types of communications, may be monitored.

Abstract: A navigation system and method are described. A destination may be determined for a user. A starting location may be determined for the user using data obtained via a mobile device of the user. The user may be enabled to establish a route from the starting location to the destination using the mobile device. Route information that details the established route may be stored in a database for subsequent display to other users. In some embodiments, a value total for each user may be stored, and value may be added to the user's value total in response to the user establishing the route from the starting location to the destination.