Abstract: This specification describes methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage device, for providing a preview of an expandable content item. The subject matter of the specification is embodied in a method that includes presenting an interface configured to receive input for designating characteristics associated with an expandable content item and receiving, via the interface, a designation of one or more directions for expansion of the expandable content item. The method also includes presenting a control for enabling selection of a preview option, and receiving a selection of the control. The method further includes presenting a preview interface responsive to receiving the selection of the control, the preview interface including an option for designating a selection of at least a first or a second different preview environment.

Abstract: Methods, and systems, including computer programs encoded on computer-readable storage mediums, including a method for determining a configuration of a content item display environment.

Abstract: Methods, and systems, including computer programs encoded on computer-readable storage mediums, including a method for obtaining information about advertisement slots on resources (e.g., web pages). The method includes receiving a request to provide content for display in an ad slot of a web page presented on a user device; determining that parameter data specifying a parameter of the ad slot is not included in the request, the parameter being an indicator of a relative position of the ad slot on the web page; in response to determining that the parameter data is not included in the request, providing content to display in the ad slot to fulfill the request, the content including a tag configured to determine the parameter of the ad slot; receiving the parameter of the ad slot determined by the tag; and storing the parameter of the ad slot in a database.

Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying expandable content by maintaining a content database of slot identifier entries, each entry identifying a respective content slot and a respective resource identifier of a corresponding electronic publication on which the respective content slot is positioned. A data processing system receives a request to provide content for a content slot, the request identifying a slot identifier and a resource identifier, and determines, by accessing the content database, one or more permitted expansion directions for the content slot. The data processing system selects an expandable content item for publication based on the one or more determined permitted expansion directions.

Abstract: In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented on a computer system. A quantity of slots associated with one or more publications can be received from/identified by a publisher. Slot properties for each of the slots in the received quantity of slots can be determined including determining the permitted expansion directions for the slots based on the slot properties. Content items can be selected for publishing from one or more expandable content items based, at least in part, on the possible expansion directions of the slots.

Abstract: In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented on a computer system. A quantity of slots associated with one or more publications can be received from/identified by a publisher. Slot properties for each of the slots in the received quantity of slots can be determined including determining the permitted expansion directions for the slots based on the slot properties. Content items can be selected for publishing from one or more expandable content items based, at least in part, on the possible expansion directions of the slots.

Abstract: Methods, and systems, including computer programs encoded on computer-readable storage mediums, including a method for determining a configuration of a content item display environment.

Abstract: Methods, and systems, including computer programs encoded on computer-readable storage mediums, including a method for obtaining information about advertisement slots on resources (e.g., web pages). The method includes receiving a request to provide content for display in an ad slot of a web page presented on a user device; determining that parameter data specifying a parameter of the ad slot is not included in the request, the parameter being an indicator of a relative position of the ad slot on the web page; in response to determining that the parameter data is not included in the request, providing content to display in the ad slot to fulfill the request, the content including a tag configured to determine the parameter of the ad slot; receiving the parameter of the ad slot determined by the tag; and storing the parameter of the ad slot in a database.

Abstract: This specification describes methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage device, for providing a preview of an expandable content item. The subject matter of the specification is embodied in a method that includes presenting an interface configured to receive input for designating characteristics associated with an expandable content item and receiving, via the interface, a designation of one or more directions for expansion of the expandable content item. The method also includes presenting a control for enabling selection of a preview option, and receiving a selection of the control. The method further includes presenting a preview interface responsive to receiving the selection of the control, the preview interface including an option for designating a selection of at least a first or a second different preview environment.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for allocating content. In one aspect, a method includes identifying bids for a plurality of eligible bidders that are eligible to provide a content item in response to a content item request. From among the eligible bidders, a set of passback bidders having a passback capability are identified. The passback capability provides passback bidders an option refuse to provide a content item. From among the bidders, a set of general bidders, for which the passback capability is not enabled, are identified. A bidder chain that includes a highest general bidder and passback bidders is generated. A highest bidder in the bidder chain that does not refuse to provide a content item after being identified as the winning bidder is selected as the final bidder.