Abstract: Systems and methods for determining status of a user in a brokered chat service are disclosed. In one example, the method comprises acts of receiving, via the brokered chat service, a check-in message from the user, establishing the status of the user as available in the brokered chat service, transmitting at least one message to the user via the brokered chat service in response to establishing the status of the user as available, and updating the status of the user in the brokered chat service in response to communication from the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enabling communication between a user and at least one entity by a communication service are disclosed. In one example, the method comprises acts of receiving a search for the at least one entity, analyzing the search, by a processor, to determine search results based on the search including the at least one entity, receiving a message from the user to the at least one entity, the message including inquiry information directed to the at least one entity, determining, by the processor, presence status associated with the at least one entity, establishing, by the processor, a communication channel between the user and the at least one entity based on the presence status, and transmitting a response to the message based on the inquiry information via the communication channel.