Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus include computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium, including a method for providing content. A linking is provided of identifiers for users or devices known to a content delivery service. Each identifier is associated with the user or device in a specific context. The linking includes first and second identifiers. A request for content is received that includes either the first or second identifier. Bidders in an exchange are identified that have expressed an interest in bidding on a content delivery opportunity associated with the user or the device. For each bidder, a relative value is determined for a respective bidder for the opportunity to present content to the user or device in association with each identifier known to the bidder. For each bidder, a real-time bid request is generated in the exchange that includes the highest value identifier for submission to a respective bidder.

Abstract: According to at least one aspect, a method for providing content items augmented with format elements includes receiving a request for a content item and generating a plurality of augmented content items based on a plurality of original content items and a plurality of format elements. In a first stage a first content item associated with a first original content item is selected based on normalized auction scores of the content items. In a second stage, a set of content items associated with the first original content item is identified. Selection scores for the content items in the identified set are computed based on respective normalization parameters. A second content item is selected from the identified set based on the selection scores and a bid amount. The second content item is then provided for display to a user.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus include computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium for providing content. A method includes: identifying a placement opportunity for content for a user device characterized as being included in a group in which the group is defined by a user having a specific attribute; providing a bid request to content sponsors, the bid request including characteristic information that identifies information known to a serving system about the user without specifying the attribute that is associated with the user; receiving conditional bids conditioned on the user having a specific attribute from the content sponsors that establish a price to be used in an auction for the placement opportunity; evaluating the received bids in view of the attribute associated with the user including using received bids in the auction to determine a content item for the placement opportunity; and providing a content item for the placement opportunity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing near real-time merging of distributed data streams are described. For example, streams of ad impressions, ad clicks, and conversions are sorted by user id into virtual buckets. The buckets of data are distributed across multiple servers, so that each server can process their respective buckets of data independently. Each server uses synchronization logic to determine a running delay distribution of the data streams. Based on the delay distributions, merge processing of the streams is appropriately delayed to ensure that the ad impression and ad click stream information needed for correlating with the conversion stream information is likely to be available in real time.

Abstract: A correction device includes a first acquisition unit configured to acquire an arrangement position of advertisement information within a predetermined page layout when the advertisement information arranged in the predetermined page layout is displayed on a display screen of a terminal and a click rate at the arrangement position. The correction device includes a second acquisition unit configured to acquire a specific position in the predetermined page layout displayed on the display screen and an attention degree index indicating a degree of attention of the specific position as compared to another position. The correction device includes a correction unit configured to correct a click rate of the advertisement information based on the attention degree index of the specific position corresponding to the arrangement position of the advertisement information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing near real-time merging of distributed data streams are described. For example, streams of ad impressions, ad clicks, and conversions are sorted by user id into virtual buckets. The buckets of data are distributed across multiple servers, so that each server can process their respective buckets of data independently. Each server uses synchronization logic to determine a running delay distribution of the data streams. Based on the delay distributions, merge processing of the streams is appropriately delayed to ensure that the ad impression and ad click stream information needed for correlating with the conversion stream information is likely to be available in real time.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for optimization of yield for advertising inventory. A method includes, in a network of interconnected computers, sending a request for a file from a browser residing on a user system to a publisher server, receiving the requested file from the publisher server, the requested file including instructions for the browser to request a site file from a rules server, receiving the site file in the browser, the site file including rules for deciding whether an advertising impression is desired, rules for valuing the advertising impression, and browser executable code that applies and evaluates the rules, executing the browser executable code to evaluate the rules from the site file which determine if one or more signals should be attached to an advertisement request, and selecting an advertisement from a network ad server based on a signal received with the advertisement request from the browser.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for increasing comment visibility are described. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a comment request for a comment to be included in a comments field of a content page, determining that the comment will be hidden from users when online content is presented to the users based on a number of other comments presented in the comments field exceeding a threshold number, and modifying a position of the comment in relation to positions of the other comments presented in the comments field to increase visibility of the comment to the users, including modifying the position of the comment from a first position that is hidden from the users to a second position that is visible to the users.

Abstract: Systems and related methods providing for dynamic message creation are discussed herein. Circuitry may be configured receive generic configuration data that references work chunks for message generation and time data indicating a message send time. The work chunks may include references to message data, but not the actual message data. Based on the time data, the work chunks may be placed in a message queue. Circuitry may also be configured to retrieve a work chunk from the message queue and to generate one or more messages based on the retrieved work chunk. The references to message data in the work chunk may be used to retrieve the message data at the time of message generation.

Abstract: A system for automatically embedding behavior collection components into a mobile device application; the system includes a user interface module, a recording module, a marking module, and an embedding module. The user interface module provides an operation interface which includes tracking items. The tracking items correspond to behavior collection components. The behavior collection components transmit operation information of the mobile device to a server. The recording module records relational information respectively corresponds to each of the behavior collection components, and each relational information is a relational function selected from of a plurality of relational functions of a library. The marking module determines and marks embedding positions of the behavior collection components in the mobile device application based on the behavior collection components of the selected tracking items and relational information thereof.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus include computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium, including a method for providing content. A linking is provided of identifiers for users or devices known to a content delivery service. Each identifier is associated with the user or device in a specific context. The linking includes first and second identifiers. A request for content is received that includes either the first or second identifier. Bidders in an exchange are identified that have expressed an interest in bidding on a content delivery opportunity associated with the user or the device. For each bidder, a relative value is determined for a respective bidder for the opportunity to present content to the user or device in association with each identifier known to the bidder. For each bidder, a real-time bid request is generated in the exchange that includes the highest value identifier for submission to a respective bidder.

Abstract: Program product, systems, and methods of providing to social network websites advertising and incentives from an electronic retailer, are provided. A system can include a social network website displaying social network content and also displaying a link that reroutes the consumer to an electronic retailer website when the consumer clicks on the link: The system can also include program product for tracking purchase and other information about the consumer by the electronic retailer, and generating a commission for the provider of the social network website based on the tracked information about the consumer. The link can be embedded within the social network content or the link can be part of an advertisement and displayed adjacent the social network content. Also, a product featured in the advertisement can be affiliated with one main subject of the social network content.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for selecting content items for presentation along with publisher resources. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a request for a content item for presentation at a user device with a publisher resource; receiving, from a content item provider a first selection value for each of a plurality of content items provided by the content item provider; determining, for each of the content items and using accessed distribution parameters, a second selection value distinct from the first selection value; and determining, for each of the content items and independent of a bid corresponding to the content item, a combined selection value based on the first selection value for the content item and the second selection value for the content item.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a bid modifier value include determining, for one or more sets of keywords used in a campaign, a predicted conversion rate for a first device type and a predicted conversion rate for a second device type. Predicted campaign-level conversion rates are determined for the first and second device types using the predicted conversion rates for the one or more sets of keywords used in the campaign. A ratio is also determined between the predicted campaign-level conversion rate for the first device type and the predicted campaign-level conversion rate for the second device type. The ratio may be used as a bid modifier value that relates bids for the first device type to bids for the second device type.

Abstract: Ads delivered to mobile devices by virtue of a mobile app executing on the device are displayed on the device screen outside the confines or borders of the mobile app. This enables app developers to display ads through their apps to app users wherein the ads are displayed outside the confines of the actual app as displayed on the device. That is, the ad may be displayed as what may be characterized as a ‘regular non-app generated’ ad, such as on the device's home or lock screen (display areas not normally associated with an app). In this manner, clutter is decreased within mobile apps that would otherwise be caused by the ads. Consequently, advertisers are more likely to pay higher rates thereby generating more revenue for app developers or related entities.

Abstract: In a commerce system, a commercial product is presented by transmitting a video stream through a communication link to present as an image on a video display. The image including a representation of the commercial product. An interactive device is used by a consumer to select a portion of the image on the video display representing the commercial product. The information related to the commercial product, such as product description, price, and ordering, is retrieved from a database or electronic search based on the selected portion of the image on the video display. Digital content containing the information related to the commercial product is generated by an adverting agent, manufacturer, or retailer. The digital content is inserted into the video stream to form composite video. The composite video is displayed on the video display to assist the consumer in completing a transaction to acquire the commercial product.

Abstract: A control system and method of advertisement exposure are provided, in which the control system for advertisement exposure includes: a communication unit for communicating via a network with a multiplicity of client terminals, each including a web browser having a main area where a predetermined webpage is output and a sub area different from the main area; a storage unit for storing advertisement information and information about an incentive created to correspond to the advertisement information and offered to a user; and a control unit for outputting the advertisement information to at least one of the main are and sub area, and accumulating a corresponding incentive depending on an amount of viewing by plural users for the advertisement information to output information about the accumulated incentive to the sub area of the web browser. Accordingly, the advertisement information can be exposed more effectively through the web browser.

Abstract: A system for displaying and managing information on a webpage using an indicator comprises an indicator displayed on a surface of specific contents of the webpage with reference to coordinate values corresponding to the specific contents and for classifying and elaborating on the specific contents; an indicator generation module for generating the indicator comprising a block setting portion for predicting a width of the specific contents, a coordinate setting portion for grasping the coordinate value of a webpage area corresponding to the specific contents, an input portion for inputting information to be recorded in the indicator, a storage portion for storing the coordinate value and an output portion for outputting the indicator to the specific contents based on the information stored in the storage portion; and an indicator database stored in the system server through the storage portion and collected according to a specific classification.

Abstract: A method and article for increasing the opening/reading rate of mail and thus adding value to advertising by mail. A coupon value is embedded within a machine readable code of an information based indicia used as postage evidence on each piece of a mailing. The amount of the coupon and type of coupon can be determined by the customer creating the mailing. The information based indicia is digitally signed prior to printing, allowing a redeeming vendor to verify the authenticity of a coupon, preventing fraud and changing of data within the information based indicia. In addition, the customer originating the mailing may obtain marketing information such as mailing date, type of products purchased, after the coupon is redeemed.

Abstract: A system and method for effectively performing an information distribution procedure includes user devices that perform registration procedures for receiving distribution services from a distribution system. The user devices are also used to generate user metadata regarding respective device users of the user devices. A plurality of workstations are associated in the distribution system with respective advertisers. The workstations analyze the user metadata to produce corresponding bid metadata. A bid server then evaluates the bid metadata to determine one or more winning workstations from among the original workstations. The one or more winning workstations automatically transmit their advertising information to appropriate ones of the user devices. Relevant advertising information is therefore specifically targeted toward individual device users by analyzing the user metadata.