Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes generating a test group for a pointer to information; generating a control group for the pointer to information; receiving conversion information from the test group and the control group; and determining, based on the conversion information, a number of incremental conversions that are attributable to the pointer.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for reducing consumer electronic device returns. According to various aspects, a server receives (505) usage data of an electronic communication device by a consumer. The server examines (510) existing usage indicating correlations between various usage factors of additional devices and return incidents of the additional devices, and calculates (515) individual probabilities of return for the various usage factors and a total probability of return for the electronic communication device. In embodiments, if any of the individual probabilities or the total probability meets or exceeds a threshold probability, the server contacts (535) at least one of the electronic communication device or the consumer.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for improving geographic targeting of digital content. In some implementations, a targeting request that identifies a target geographic region is received. Groups of geographic regions that each include the target geographic region and at least another geographic region are identified. Combined targeting accuracies are computed for the groups of geographic regions. One or more of the groups of geographic regions are selected based on their combined targeting accuracies being higher than a targeting accuracy for the target geographic region. Data describing the selected one or more groups of geographic regions is provided for output in response to the targeting request.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for improving geographic targeting of digital content. One of the methods includes receiving a targeting request that identifies a target geographic region; identifying one or more groups of geographic regions that each include at least two geographic regions, including the target geographic region, wherein the one or more groups of geographic regions are identified based on respective combined targeting accuracies, the respective combined targeting accuracy of each of the one or more groups being higher than a targeting accuracy for the target geographic region; and providing data describing the identified one or more groups of geographic regions in response to the targeting request.

Abstract: A system, storage device, or method can provide fair allocation of advertising resources. In some implementations, a method can include identifying multiple advertisement slots, each of the advertisement slots being associated with a capacity constraint. The method can include receiving multiple advertisement reservations, each of the advertisement reservations requesting advertisement impressions at one or more of the advertisement slots. The method can include allocating a quantity of advertisement impressions to each advertisement reservation. The method can include calculating an overbooking score for each advertisement reservation. The overbooking score indicates a degree at which the advertisement reservation is satisfied by the quantity of advertisement impressions allocated to the advertisement reservation. A higher overbooking score indicates a lower degree of satisfaction.

Abstract: A user profile is identified, the user profile including portions of information related to a first user that is present in a collaborative environment. A weight is associated with a portion of information. An advertisement is identified based on the portions of information and associated weights, and the advertisement is shown to the first user.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for receiving a targeting request that identifies a target geographic region; identifying one or more groups of geographic regions that each include at least two geographic regions, including the target geographic region, wherein the one or more groups of geographic regions are identified based on respective combined targeting accuracies, the respective combined targeting accuracy of each of the one or more groups being higher than a targeting accuracy for the target geographic region; and providing data describing the identified one or more groups of geographic regions in response to the targeting request.

Abstract: This specification describes methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage device, for providing a content item. The subject matter of the specification is embodied in a method that includes receiving a bid price associated with displaying a sponsored content item, and using the one or more processing devices to estimate a parameter representing a likelihood of conversion resulting from displaying the sponsored content item on a particular content page. The method also includes outputting data to display the sponsored content item on the particular content page upon determining that the estimated parameter satisfies a threshold condition, and determining a charge for displaying the content item based on the bid price and the estimated parameter.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for reducing consumer electronic device returns. According to various aspects, a server receives (505) usage data of an electronic communication device by a consumer. The server examines (510) existing usage indicating correlations between various usage factors of additional devices and return incidents of the additional devices, and calculates (515) individual probabilities of return for the various usage factors and a total probability of return for the electronic communication device. In embodiments, if any of the individual probabilities or the total probability meets or exceeds a threshold probability, the server contacts (535) at least one of the electronic communication device or the consumer.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is described including determining a value of an attribute related to a user of a first system connected to a network, generating a network location identifier based at least in par on the determined value, making the generated network location identifier available to the user, and upon detecting that the user has selected the generated network location identifier, providing the generated network location identifier to a second system on the network residing at a location corresponding, at least in part, to the generated network location identifier.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying inadequate search content are provided. Inadequate search content, for example, can be identified based on statistics associated with the search queries related to the content.

Abstract: Systems and methods for streaming media content. Streaming media advertising systems can identify a request for streaming media and identify content for presentation to a client requesting the streaming media. The identified content items can be presented simultaneous to presentation of the streaming media or can be interspersed within the presentation of the streaming media.