Abstract: The present disclosure relates to utilizing a content service system to improve selecting data sources that are used to retrieve digital content items in response to content requests. For example, in response to receiving a content request, the content service system determines to retrieve content items by either calling a lower-quality data source with lower computing costs based on the request having lower service quality metrics or by calling a higher-quality data source with higher computing-costs based on the request having superior service quality metrics. In many instances, the service quality metric is based on the user characteristics of a user identifier associated with the requesting device. By dynamically determining to utilize different data sources having different computing costs based on service quality metrics, the content service system significantly reduces the total amount of computing costs for retrieving and providing digital content, without hurting the user experience.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to utilizing a content service system to improve selecting data sources that are used to retrieve digital content items in response to content requests. For example, in response to receiving a content request, the content service system determines to retrieve content items by either calling a lower-quality data source with lower computing costs based on the request having lower service quality metrics or by calling a higher-quality data source with higher computing-costs based on the request having superior service quality metrics. In many instances, the service quality metric is based on the user characteristics of a user identifier associated with the requesting device. By dynamically determining to utilize different data sources having different computing costs based on service quality metrics, the content service system significantly reduces the total amount of computing costs for retrieving and providing digital content, without hurting the user experience.