Abstract: Search results, including sponsored links and algorithmic search results, are generated in response to a query, and are marked based on frequency of clicks on the search results by members of social network who are within a predetermined degree of separation from the member who submitted the query. The markers are visual tags and comprise either a text string or an image.

Abstract: A proximity search engine for carrying out a proximity search with respect to a reference location uses as a reference frame the earth divided into tiles, which are predefined geographic regions of substantially equal areas. Records that are searched based on proximity to a reference location include location pointers, each of which identifies a particular tile that encompasses the physical location indicated by the corresponding record. When the proximity search is carried out, the tiles that are within a specified distance from the reference location are obtained and records having location pointers corresponding to such tiles are selected for inclusion in the search results.

Abstract: Social network information maintained in a first database is shared with a second database. The operators of the second database use the social network information to better manage services provided to their customers and target particular information to their customers. The process begins with a request made to an application server of the first database by an application server of the second database, for social network information relevant to a set of individuals. The request includes identifying information of each individual in the set. The first database is then searched for matches with the identifying information in the request. If matches are found, the social network information relevant to those individuals for whom matches are found is shared with the second database.

Abstract: A proximity search engine for carrying out a proximity search with respect to a reference location uses as a reference frame the earth divided into tiles, which are predefined geographic regions of substantially equal areas. Records that are searched based on proximity to a reference location include location pointers, each of which identifies a particular tile that encompasses the physical location indicated by the corresponding record. When the proximity search is carried out, the tiles that are within a specified distance from the reference location are obtained and records having location pointers corresponding to such tiles are selected for inclusion in the search results.

Abstract: Search results, including sponsored links and algorithmic search results, are generated in response to a query, and are marked based on frequency of clicks on the search results by members of social network who are within a predetermined degree of separation from the member who submitted the query. The markers are visual tags and comprise either a text string or an image.

Abstract: Social network information maintained in a first database is shared with a second database. The operators of the second database use the social network information to better manage services provided to their customers and target particular information to their customers. The process begins with a request made to an application server of the first database by an application server of the second database, for social network information relevant to a set of individuals. The request includes identifying information of each individual in the set. The first database is then searched for matches with the identifying information in the request. If matches are found, the social network information relevant to those individuals for whom matches are found is shared with the second database.

Abstract: Relevant content is prepared and selected for delivery to a member of a network based, in part, on prior online activities of the other members of the network, and the closeness of the member's relationship with the other members of the network. The relevant content may be an online ad, and is selected from a number of candidate online ads based on click-through rates of groups that are predefined with respect to the member and with respect to certain attributes. An online ad's revenue-generating potential may be considered in the selection process.

Abstract: An online social network is provided in which members of the online social network control who may view their personal information and who may communicate with them. The members control who may view their personal information by setting a visibility preference. A member may not view another member's full personal profile if the measure of relatedness between the two is greater than the visibility preference of the other member. The members also control who may communicate with them by setting a contactability preference. A member may not communicate with another member if the measure of relatedness between the two is greater than the contactability preference of the other member.

Abstract: An online social network is managed using one server for database management tasks and another server, preferably in a distributed configuration, for CPU-intensive computational tasks, such as finding a shortest path between two members or a degree of separation between two members. The additional server has a memory device containing relationship information between members of the online social network and carries out the CPU-intensive computational tasks using this memory device. With this configuration, the number of database lookups is decreased and processing speed is thereby increased.