Abstract: A method and system for converting a free call to a fee-based call are disclosed. According to an embodiment of the invention, an automated system establishes a connection between a first entity and a second entity. After the connection has been established, the system monitors the connection to determine if one participant has selected to convert the connection from a free connection to a fee-based connection. Upon detecting an indication that an entity has converted such a call, the system monitors the duration of the call to determine the proper fee for the connection.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to prioritize requests for speaking privilege in a communication session. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving from an audience one or more bids for privilege to speak in a communication session; selecting one or more speakers from the audience based at least in part on the one or more bids; receiving voice communications from the one or more speakers; and transmitting the voice communications to the audience in the communication session.

Abstract: A method and system to facilitate the conversion from communications to commerce. In one embodiment, a method includes: establishing a communication session between a first user and a second user; facilitating communications between the first user and the second user for a first period of time of the communication session; after the first period of time, receiving from the first user a request to charge the second user during the communication session; responsive to the request received from the first user, prompting the second user to accept a price to continue the communication session; and responsive to a response from the second user, charging the second user according to the price for a second period of time of the communication session.

Abstract: Systems and methods to collect information over a connection with a caller just in time for further connecting the caller to a callee. In one embodiment, a connection server is configured to provide to a caller a reference associated with the first criterion, to identify the first criterion based on the reference used to establish a connection with the caller for real time communications, to obtain a second criterion from the caller over the connection established for real time communications, to identifying a callee based at least in part on the first criterion and the second criterion, and to connect the caller from the established connection to the callee for real time communications.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for presenting selected listings as featured listings sorted based on value scores. One embodiment includes: selecting a first subset of listings from a set of listings according to one or more predetermined criteria; computing value scores of the first subset of listings based on an indicator of advertisement earning potential and an indicator of transaction earning potential, at least one listing from the first subset of listings offering an advertisement fee for preferential placement, at least one listing from the first subset of listings offering a commission fee for revenue generated from a service provided over a communication connection established via listing presentation; and presenting the first subset of listings in an order according to the value scores of the first subset of listings.

Abstract: A method and system for converting a free call to a fee-based call are disclosed. According to an embodiment of the invention, an automated system establishes a connection between a first entity and a second entity. After the connection has been established, the system monitors the connection to determine if one participant has selected to convert the connection from a free connection to a fee-based connection. Upon detecting an indication that an entity has converted such a call, the system monitors the duration of the call to determine the proper fee for the connection.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for advertising where the performance is determined via tracking the communication leads generated from the advertisements. One embodiment includes: providing an advertisement on behalf of a specific party; and charging an advertisement fee responsive to a customer making a request for an in person communication with the specific party via the advertisement.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to block calls from reaching destinations. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving a call for a connection to an entity via a reference; based on the reference used for the call, determining a reference of the entity; determining whether the call is to be blocked; and responsive to a determination that the call is not to be blocked, establishing the connection to the entity using the reference of the entity.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to prioritize a queue of waiting requests which are queued to be process sequentially. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving one or more price bids on queuing priority; and determining an order of a plurality of pending requests based on at least the one or more price bids.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to provide services to people who wish to make connections for real time communication, such as live telephone conversation, chat, video conferencing, etc., and/or non-real time communication, such as email. In one embodiment, a method includes: a first party providing one or more references to a second party for distribution to customers, the one or more references capable of being used to request the first party to provide a plurality of communication connections to a communicatee, the plurality of communication connections being connected simultaneously to the communicatee at least for a period of time; and the first party charging separate fees for the plurality of communication connections.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to provide communication connections for partners based on communication references assigned to entities maintained by the partners. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving from a partner contact information of an entity; providing the partner with a real-time communication reference usable to at least initiate a request for a communication connection; and in response to receiving a request initiated via the real-time communication reference, providing a real-time communication connection between a requester and the entity using the contact information received from the partner.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for advertising where the performance is determined via tracking the communication leads generated from the advertisements. One embodiment includes: providing an advertisement to customers on behalf of a specific party; counting voice-based communication leads that are delivered via advertisements; and charging the party based at least partially on said counting the communication leads. In one embodiment, a bulk price is charged for delivering a predetermined number of one or more leads resulting from the presentation of an advertisement and/or for other services.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for advertising where the advertisement performance is determined via tracking the deals made as a result of communication leads generated from the advertisements. One embodiment includes: providing an advertisement containing a communication reference to a customer on behalf of a party; providing a connection via the reference for real time communications between the customer and the party; and charging an advertisement fee in response to an action of a predetermined type being performed by the customer (or an agreement between the customer and the party being reached) as a result of the real time communications.

Abstract: A method and system of advertising. In response to a request received from an advertiser, an audio advertisement is generated based on visual advertisement information. The audio advertisement is provided for presentation on behalf of the advertiser. In one embodiment, the audio advertisement is an abbreviated form of the visual advertisement information. A determination is made as to whether a call from a customer has been connected to the advertiser via the audio advertisement. The advertiser is charged a predefined fee if it is determined that a call from a customer has been connected to the advertiser via the audio advertisement. In one embodiment, a text for a first advertisement presentable in a first media type is received to generate an abbreviated text for a second advertisement presentable in a second media type.

Abstract: Systems and methods to provide a reference for communication with a business is disclosed here. One embodiment includes providing a reference for real-time communication with a business to be placed in a representation of a geographical region at a location within the representation corresponding to a location of the business, tracking usage of the reference, and billing the business for providing the reference for real-time communication based on quantitative usage of the reference.