Abstract: A system and method which allow estimation of the value of display advertising are disclosed. Access is provided to a simulated web browsing experience to a plurality of users on a browser on the users' computers. The users have agreed to act as test subjects in exchange for financial compensation. At least one web page comprising a randomly selected article and at least one advertisement is presented to the users. After a predetermined duration, a questionnaire including questions relating to the at least one advertisement is presented to the users. The users are provided with financial compensation for answering the questions.

Abstract: Techniques are provided which allow users to purchase goods or services at a suitable price. A user may specify on a website, a maximum price the user is willing to pay for a product the user desires to purchase. The user may provide a deposit and sellers may be notified of the user's commitment to purchase the product and the maximum price the user is willing to pay for the product. The sellers may be allowed to offer their asking prices to the user if their respective asking prices are less than or equal to the maximum price the user is willing to pay. If none of the sellers, offer asking prices less than the user's maximum price, the deposit may be returned to the user.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for use in an auction in which selected content items, or advertisements, of content providers, or advertisers, are selected and served, and in which, for an item served in response to a serving opportunity, contingent upon occurrence of a specified user action, an associated provider's account is charged a first sum and an associated publisher's account is credited a second sum. Performance of particular content items may be explored, such as ones for which little or no historical performance information may be available. Content item selection may be based at least in part on an objective of acquiring learning information that can be used in prediction of future performance of the content item. The associated provider's account may be charged a sum that reflects a learning value component, but the associated publisher's account may be credited a sum that does not reflect a learning value component.

Abstract: A method for creating informational guides includes receiving a guide specification and a guide content for a plurality of guides; publishing the plurality of guides to a Web-based network for access to users of the network; serving advertising to the plurality of published guides; and rewarding owners of the plurality of published guides by providing compensation thereto based on revenue from the served advertising.

Abstract: A method for creating informational guides includes receiving a guide specification and a guide content for a plurality of guides; publishing the plurality of guides to a Web-based network for access to users of the network; serving advertising to the plurality of published guides; and rewarding owners of the plurality of published guides by providing compensation thereto based on revenue from the served advertising.