Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques to infer customer communication preferences based on interactions between customers and merchants. In the past, merchants have typically asked customers to either opt-in or opt-out from receiving subsequent communications from the merchants. However, many customers simply choose the default setting, such that the resultant “selection” does not adequately reflect their desires regarding whether and how much future communication they would like to receive. This often results in high unsubscribe rates and/or ineffective merchant communication. The described techniques utilize behavior of a customer as a more accurate gauge of how receptive the customer is to receiving communications from a merchant.

Abstract: An online transaction processing service may be used by a merchant to process payments for purchase transactions. The service may also support the merchant in other ways, such as by managing sales promotions and points-based loyalty programs. The service is configured to analyze customer purchasing behaviors, to identify groups of customers exhibiting similar purchasing behaviors, and to recommend sales promotions to particular groups of customers. The particular groups to which promotions are directed may be selected by the system based on sales priorities of the merchant and/or the business type of the merchant. The products offered as part of the promotions may similarly be selected based on sales priorities and business types, as well as existing inventories of products and profit margins associated with the products.