Abstract: Techniques are provided for use in online advertisement selection in response to a search query. Techniques are provided in which historical online advertising information is obtained. Segmentation is performed of advertisements and queries and used in generating segment pairs, and an associated advertisement performance is determined for each pair. Segmentation is also performed of a particular query and a candidate advertisement for selection to be served in response, and using the resulting segments, pairs are identified and used in adding to a term set associated with the candidate advertisement, which term set is used in assessing the advertisement for selection.

Abstract: A system for contacting leads and tracking the status of those contacts includes a website containing information of interest to the prospects. Preferably, the list of leads is a narrowly targeted group defined by one or more preselected metrics, and the information is narrowly directed to such targeted group. Each lead is contacted through a secondary channel, such as normal US Mail, and provided an offer and information related to the website. Each lead is provided with targeted sales information and a unique identifier to enable them to log on to the website to retrieve information of interest to them; the act of logging on to the website then qualifies them as prospects. A tracking system recognizes when a prospect logs on to the website and keeps identifiable records of the time and locations each prospect visits or utilizes on the website. Upon receipt of a log on by a new prospect, a designated representative is informed of such contact by email and put in direct touch with the prospect.

Abstract: Techniques for improving advertisement relevance for sponsored search advertising. The method includes steps for processing a click history data structure containing at least a plurality of query-advertisement pairs, populating a first translation table containing a co-occurrence count field, populating a second translation table containing an expected clicks field, and calculating a click propensity score for an advertisement using the click history data structure, the first translation table (for determining overall click likelihood across all historical traffic), and using the second translation table (for removing biases present in the first translation table).

Abstract: A method for representing and managing an inventory of overlapping multi-dimensional items such as advertising or ad impressions. The method uses an inventory management module to generate unique segment identifiers for sets of inventory items by processing descriptions of the sets of impressions including defining criteria. The method includes processing the unique segment identifiers to create a representation of the inventory as a plurality of inventory regions, which may include non-overlapping regions that correspond to inventory items in a single set of the inventory and also include overlapping regions that correspond to inventory items in two or more of the sets (e.g., items that match two or more sets of defining criteria or attributes). Availability and selection of inventory is determined using the information on inventory regions to control effects of cannibalization, such as by implementing logically necessary allocation to only cannibalize a region on a limited or forced basis.

Abstract: In general, this specification relates to content presentation. One aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in methods that include the actions of presenting one or more content items to a user, each content item being associated with a conversion location; logging an identifier for each of the one or more content items presented to the user; receiving a location and user identifier from the user; using the user identifier to identify the one or more content items presented to the user and comparing, using one or more processors, the location to the conversion location of the one or more content items presented to the user; and logging a conversion for a particular presented content item having a conversion location matching the received location. Other embodiments of this aspect include corresponding systems, apparatus, and computer program products.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for finding predictive cross-category search queries for behavioral targeting in a networked online display advertising system. The methods include aggregating a training model dataset, the training model dataset comprising a history of clicks corresponding to historical advertisements. The training model dataset also contains plurality of targeting categories related to the history of clicks. Various techniques are disclosed for selecting a plurality of features from the training model dataset and calculating a click probability for a subject advertisement to be clicked by a user from a page, the calculating operations using features of the page that is to be presented to the user. Embodiments include mapping a particular query to one of the targeting categories and then presenting the subject advertisement selected on the basis of the value of the click probability. Normalization scales down the value of the click probabilities to filter out false positive categories.

Abstract: A method for determining an ad to display in an ad unit is disclosed. A specification of a targeting vendor ad is received from a targeting vendor, wherein the specification includes a targeting vendor commission. A targeting vendor ad value is determined based at least in part on the targeting vendor commission. The ad to display in the ad unit is determined, based on a comparison of the targeting vendor ad with other ads, wherein the comparison depends at least in part on the targeting vendor ad value. A method for determining an ad to display in an ad unit is disclosed. A specification of a targeting vendor ad is received from a targeting vendor, wherein the specification includes an indication of an ad value guaranteed by the targeting vendor. A targeting vendor ad value is determined based at least in part on the indication.

Abstract: A charging method and system for determining an advertising cost according to a unit time are provided. The charging method includes checking a performance index numerically indicating performance of an advertisement; checking a priority index of a next-priority advertisement to the advertisement; and determining an actual charge per unit time of the advertisement based on the performance index, the priority index, and a predetermined weight.

Abstract: A method and system for placement of graphical objects on a page to optimize the occurrence of an event associated with such objects. The graphical objects might include, for instance, advertisements on a webpage, and the event would include a user clicking on that ad. The page includes positions for receipt of the object material. Data regarding the past performance of the objects is stored and updated as new data is received. A user requests a page from a server associated with system. The server uses the performance data to derive a prioritized arrangement of the objects on the page. The server performs a calculation regarding the likelihood that an event will occur for a given object, as displayed to a particular user. The objects are arranged according to this calculation and returned to the user on the requested page. The likelihood can also be multiplied by a weighting factor and the objects arranged according to this product.

Abstract: As a result of the system, effective advertisements may be created using only the structured data from the seller. The difficulty of determining keywords to bid on is eliminated as the system determines the keywords from the structured data. In addition, the structure data is used to create the text and images for an advertisement. The seller supplies the sales data and the system creates advertisement based on the sales data. In addition, the system may be able to create and adjust bids on keywords to better optimize sales.

Abstract: A method of providing a targeted communication to a first device having data communication capabilities and for verifying usage of the targeted communication by a user, the method including: receiving and storing communication generation criteria from a first party; receiving target information from the first device, wherein the target information is associated with the user or the first device; comparing the target information with the communication generation criteria; generating the targeted communication based on results of the step of comparing; delivering the targeted communication to the first device, wherein the targeted communication comprises a verification action; determining if the verification action has been performed; and, storing the targeted communication on the first device or on a second device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems, methods, and computer-storage media for providing a method of evaluating preferences of particular users with respect to engaging with advertisements. In one embodiment, advertisements are delivered to users based on user engagement with advertisements. In particular, a request is received from an advertiser to present an advertisement to a set of users meeting a threshold user engagement level. After evaluating user engagement levels of the set of users, a subset of the set of users meeting the threshold user engagement level is determined. The advertisement is then presented to the subset of users.

Abstract: A system for managing tailored marketing to users of wireless devices adapted to wirelessly access a computer network. The system includes a user database storing a plurality of user data, each user data including a user identifier and a device identifier that identifies a wireless device of a user. A management module transmits marketing information to a selected wireless device, and receives an identifier of a financial account that was used to perform a financial transaction in response to the marketing information transmitted to the selected wireless device. The module stores this identifier in the user database so as to associate the selected wireless device to the received financial account identifier. The financial account identifier can now be used to obtain personal information about the user such as the user's purchase history to generate tailored marketing information to the selected wireless device.

Abstract: Assigning a mobile application to a promotional slot in a mobile application marketplace managed by an operator. One or more bids for the promotional slot in the mobile application marketplace are received. Each of the received bids is associated with one of a plurality of applications and includes a value representing a proposed revenue share with the operator. Revenue potential information corresponding to the applications associated with the bids is accessed. Expected revenue for the operator for the applications associated with the bids is calculated based on the received bids and the accessed revenue potential information. The calculated expected revenue differentiates the mobile applications. One of the applications is selected to be assigned to the promotional slot based at least on the calculated expected revenue for the operator.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for enabling the automated selection of keywords for rapid keyword portfolio expansion are disclosed. Various embodiments are operable to normalize a plurality of keywords received from a source, filter the normalized plurality of keywords against one or more keyword filtration lists, produce site-specific variants of the filtered plurality of keywords, associate at least one level of dimension data with each of the plurality of keywords, and store the processed plurality of keywords and dimension data in a keyword database.

Abstract: A method for implementing a campaign can include registering in a database each of a plurality of registered users to receive notifications sent on behalf of a business customer. A given campaign can be created for the business customer by storing campaign data that parameterizes at least timing and content for the given campaign. In response to determining to begin distribution of the campaign based on the campaign data, a unique campaign code associated with the given campaign can be sent to a point-of-sale (POS) system to enable tracking of transactional activity motivated by the campaign. At least one notification can also be sent to each of the plurality registered users about the campaign. The notification further can include an offer code that is based on at least a portion of the unique code associated with the given campaign.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for managing quality of an advertising document. The method of managing document quality may include verifying a number of actual clicks corresponding to a number of clicks that may occur during a predetermined period with respect to at least one document that may exist on the Web, verifying a number of expected clicks corresponding to a number of clicks that may be expected to occur during the predetermined period with respect to the at least one document, and determining a quality management index by which quality of the at least one document may be numerically expressed based on the number of the expected clicks and the number of the actual clicks.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for targeting of online advertisements. Methods are provided which include classifying an individual into a state, of a set of possible states, relative to relationship with regard to an offering or brand. The classification may be based on offline and online information. The states may relate to a degree of favorability with which the individual is disposed with regard to the offering or brand. The individual is targeted with an online advertisement based at least in part on the state into which the individual is classified.

Abstract: Techniques are described herein for using an impression-trend technique to provide a display advertising supply forecast. A display advertising supply forecast is an estimate of a number of impressions, which are to occur in a future time period, that have specified attribute values. For example, the specified attribute values may be descriptive of impressions with respect to which an advertiser wishes to place ads. An impression-trend technique is a forecasting technique that uses trends regarding past impressions to forecast a number of future impressions that have specified attribute values. The past impressions include attribute values that are related to the specified attribute values.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for determining an earnings per-click for a social publisher who, along with other types of digital content, publishes advertisements within a digital content distribution channel. The earnings per-click for a social publisher is determined based on an engagement score of the publisher that indicates the effectiveness of the publisher in terms of generating successful advertising outcomes. The engagement score is computed based on the performance of the advertisements published by the social publisher as well as different metrics associated with the social publisher that are collected from the advertising platform.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for providing online advertisements to consumers. A method disclosed herein allows a consumer to provide contact information to a business in response to a search request submitted to a search engine. Subsequently, the business may initiate a communication to the consumer at the contact information provided by the consumer. As a result, the business has better assurance that the advertisement fees provided to the search engine is in fact generating better consumer contacts for the business. In an embodiment of the system disclosed herein a telecommunications service provider may receive the contact information from the consumer and establish a line of communication between the consumer and the business.

Abstract: A system for generating advertisements includes a communication interface to obtain a user entry for creating an advertisement. A data memory is coupled with the communication interface. The data memory stores the user entry. A processor is coupled with the data memory. In accordance with the user entry, the processor generates an advertisement, where the advertisement is made available for immediate display to a public.

Abstract: A brand name is used to generate a domain name portfolio comprising at least one brand domain name comprising the brand name and a top-level domain name, and at least one qualified brand domain name comprising the brand name, at least one qualifying term, and a top level domain name. Network traffic is tracked for each of the domain names in the domain name portfolio over an analysis period. A role of brand index is determined, wherein the role of brand index is determined using the ratio of network traffic for the brand domain name to a total of the network traffic for all domain names in the domain name portfolio. Additionally, revenue generated by websites linked to each of the domain names in the domain name portfolio is tracked over the analysis period. Brand earnings are then calculated the revenue generated by websites.

Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure relate to a system for providing feedback to an advertiser related to the effectiveness of advertising using the transaction data, including one or more organization databases, a transaction data analyzer that analyzes transaction data, an advertisement repository database, and a computer system configured to allow advertisements to be uploaded to the advertisement repository database, to allow the communication of feedback related to advertising effectiveness to the advertiser. Transaction data analyzer may search financial transaction data based on advertiser input, may determine characteristics of the searched financial transaction data, and determine results based on the determined characteristics. Further, the system may communicate the results to the advertiser.

Abstract: A method for executing multiple, cascading ad auctions, including receiving a request to deliver ads in response to a search query for display on a search results page having a plurality of ad sections; executing at least first and second sequential auctions for the plurality of ad sections by: ranking the ads in the first auction and identifying which of the ads placeable in the North section to deliver according to a first utility function that considers a relevance of the search results page with the ads placed; ranking a remainder of the ads not identified for delivery to the North section in the second auction and identifying which of the remainder of the ranked ads to deliver to a second section based on a second utility function; and delivering the ads identified by the first utility function for display in the North section and the ads identified by the second utility function for display in the second section.

Abstract: According to some example embodiments, a method includes calculating learning values associated with a plurality of listings, at least one of said learning values associated with one of said listings representing a value based, at least in part, on a probability distribution of selections of said listing. The method further includes applying said learning values to ranking scores associated with said listings to provide an updated ranking, and electronically auctioning advertising inventory to purchasers associated with said listings based, at least in part, on said updated ranking.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods and devices, including a method that includes receiving information about one or more transactions, each transaction including a respective sale of at least one first item selected by a customer and an offer of cross-sale of at least one second item offered to the customer, the information about each of the transactions including information about an outcome of the respective offer of cross-sales. The method further includes determining effectiveness measures based on the received information, with each of the effectiveness measures being associated with at least one of a plurality of combinations of at least one purchasable item and a corresponding offer of cross-sale of at least another purchasable item. The effectiveness measures are representative of a likelihood of the corresponding offer of the cross-sale being accepted when offered in combination with the respective at least one purchasable item.

Abstract: Internet based provision of goods and services continues to proliferate as providers of goods and services realize that their customer base can be expanded from a local geographic catchment, to a national or even a world wide clientele. The present invention provides an integrated web-based system which includes the provision of web-based templates generated by said code in a first language, a first web-based module for customization of a web-based global master template into a website to suit a registered third party Vendor. The system further provides a second web-based module for translation of a selected website into at least a second language. Also provided is a tracking facility in which a registered third party Vendor receives statistical data of contact interaction with a website of a third party Vendor Partner.

Abstract: An auction format may be selected pursuant to analyzing and identifying certain statistical patterns in historical data. For example, the choice of auction format may be based on whether bids and quality exhibit correlation, which can be identified in the historical data. By identifying the statistical patterns in the data, one can choose an auction format that can achieve generation of higher revenue. Such techniques allow an auctioneer, such as a search engine, to generate higher revenue than using a fixed auction format. For example, in the context of sponsored search auction, if the value of a click and the probability of a click are positively correlated, the auctioneer generates higher revenue by ranking the advertisers by bids rather than by bids multiplied by quality.

Abstract: The present invention improves upon existing systems and methods by providing a passive profile creation method. The data accessible to a financial processor, such as spend level data, is leveraged using sophisticated data clustering and/or data appending techniques. Associations are established among entities (e.g., consumers), among merchants, and between entities and merchants. In one embodiment, a system and method for passively collecting spend level data for a transaction of a first entity, aggregating the collected spend level data for a plurality of entities; and clustering the first entity with a subset of the plurality of entities, based on aggregated spend level data of the first entity is provided.

Abstract: A search engine provider enters into an agreement with a content provider wherein the search engine provider agrees to provide compensation in exchange for the content provider giving content to the search engine provider. The content may comprise data that normally can't be accessed without a subscription, or any other content. The content may comprise information that indicates a structure of the content provider's web pages. The search engine may display normally inaccessible content with search results. The search engine may use structural information to classify and extract data items from web pages, and to highlight those data items in search results with labels that identify each such data item's class. A computing device determines the extent to which enhancement of the search results page using the content provider's content increased the revenue value of the page. The amount paid to the content provider may be based on this extent.

Abstract: A method and system receives a first data feed from at least one third-party computerized device by way of a computerized network connected to the customer computerized device. This first data feed is displayed through the display item. The graphic user interface receives customer interaction information when the customer interacts with the display item. The method transmits such customer interaction information to the third-party computerized device by way of the customer computerized network. The customer computerized device then receives a second data feed from the third-party computerized device by way of the computerized network. The second data feed is different than the first data feed and the second data feed is based on the customer interaction information and/or the group usage statistics.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for use in online advertising campaign management, including bid management in an online advertising auction. Techniques are provided in which a benchmark set of previously served advertisements is identified, and associated performance information is obtained. During an online auction, when an advertisement impression opportunity becomes available, information obtained using a machine learning technique may be utilized in forecasting an advertiser value-based metric associated with the opportunity, using the benchmark set of advertisements and the associated performance. The forecasted advertiser value-based metric can be used in determining bidding and pricing associated with the opportunity.

Abstract: A system and method for the evaluation and measurement of the performance of out of home (OOH) media is disclosed. The disclosed system may provide a system for computer-based means consolidating in an easily accessed format, information that has relevance to the marketing process of a particular brand or product and the performance measurement of a users outdoor media campaign.

Abstract: The tracking of ad selections (such as ad clicks for example), and/or rich levels of ad performance may be facilitated by encoding one or more ad properties in a click URL of the ad. An intermediate URL server may be used to decode such ad properties when the ad is selected.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for use in association with an online advertising auction. Advertiser bid information may be obtained, including a maximum amount per impression and a target click through rate (“CTR”). Following serving, if a delivered CTR is equal to or greater than the target CTR, then pricing per impression is at the maximum amount. If, however, the delivered CTR is less than the target CTR, then pricing per impression is at an amount equal to the maximum amount per impression multiplied by the ratio of the delivered CTR to the target CTR.

Abstract: A method and a system evaluate a company website's online marketing efficiency on various advertising websites by evaluating both access activities and business activities of users originating from the advertising websites. For each user visiting the company website, the method determines the originating website from which the user enters the company website, and obtains the access activities and the business activities of the user on the company website. The method quantifies the access activities and the business activities of the users who enter the present website from the same originating website to generate evaluation data corresponding to the originating website, and evaluates the company website's online marketing efficiency on the originating website based on the evaluation data of the originating website. Using the disclosed method and system, online marketing efficiency can be evaluated more comprehensively and accurately.

Abstract: A method, system and graphical user interface for a chat system is disclosed. One aspect of certain embodiments includes identifying and sending advertisements to respective users based on the respective selection and filtering criteria selected by the respective users.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to systems and methods for directing information to people and/or households likely to be receptive to the information. Systems and methods according to the invention can be used to target one or more marketing messages, such as various types of offers, to one or more consumers determined likely to be receptive to the message(s).

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a system and method for tracking links displayed in Web browsers. In some implementations, a method includes receiving a hostname operable to identify an action and an instance of a link displayed through a Web browser. The hostname is unique for a period of time. The one or more actions associated with the displayed link are tracked.

Abstract: A method for customizing direct marketing campaigns, by utilizing relationships within a computer social network and information that is known about the social network members to find the best opportunity to provide an offer for goods and services to potential customers; providing offers for the goods and the services via the computer based upon receiving recommendations from acquaintances of potential customers via the social networks; and sending offers to the potential customers via the computer on behalf of their acquaintance.

Abstract: A system for keyword valuation is described. An example system includes a communications module, a valuation model selector, and a keyword value calculator. The communications module may be configured to receive a request for a value of a keyword. The valuation model selector may be configured to select a valuation model to be applied for determining the value of the keyword, based on an observed number of clicks associated with the keyword. The keyword value calculator may be configured to calculate the value of the keyword by applying the selected valuation model.

Abstract: A method, computer program product and system are disclosed for procuring, identifying, collecting, analyzing and tracking potential buyers and investors of real property using an electronic network like the Internet. A central managing authority uses uniquely configured data processing devices and signage bearing QR Codes to induce potential buyers of real estate to electronically contact the central managing authority in manner which allows the central managing authority to track when, how and where the potential customers where induced to make contact. The disclosed method and system uniquely assist the central managing authority in the solicitation of the newly acquired sales leads to save expending inefficient amounts of time and money inherent in realizing traditional methods. Signage is printed bearing and RFID tag or two- or three-dimensional bar codes, such as a QR Code, and positioned in accordance with a predetermined criteria.

Abstract: Aspects of this invention are directed toward determining the effectiveness of advertising in a virtual universe. Specifically, under the present invention, a visit by an avatar to a region of the VU that includes targeted advertising content is registered. Then, the following avatar attributes are determined: a proximity to the target advertising content by the avatar; an avatar directionality of the avatar with respect to the target advertising content; a camera directionality of a camera object associated with the avatar; and a time with respect to which the avatar may be exposed to the target advertising content in the region. Thereafter, at least one score is assigned to the visit, the proximity, the directionality, and the time. An effectiveness score is then calculated based on the at least one score. The overall effectiveness of the target advertising content is then calculated based on the at least one score.

Abstract: Search and advertising systems may be optimized through the use of user feedback. Selected parameters such as ranking, filtering, placement, and pricing may be optimized to achieve certain objectives. The optimization may include real-time user monitoring of multiple configurations with various parameters. In one embodiment, a subset of user queries may be assigned to a particular configuration for monitoring and measuring the real-time performance of that configuration. The performance for multiple configurations may be used to identify optimal settings.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for online monitoring systems to determine offline advertising effectiveness. Information related to an advertisement for a product is received. The advertisement is presented through offline media. The information includes an advertising schedule. Communications related to the product that are received from the consumers in the market at the time the advertisement is presented, are detected. Data responsive to the detected communications are collected; the data represent a number of consumers in the market. A statistical correlation between the collected data and the advertising schedule is determined and provided to the advertiser as a report of the effectiveness of the advertising.

Abstract: A method for linking online computer activity with non-online consumer activity by creating a unique identifier for each consumer; storing online and non-online consumer activity in a database indexed by the unique identifier; and modifying online or non-online consumer offerings based on processing the stored online and non-online consumer activity.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for advertising in connection with a video segment. Methods are provided in which a time-spaced sequence of video overlay advertisements are displayed. Advertisements of the sequence may be user-interactive and may relate to subject matter of the video segment displayed during display of the advertisements. A later one or more advertisements of the sequence may relate to, or tie together, each of several of the preceding advertisements of the sequence, and may be provided as part of, or may help provide, a reward to the user for interaction with each of the several preceding advertisements.

Abstract: The present invention overcomes the deficiencies and limitations of the prior art by providing a direct tracking module for keywords. In one embodiment, the system comprises a direct tracking module, a bid management system, a web analytics tool and a search engine. The direct tracking module interfaces with the bid management system to provide user interfaces for reviewing data about specific keyword and ads/text pairs. The direct tracking module uses unique codes to provide specific information about which combination of keyword and text generated specific Web traffic, such as traffic that generated a sale. This is particularly advantageous because the keyword/text pairs that generate a large number of sales can be reused to generate future traffic. Similarly, keyword/text pairs that do not generate Web traffic can be eliminated from the words that are purchased by the advertiser.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and apparatus for estimating advertisement impressions and advertiser search share. These estimates are improved by eliminating duplicate traffic based on similar words having similar traffic estimates. In addition, coverage is estimated for a particular advertiser keywords using statistical sampling. This coverage estimate is then used as a weighing factor when estimating traffic for an entire business category (e.g., group of keywords) by squaring the individual traffic estimates, summing the squared estimates, and then taking the square root of that sum.