Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for determining similarity measures between vertical categories based on users' online activities. The similarity measures are symmetric similarity measures based on both a similarity measure of a first vertical category relative to a second vertical category and a similarity measure of the second vertical category relative to the first vertical category.

Abstract: A software based system and method of displaying location based information from an information site on a network by determining location data of a user of the location based information on the network. The location based information is generated based on the determined location data of the user; and generated location based information is provided to the user over the network.

Abstract: Search engine reliance on link-based ranking algorithms has been shown to delay the visibility of fresh content added to the World Wide Web (Web), relative to established content. Fresh content abstracts are randomly inserted into top ranked search results to achieve more even visibility coverage of the Web and improve overall search quality. Searcher behavior is monitored to infer a rank for the fresh content, and for established content. Rank that is so inferred is termed “ResultRank.” ResultRank is used to compliment link-based ranking schemes to improve web visibility and avoid a bias toward established links. Searcher satisfaction is monitored during this process since the quality of fresh content is unknown. A search engine extended enterprise metric (R metric) is introduced and designed to monitor aggregate searcher satisfaction. ResultRank and the R metric are used to complement existing ranking and pricing algorithms for sponsored results as well.

Abstract: A data processing system collects messages to create user profiles for users of user devices. The messages are collected from various systems and include data regarding user events on user devices. The user profiles are stored in a targeting database. In response to a request for information corresponding to a user device, a user profile is identified using data from the request and information from the profile is provided to the requester.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for personalizing interaction between an information/service/product provider using a knowledge management (KM) system that tracks data exchanged between users and the provider over multiple communication channels. User requests to an information/service/product provider can made via multiple different channels, such as by using ATMs, PDAs, cell phones, computers accessing web sites or other Web Devices, Voice Response Units (VRUs), and others. User requests submitted over these multiple channels are routed into an integrated KM system that services these requests.

Abstract: A method for reducing unwanted paper advertisement mailings includes offering an interface for presenting advertisements from businesses for products or services to consumers, presenting the advertisement to the consumers, and providing the consumers with information for opting out of paper advertisement mailings from the businesses.

Abstract: Content of a first type, such as web pages, are identified in response to a query. One or more correlated entities are identified based on the content of the first type. Content of a second type, such as advertisements, are identified based on the one or more of the correlated entities.

Abstract: Ads are scored using, at least, user information and information associated with a user request, such as a search query or a document request. The scores may be used in determining whether to serve ads, how to serve ads, to order ads, to filter ads, etc. Items of user information, request-associated information, and/or ad information can be weighted based on previous uses of such information in the serving of ads and the performance of those served ads.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus, including computer program products, for generating cookies. Multiple advertisements for multiple advertisers are stored on an ad server. Hostnames specific to each of the multiple advertisers are generated dynamically. The generated hostnames identify the ad server. A reference is generated identifying a particular advertisement of the multiple advertisements and the ad server. The ad server is identified in the reference with the generated hostname associated with the advertiser of the advertisement. The reference is provided to a client. A request is received from the client for the advertisement. The request includes the generated hostname. In response to the request, a client cookie, which includes a unique identifier, is sent to the client.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus, including computer program products, for generating cookies. Multiple advertisements for multiple advertisers are stored on an ad server. Hostnames specific to each of the multiple advertisers are generated dynamically. The generated hostnames identify the ad server. A reference is generated identifying a particular advertisement of the multiple advertisements and the ad server. The ad server is identified in the reference with the generated hostname associated with the advertiser of the advertisement. The reference is provided to a client. A request is received from the client for the advertisement. The request includes the generated hostname. In response to the request, a client cookie, which includes a unique identifier, is sent to the client.

Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for displaying mobile content in association with a website on a mobile communication facility based at least in part on receiving a website request from a mobile carrier gateway, receiving contextual information relating to the requested website, associating the received contextual information with a mobile content, and, finally, displaying the mobile content with the website on a mobile communication facility.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for interactive advertising can include displaying on a display a context-specific interactive text cloud containing a plurality of displayed topics that are topically associated with a common context. An advertisement can be displayed that is topically associated with one or more displayed topics of the plurality of displayed topics, with the common context of the context-specific interactive text cloud, or both. The step of displaying an advertisement can be initiated by an interaction by a user with a first displayed topic of the plurality of displayed topics.

Abstract: Systems and associated methods for clustering a plurality of nodes based on connectivity among the plurality of nodes, determining relevant content of the clusters, and applying knowledge regarding the relevant content are described. The nodes can include for example web-based documents such as web pages. The clusters can include for example groups of web pages that are linked together, as via hyperlinks. The relevant content can include one or more topics associated with the web page, as for example determined via text mining. Applying the knowledge regarding the relevant content can include for example using the one or more topics associated with the web pages to augment search results and/or conduct contextual advertising.

Abstract: A directory advertising system includes a user interface module, a database, and a control module. The user interface module displays a special telephone number for an advertiser in a directory advertisement. The database stores the directory advertisement, the special telephone number, and a maximum amount to be charged to the advertiser. The control module decrements the amount stored in the database when the special telephone number is dialed and deactivates the special telephone number when the amount reaches a predetermined level.

Abstract: A technique for determining a match between a character string including an evaluation and product information stored in a storage device and including a feature description of a product. The character string includes a name of an evaluation object to be evaluated and an evaluation expression representing the evaluation of the evaluation object. The matching method includes a first determining step of determining from the evaluation object and the evaluation expression whether the evaluation expression represents a positive evaluation of the evaluation object or a negative evaluation of the evaluation object; and a second determining step of determining, when the evaluation expression represents a positive evaluation of the evaluation object, if the evaluation expression is included in a feature description of a product, the product to be a matched product, and if the evaluation expression is not included in a feature description of a product, the product to be a mismatched product.

Abstract: Online advertisement selection techniques are described. In an implementation, data is obtained which describes interaction of one or more clients with advertisements embedded in television content. An advertisement is selected to be displayed in conjunction with web content accessed by the one or more clients based on the interaction with the advertisements described in the data.

Abstract: Disclosed are a user control-based advertising system and a method thereof. The user control-based advertising system provides an advertisement display region and an advertisement control region by discriminating the two regions from each other, and comprises: an advertisement region setup unit that sets up the advertisement display region for selectively displaying plural advertisements and the advertisement control region for controlling advertisements displayed therein by discriminating advertisement display and control regions from each other; a communication unit that receives a user command through the advertisement control region and communicates with the advertisement display region according to the received command; and an advertisement control unit that controls the animation function of the advertisement displayed in the advertisement display region according to the user command or controls the movement and selection of other advertisements displayed in the advertisement display region.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for dynamically ordering advertisements received from at least one advertisement supplier. In one embodiment, a method includes sending a request to at least a first advertisement supplier; receiving one or more advertisements from the at least first advertisement supplier; identifying a prioritizing parameter associated with each of the one or more advertisements; and dynamically ordering the one or more advertisements from the at least first advertisement supplier into two or more positions of a response based on the prioritizing parameter.

Abstract: A system for and method of location aware retail may include receiving, via a network, a location of a mobile user device, generating, using at least one programmed processor, one or more search results based at least in part on the location of the mobile user device and price preference data and proximity preference data of a user of the mobile user device, and providing, via the network, information to the mobile user device based at least in part on the one or more search results.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods to improve the relevancy of rendered advertising material to one or more consumers based on user-defined preferences, geolocation, and user-granted permission. The present invention achieves this through the presentation of exemplary methods for: i) the consolidation of advertisement information to include description, inventory, price, quantity and geolocation information of one or more merchants in a commerce network; ii) the delivery of relevant advertising material to one or more consumers using preference filters that can specify one or more merchants, merchant locations, products and services, and/or regions of interest at any time; and, iii) the presentation of location-based advertisements that are based on consumer-based permission and preference filters. These methods improve the user-targeting, geographic and time relevancy of advertisements by connecting merchants with relevant consumers who are looking to purchase items at that point in time.

Abstract: A targeted advertising server system for providing advertising material to a browser which is operatively coupled with an internet of interconnected computer networks via an internet service provider (ISP). The system includes a database containing a plurality of advertisements and a matching engine operatively coupled with the database. The matching engine includes computer-readable instructions adapted to receive browsing information transmitted to the targeted advertising server system via the ISP, where the browsing information pertains to one or more web pages requested by the browser and is obtained by a context reader applied from the ISP to operate on the requested web pages. The computer readable instructions are further adapted to select one of the plurality of advertisements from the database for delivery to and presentation at the browser, such selection being dependent upon the browsing information received from the ISP.

Abstract: A cable network content delivery system providing advertising information via a cable network and an advertising content interface are described. An advertiser submits advertising content over an internet which is then adapted for a cable network. A data gateway stores the advertising information. The system processes a user command received via the cable network, including an advertising information search command, and provides advertising information retrieved via the cable network.

Abstract: A system to provide search query information. The system receives a request for search query information, identifies a set of search queries from a search query log that includes search queries submitted to a search service over a predetermined length of time, and provides the set of search queries. Each of the set of search queries is associated with at least a predetermined number of unique identifiers. Each of the set of search queries is matched to the request for search query information by a combination of exact matches, expanded matches, and broad matches.

Abstract: A localization service is provided that provides users with online information on local retailers that sell particular products. A user can perform a search using a web page associated with the localization service or by searching using an internet search engine. The user's search includes a search origin. The search origin may be defined in terms of location information such as a place name or a postal code. A search for a particular product at local retailers may be made using search parameters such as search origins, product names, model numbers, product categories, and product attributes. The localization service may provide the user with search results in the form of web pages that list which retailers sell the desired product in the vicinity of the search origin. A targeted advertisement server at the localization service may use display criteria to determine which targeted advertisements should be displayed for the user.

Abstract: A system and method for deriving income from URL based context queries. A URL based user context query is received over a network from a user, wherein the user context comprises at least one user context criteria. A query is formulated based on the context criteria so as to search for user profile data, social network data, spatial data, temporal data, topical data and context query bid data that is available via the network and relates to the context so as to identify entries in a context query bid database that relate to user context criteria. A dynamic webpage is generated having content relating to the query and advertisements associated with the selected bid are inserted into the webpage. The dynamic webpage is transmitted to the user. The advertiser associated with the selected bid is charged a fee when a user interface event relating to the dynamic webpage occurs.

Abstract: Techniques are described herein for selecting an advertisement using user search history segmentation. Instances of queries that are provided by a user are referred to collectively as the search history of the user. The search history is segmented into sessions that correspond to respective tasks of the user. Each of the sessions includes a respective subset of the query instances that are included in the user's search history. A weight is assigned to each session based on attribute(s) of the respective session. A session that includes a first subset of the query instances is selected based on the weight that is assigned to that session. Features are extracted from query instances that are included in the first subset. Weights are assigned to the extracted features based on attribute(s) of the first subset. An advertisement is selected to be provided to the user based on the extracted features and corresponding weights.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method, a system, and a computer-readable recording medium for flexibly partitioning and providing a keyword advertisement area. The method for providing a keyword advertisement includes: receiving at least one bidding information for the keyword advertisement from at least one advertiser device; creating a combined advertisement slot by combining at least some of a plurality of advertisement slots of a keyword advertisement area based on the at least one bidding information; and providing at least one keyword advertisement using the combined advertisement slot and/or advertisement slots that are not combined among the plurality of advertisement slots.

Abstract: Ambiguities with respect to a user topic interest may be resolved so that useful topic-relevant ads can be presented. Such ambiguities may be resolved by monitoring user behavior, determining a user topic interest (e.g., from a plurality of different candidate topics) based on the monitored behavior, and serving ads relevant to the determined user topic interest.

Abstract: Described is processing the search results obtained from a search engine to determine advertisements that match properties of those search results. For example, the URL-related information or domain-related information in the search results may be used to select an advertisement. Also described are various conditions that may need to be met before an advertisement is selected. Further, an advertisement may be modified to include information in the search results, such as to insert a competing company's name that appears in a search result into the advertisement. Also described is a system for returning keywords in response to a URL/domain.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for providing conversion path performance measures and reports. In one aspect, user interaction data are obtained, were the user interaction data specify user interactions for a plurality of conversions. User interactions that are associated with each conversion are selected from the user interaction data, where the associated user interactions for each conversion are user interactions with a converting user during the conversion cycle for the conversion. Using the user interaction data for the selected user interactions, a quantity of user interactions that are associated with each conversion and occurred during the conversion cycle for the conversion are determined. In turn, conversion path performance measures are computed and reports specifying the conversion path performance measures are generated.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, system and/or computer program product dynamically display ancillary content on a webpage. A text entry is detected as an input to a find engine that locates and highlights the text entry within a main body of a webpage being displayed on a computer. A scope of the text entry is determined based on the textual context of the text entry and the type of webpage being displayed. An in-place adjustment is then utilized to automatically retrieve and display ancillary content on the webpage based on the textual context of the text entry and the type of webpage being displayed without refreshing the main body of the webpage.

Abstract: In one aspect, a computing apparatus is configured to facilitate the identification of a transaction resulting from an activity occurring in a substantially separate context or environment, such as an offline transaction in a “brick and mortar” retail store resulting from an online advertisement or an online search. The computing apparatus may match information about the activity and information about the transaction to correlate the online activity and the offline transaction. The matching process may involve the use of an offer for a discount, an incentive, a rebate, a reward, reward points, cash back, a gift, etc. The offer is to be provided in the advertisement associated with an online activity and redeemed in a payment transaction, processed via the transaction handler, to correlate the advertisement and the transaction.

Abstract: A software based system and method of displaying location based information from an information site on a network by determining location data of a user of the location based information on the network. The location based information is generated based on the determined location data of the user; and generated location based information is provided to the user over the network.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for creating ad groups based on sequential search queries are disclosed. A seed ad group theme can be selected. Aggregated sequential search queries can be obtained from a seed search query having identical terms as the seed ad group theme. The aggregated sequential search queries can be used as additional ad group themes for generating new ad groups. Keywords can be selected for each new ad groups based on one or more performance criteria. Performance of ad groups and keywords and changes in aggregated sequential search queries can be monitored for subsequent ad group creation, removal, and dynamic tuning.

Abstract: A method for presenting tailored content to a user, comprising: presenting a central coordinating interface to a client; Generating a portion of client specific computer code, including a unique site identification token for a client site and at least one operating parameter; Integrating the client specific computer code into the client site, serving at least one user the client site having integrated client specific computer code therein and giving the option to download an end-user application; Sending a request with at least one request parameter when a user selects to download the end-user application; Processing the request parameters and the operating parameters to dynamically generate an end-user application; providing the end-user application to the user, which presents tailored content to the user according to at least one of detail, request parameter and operating parameter.

Abstract: Described is using per-user profile data (e.g., maintained in a browser cookie) as a factor in selecting advertisements to be presented to a user for a current context such as containing query keywords. For example, an advertiser may be willing to bid more if the current context's keywords match the user profile data that indicates a particular area of interest to the user and advertiser. Also described is updating the per-user profile data with the current context if doing so increases the expected utility of the per-user profile data, e.g., increases the predicted amount of revenue from advertisement clicking. Also described is other advertisement personalization based upon the per-user profile data, e.g., the ranking and/or appearance of the advertisements.

Abstract: Methods and computer-readable media are provided for defining user intent so that user intent can be determined and advertisements and other information can be provided to a user based on that user's intent. A topical expression is identified and is associated with attributes and actions. Actions indicate steps that can be performed to achieve a task associated with the topical expression. An intent structure is then generated. The intent structure illustrates a relationship between the identified topical expression and other topical expressions. User data may then be received and mapped to the intent structures to determine present and future user intent.

Abstract: Embodiments discussed herein relate to creating and managing competitive campaigns for advertisement spaces on a web page. Competitive campaigns may take several forms, including boosting bids for advertisements to try an match the competitor's advertisement bids in an online auction, dynamically replacing the entity's advertisement being shown, or out-and-out refusing to show an advertisement whenever the competitor's advertisement is also shown.

Abstract: Disclosed are an advertisement providing method and system. The advertisement providing method, including: defining a search intention for each keyword and a content type for each search intention; and providing, when a user inputs the keyword, an advertisement content list based on a search intention of the inputted keyword.

Abstract: An internet browser equipped in itself with a function to obtain and display video advertisement data along with an advertisement system that is connected to one or more advertisement data storing websites located on a communication network and the communication network itself, includes the user terminal equipped with the browser as described in embodiment 1, and displays to the user data obtained from the browser, according to the advertise management function. The browser is equipped with social functions, and is a system where the user can receive a reward for browsing advertisements.

Abstract: A method of providing targeted communications within a hyper-local domain from a first user to a second user, the method including receiving a communication from a first device, the first communication related to the hyper-local domain, receiving an input from a second device, comparing the input to the communication, and transmitting the communication to the second device, a third device, or combinations thereof, based on the comparing of the input to the communication.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are described for determining attributes identifying media items from other media items. A first video sequence of a first media item is received from a media source, the video sequence including one or more images having first banner information embedded therein. The attributes of the first media item are determined based on at least the first banner information extracted from the first video sequence. The determined attributes of the first media item can then be stored or otherwise processed as desired.

Abstract: Methods and systems for correlating connections between users and links between articles to identify search and/or ad spamming are disclosed. Social networks can be used to identify connections between users for correlation with links between articles, which can be identified through searches of article contents and/or back tracing accesses to articles. One disclosed method comprises identifying first associations between a plurality of users in a network of associated users; identifying second associations between one or more users and one or more articles; identifying third associations between at least some of the articles or between some of the users and access to some of the articles; and determining at least one of the third associations is correlated with one or more of the first associations.

Abstract: This patent application pertains to selecting advertisements for presentation with search results. One example includes receiving a user's search query. This example also includes selecting an advertisement that is relevant for presentation to the user with search results for the search query. The advertisement is selected from a set of advertisements by comparing a semantic context of individual advertisements to a semantic context of the user's search query.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for processing an auction for sponsored search according to a set of constraints. In accordance with one embodiment, a polyhedron that incorporates a set of one or more restrictions is defined, wherein the polyhedron that incorporates the set of one or more restrictions represents a plurality of allocations, wherein each of the plurality of allocations is a subset of a plurality of ads to be displayed on a particular occurrence of a search query received via a search engine. A subset of the plurality of allocations is obtained via application of an analysis tool to the polyhedron. One of the subset of the plurality of allocations is then identified, enabling the ads in the allocation to be displayed.

Abstract: A method and system for providing product information, which can retrieve an advertising shopping mall that has suggested a bidding price for an upper display area, and can sort product information of the retrieved advertising shopping mall according to a predetermined standard, and display the sorted product information in the upper display area and also can sort product information according to various types of standards, such as a popularity, a sales volume, and the like, and display the sorted product information in a remaining area excluding the upper display area, when sorting and displaying product information on a product search result page.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for use in searching a user's online world, across independently provided applications including Web-based and desktop applications, which can include Web sites. Techniques are provided in which information is collected and indexed relating to activities and communications of a user, and of other users in association with activities and communications of the user, across independent Web-based applications. A graphical user interface is provided to allow user searching in association with the collected and indexed information. Search results are provided using a graphical user interface that can include Web results, personal results, and desktop results.

Abstract: A software based system and method of displaying location based information from an information site on a network by determining location data of a user of the location based information on the network. The location based information is generated based on the determined location data of the user; and generated location based information is provided to the user over the network.

Abstract: Advertisements are selected for presentation on a search results page based on the presence or absence of user activity within the search results page. When a search results page is provided to an end user, the search results page is tracked for user activity. If user activity is detected, a user context is identified and new advertisements are selected for presentation on the search results page based on the user context. In some embodiments, the search results page provides search results in clusters, and the user context corresponds with a search result cluster selected by an end user. In some embodiments, dominant concepts in the user context are identified and used to select advertisements. Alternatively, if user activity is not detected within a predetermined period of time, new advertisements are selected based on the absence of user activity within the search results page.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically targeting Web-based advertisements is described. Advertisements are identified relative to a query, wherein identified advertisements describe characteristics relative to at least one of a product and a service. The advertisements are scored according to match between the query and the characteristics of the identified advertisements. At least some of the advertisements are provided as Web-based content.