Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for serving advertisements based on partial queries. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a request for advertisements that specifies a set of query suggestions. The query suggestions are ranked based, at least in part on a probability of each query suggestion being selected by a user that input the partial query. A proper subset of the query suggestions is selected and includes a highest ranked query suggestion based on the ranking and one or more query suggestions of the set of query suggestions that is at least one of a revision of the highest ranked query suggestion or refers to a same topic as the highest ranked query suggestion. One or more advertisements are identified for each query suggestion of the proper subset. Data specifying the identified advertisements are provided.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides for a computer system, including at least: a GUI client; a dedicated application server; where the dedicated application server is configured to operationally connect to the GUI client; where the dedicated application server is associated with a metadata item database, including metadata related to plurality of items; where the GUI client is configured to generate a GUI that includes: a video player area and a plurality of metadata areas that are configured to display, in real-time, streamed metadata items that are related to content of the video streamed by the video player at a particular playing time to form a metadata stream; initiate the streaming of the video; determine the plurality of streamed metadata items related to the content of the video; and causing to display at the plurality of metadata areas, via a visual pattern, the plurality of streamed metadata items.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus include computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium, including a method for providing content. A linking is provided of identifiers for users or devices known to a content delivery service. Each identifier is associated with the user or device in a specific context. The linking includes first and second identifiers. A request for content is received that includes either the first or second identifier. Bidders in an exchange are identified that have expressed an interest in bidding on a content delivery opportunity associated with the user or the device. For each bidder, a relative value is determined for a respective bidder for the opportunity to present content to the user or device in association with each identifier known to the bidder. For each bidder, a real-time bid request is generated in the exchange that includes the highest value identifier for submission to a respective bidder.

Abstract: Particular embodiments access a search query submitted by a first user of a social-networking system; identify one or more web pages in response to the search query; for each of the one or more web pages, determine a value indicating a number of user clicks associated with the web page by one or more second users of the social-networking system who are connected to the first user within the social-networking system; and send a set of hyperlinks for the one or more web pages, wherein hyperlinks for web pages where the value is greater than zero are visually emphasized over other hyperlinks.

Abstract: A system and method for the generation and presentation of candidate domain names are presented. The method includes receiving, by at least one server communicatively coupled to a network, a request to access or purchase access to a software application, the request being received from a user. Keywords associated with at least one of the user, a website of the user, and a business of the user are generated and a candidate domain name relevant to the keywords is generated. A user interface is displayed including the candidate domain name. The user interface enables the user to register the candidate domain name. A plurality of candidate domain names may be generated and organized into carousels or stacks according to a common theme. The candidate domain names may be displayed on a user interface and arranged thereon according to a relevance score of the domain name bundles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying a relative importance of words in a word cloud. A computer system identifies graphical features and locations for the words representing information in the word cloud based on a group of metrics for the information. The graphical features distinguish the words from each other based on a first number of first values for a first metric in the group of metrics. The locations of the words distinguish the words from each other based on a second number of second values for a second metric in the group of metrics. The word cloud is displayed on a display system using the graphical features and the locations for the words in the word cloud in graphical user interface, which enables identifying the relative importance of the words in the word cloud based on the group of metrics for the information represented by the words.

Abstract: An announcement distributor distributes, or auctions an opportunity to distribute, an announcement to an announcement recipient such as a consumer, issuer, merchant, or acquirer within a payment processing system. The announcement when there has been a satisfaction of an announcement condition, such as the consumer being determined to be located within a predetermined spatial zone. The content of the announcement may, in turn, facilitate a subsequent cashless transaction for resources of merchants. Implementations describe various permutations of the content of the announcement, the announcement condition, and the announcement recipient.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for providing programmatic bidding of advertisement inventory. In one embodiment, an advertising system includes an ad bidding component or module of an ad server and a storage medium coupled to the ad server. The storage medium stores instructions including instructions of the ad bidding component or module. Processing logic is configured to execute the instructions to receive a bid campaign function call for an ad campaign from an advertising entity, determine objectives for the advertising entity including life time value (LTV) for users and return on investment (ROI) for the ad campaign, determine targeted users having characteristics appropriate for satisfying the objectives of the advertising entity, and autonomously determine a dynamic ad bid price parameter and associated group of targeted users that satisfy the objectives of the advertising entity based on having characteristics that satisfy at least three different parameters.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for prioritizing advertisements for a location. The mechanism identifies one or more person at the location and identifies a set of advertisements associated with a set of products for the location. The mechanism determines a score for the one or more persons indicating their likelihood to promote or detract from each of the set of products. The mechanism prioritizes the advertisements in the set according to the aggregate scores of the one or more persons for the products of the advertisements. The mechanism identifies a target person at the location to which the advertisement is to be directed and wherein determining a score of the one or more persons excludes or weights the target person.

Abstract: A method and system for pricing advertisement placements online in a real-time bidding (RTB) environment is disclosed. According to one embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes receiving a plurality of responses from a plurality of real-time bidding (RTB) requests for an advertisement placement and determining a first data set from the plurality of responses, where the first data set includes prices paid for winning the advertisement placement. The computer-implemented method further includes determining a second data set from the plurality of responses, where the second data set includes losing bid prices, and estimating a price distribution curve based on one or more of the first data set and the second data set.

Abstract: User-applied, in-stream association of media content with a video content item is disclosed. During presentation of a video content item, a user selects or otherwise identifies a media content item to be associated with the video content item. The user further selects or otherwise identifies a temporal position (e.g., time value) within the video content item with which the media content item is to be associated. In one example, a user selects and drags the media content item to or toward the video content item within a GUI to define the association. In at least some implementations, the video content item may be presented via a different device than the media content item, thereby forming a multi-platform association.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for ranking query completions based on activity session data. One of the methods includes receiving a query prefix from a user. A reference parameter for the user is obtained. One or more likely queries that are likely to co-occur with the reference parameter in user activity sessions are identified, wherein each likely query has an associated prediction score. A ranking of the one or more likely queries is provided in response to receiving the query prefix.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining a bid modifier value include determining, for one or more sets of keywords used in a campaign, a predicted conversion rate for a first device type and a predicted conversion rate for a second device type. Predicted campaign-level conversion rates are determined for the first and second device types using the predicted conversion rates for the one or more sets of keywords used in the campaign. A ratio is also determined between the predicted campaign-level conversion rate for the first device type and the predicted campaign-level conversion rate for the second device type. The ratio may be used as a bid modifier value that relates bids for the first device type to bids for the second device type.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method and related network element including one or more of the following: receiving a plurality of advertisement messages via the communications network, each advertisement message of the plurality of advertisement messages including a set of meta-information which describes the content of an advertisement associated with the advertisement message; determining whether each advertisement message is relevant to the user by comparing the set of meta-information to a set of user preferences associated with the user, the set of user preferences stored locally on the user node; when an advertisement message is determined to not be relevant to the user, discarding the advertisement message; and when an advertisement message is determined to be relevant to the user, providing the user with access to the advertisement associated with the advertisement message.

Abstract: A method, system and server for customizing a broadcast media stream for delivery to a client associated with a user via a communication network. The broadcast media stream comprises a plurality of content segments, such as hosted segments, which are separated by a plurality of musical, informational or generic segments. During streaming the plurality of musical, informational or generic segments are modified based on one or more user preferences such that there content matches more closely the preferred content of the user.

Abstract: A calculating device selects an action and a corresponding state; acquires an evaluation value by evaluating the combination of the selected action and the selected state; identifies for each selected action, a lowest evaluation value among acquired evaluation values; determines the lowest evaluation value among evaluation values of all the states selected for each action as a minimax candidate, and determines, as a minimax, an evaluation value that is highest among the lowest evaluation values corresponding to the actions; each time an evaluation value is acquired for a combination of a state and an action after the minimax candidate is determined, compares the acquired evaluation value and the minimax candidate, and terminates selection of a state corresponding to the action when the evaluation value is lower than the minimax candidate and selects an unselected action from the action set; and outputs an action corresponding to the determined minimax.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for ranking query completions based on activity session data. One of the methods includes receiving a query prefix from a user. A reference parameter for the user is obtained. One or more likely queries that are likely to co-occur with the reference parameter in user activity sessions are identified, wherein each likely query has an associated prediction score. A ranking of the one or more likely queries is provided in response to receiving the query prefix.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter includes at least a method, system and a program storage device of estimating click through rate (CTR) of a pair of source and recommendation, the source comprising a plurality of slots, each slot configured to present a served recommendation. The CTR estimation is performed by first determining an estimated calibration CTR coefficient for each slot and then using this information for calculating an estimated CTR of a given slot when served with a given recommendation in a given source.

Abstract: A method, system and server for customizing a broadcast media stream for delivery to a client associated with a user via a communication network. The broadcast media stream comprises a plurality of content segments, such as hosted segments, which are separated by a plurality of musical, informational or generic segments. During streaming the plurality of musical, informational or generic segments are modified based on one or more user preferences such that there content matches more closely the preferred content of the user.

Abstract: Various aspects described herein are directed to different techniques for enabling ad server systems to dynamically determine minimum floor prices for individual incoming impressions, in which the determination of the minimum floor value for a given incoming impression may be based upon the value(s) of specifically identified impression parameters associated with that particular impression. Additional aspects are directed to various feedback techniques for measuring the effectiveness of the various Entity-based and/or Segment-based floors, and for dynamically adjusting various floor computation parameter values based on measured floor metrics and heuristics.

Abstract: A system reducing the number of default ads displayed by a user agent thereby maximizing revenue for webpage publishers. To maximize revenue, the system manages multiple ad networks so that webpage publishers can have access to advertisements from the multiple ad networks. Typically, when an ad network serves a default ad, the system queries the next ad network. If the next ad network serves a non-default ad, then the ad is served. Otherwise, the system selects another ad network until either a non-default ad is served or a specific period of time elapses or a maximum number of ad networks have been queried, in which case the default ad is served. Ad networks may be ranked by revenue generation and/or the probability of serving a default ad. Inquiries to ad networks may be biased according to such rankings.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for providing customized moderation of electronic content published via a media portal. The content management application can access a feed that includes multiple electronic content items. The content management application can determine, based on an approval descriptor associated with the feed, that additional content provided to the feed is provided by a publisher account that must be approved by a moderator account rather than an additional publisher account for which other additional content is automatically approved without requiring moderator approval. The content management application can require approval of the additional content by the moderator account. The moderator account has permission to moderate electronic content provided to the feed based on a moderator descriptor associated with the feed.

Abstract: This specification describes methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage device, for determining expansion directions of content item environments that are used to display expandable content items.

Abstract: A method and system for optimizing real-time bidding on online advertisement placements is disclosed. According to one embodiment, a computer-implemented method comprises receiving a real-time bidding (RTB) request from a RTB partner who is selling an impression on behalf of a publisher. Several probability scores are predetermined based on various criterion. During the processing of a real-time bid request, a combined probability score and threshold are calculated based on these probability scores. The decision to bid on and price to bid for the impression is determined by the RTB system. Campaign targets are based on the combined probability score. A RTB bid response indicating the selected campaign targets and the bid prices are returned to the RTB partner.

Abstract: A system to facilitate computer-based commerce includes receiving information relating to an item to be transacted via a computer-based commerce system from a first party. Criterion information specifying at least one criterion to be satisfied by a second party in order for the second party to be qualified to transact for the item via the computer-based commerce system is received from the first party. An automatic determination is made as to whether the second party satisfies the at least one criterion and if so, then the second party is automatically qualified to transact for the item via the computer-based commerce system.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided that can include value-based quasi-proportional allocation of combinations of online content items, such as online advertisements, for potential serving on Web pages. Combinations may be assembled and valued. A highest valued or otherwise qualified subset of combinations may be identified for serving. Combinations of the highest valued subset may be allocated for serving, and served, in accordance with a value-based quasi-proportional allocation scheme.

Abstract: An auction for ad inventory to be placed in streaming video content is characterized by a floor (minimum) price. A seller component receives, via a real time auction exchange system, a request for a set of ad impressions meeting specified criteria to be delivered by an online video streaming system, sometimes referred to as an “auction lot”. The seller component determines a floor price based on an inventory pressure calculated for the auction lot in response to receiving the request. The seller component determines the inventory pressure based on an inventory pressure determined for an inventory segment identified by the auction lot. The auction lot may then be entered into a bidding process including at least one bidder wherein bids less than the floor price are not accepted.

Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, advertising exchange system, and computer program product for acquiring advertisement impressions through an advertisement auction. A first maximum bid price to acquire an impression is defined. An entity set of one or more entities is identified. A second maximum bid price (that is higher than the first maximum price) to acquire the impression is defined. The first max bid price is used to bid for the impression during the advertisement auction. If the auction is being lost to the entity set, the bidding continues using the second maximum bid price.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms described herein facilitate the performance metric based placement of bids. According to various embodiments, a first threshold value for bid placement may be identified. The first threshold value may designate a first threshold performance metric level for advertising opportunity bid requests received during a designated time period. An estimated performance metric may be determined for a designated advertising opportunity bid request received during the designated time period. A bid placement message may be transmitted via a communications interface when the estimated performance metric is greater than the first threshold value. The bid request may identify the designated advertising opportunity bid request and a bid placement value.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms described herein facilitate the dynamic selection of bid price. According to various embodiments, a base bid price may be determined for an advertising opportunity bid request received at a communications interface during a designated time period. A designated bid price may be for the advertising opportunity bid request. The designated bid price may be determined at least in part by applying a bid multiplier value to the base bid price. The bid multiplier value may reflect a target pacing rate associated with the designated time period. A bid placement message may be transmitted via the communications interface. The bid placement message may identify the advertising opportunity bid request and the designated bid price.

Abstract: The invention relates to a targeting technique for controlling the provisioning of content items, for example advertisements, to users in a mobile communications network (100). A method embodiment of the technique is performed in a provisioning server (114) in the mobile communications network and comprises the steps of receiving an indication of a content item which has been selected by a first user via a first mobile terminal (126); retrieving, from a user-related database, contact information associated with the first user, wherein the contact information indicates at least one second user (128); determining a location of a second mobile terminal of the second user; and selectively initiating, if an intended presentation area for the selected content item covers the location of the second mobile terminal, a presentation of the selected content item to the second mobile terminal (128).

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that manages online advertising. During operation, the system identifies a user segment for targeting using an online advertisement slot. Next, the system obtains a distribution associated with winning bids for online advertisements shown to the user segment in the online advertisement slot. Finally, the system uses one or more points from the distribution as bid suggestions for advertising campaigns associated with the user segment.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that manages online advertising. During operation, the system calculates an intrinsic value of an online advertisement slot from at least one of a user engagement value and a cannibalization value. Next, the system obtains a reserve price for the online advertisement slot from at least one of the intrinsic value and an advertiser value. Finally, the system uses the reserve price to manage serving of online advertisements from a set of advertising campaigns in the online advertisement slot.

Abstract: A future decisioning module receives, from a user agent, a call requesting a creative for a first slot of the plurality of slots in a template. The future decisioning module generates bid requests for each of the plurality of slots and receives, from one or more bidders, responses to the bid requests, the responses comprising prices for the plurality of slots. The future decisioning module performs a yield optimization based on the responses to the bid requests to determine creatives for each of the plurality of slots that will optimize a payout (or value) for the template and serves, to the user agent, the determined creatives for each of the plurality of slots.

Abstract: The instant application discloses, among other things, a social media marketing auction. According to one embodiment, it may comprise an online auction site or mobile application wherein businesses can bid on offers by social media users to promote certain types of products or services. Users may also be able to utilize a filtered search feature and to sort results based on factors such as a seller's number of followers, interests, age, and geographic location, for example.

Abstract: A system and method for generating real-time bids based on a user intent. The system comprises: receiving at least one variable from a user device; determining a user intent of a user of the user device at least based on the at least one variable; selecting a plurality of resources of information respective of the user intent; generating, in real-time, an opening bid to purchase at least one display segment on a display of the user device at least based on the user intent; and sending the opening bid to a plurality of operators of the plurality of resources of information.

Abstract: The invention includes a method and apparatus for facilitating cross-media use of object codes and object code readers, such as RFID tags and readers, barcode codes and readers, and the like. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving an object code read request from a user device where the object code read request indicates that an object has been read using an object code reader, determining at least one of a provider of the object code read using the object code reader and a provider of the object code reader used to read the object code, and performing at least one operation in response to the object code read response. The at least one operation performed in response to the object code read response may include one or more of determining an object code read response and determining revenue sharing. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving and storing registration information adapted for use in responding to object code read requests.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for managing keyword bidding prices are disclosed. An example system embodiment includes an automatic keyword bidding module, operably coupled with a processor and a memory, operable to determine a revenue per click value associated with a keyword, obtain bidding information associated with the keyword, obtain automatic bid controls associated with the keyword, and automatically generate a bid value for the keyword based on the revenue per click value, the bidding information, and the automatic bid controls.

Abstract: A method and system conduct an auction for advertising across multiple markets. A first market conducts a first auction for a first advertising impression. A first bid is selected as the auction winner and a ratio is computed as the first bid plus a spread to the second highest bid. The price to be paid is the lower of the first bid or the first bid multiplied by the ratio. The first bid, second bid, and spread are transmitted to a second market for a second advertising impression auction. The second market respects the rules of the first market's auction where such that if the first bid is selected as the winner, a ratio is computed as the first bid plus the spread to the next highest bid. The price to be paid for the second impression is the first bid multiplied by the new ratio.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to advertising, and more particularly to cooperative offering methods and systems. In one embodiment, a cooperative offer generating system is disclosed, comprising: a processor; and a memory storing processor-executable instructions comprising instructions for: obtaining one or more parameters; identifying an item related to the one or more parameters; determining a plurality of offerors corresponding to the item; obtaining cooperative offer parameters for the offerors; generating a cooperative offer related to the item, including: determining a cooperative offer value, and determining a cooperative offer value share for at least one of the offerors; and providing the generated cooperative offer. In some embodiments, the cooperative offer is an online advertisement bid to advertise the item.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method of gathering and analyzing data from device operators aiming their image capture devices and thereby creating a line of sight to an object of interest, for example through the process of obtaining photographs, videos or other digital images of an event or geographical location, where the real-time or embedded location, compass heading, and time data from each of a plurality of image providers are communicated from the plurality of image-capture devices to one or more servers for statistical analysis of the proportionate amount of providers focusing on each image target or sub-target at the event or location.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and a recording medium for presenting auction information to users who have a strong desire to purchase an item at an appropriate point in time. An information processing server specifies an advertising target auction in which at least one the item name and the item code of a specific item exhibited on an auction is identical, and in which an immediate successful bid is possible at a bid price which has been bid for the auction of the specific item, when a bidder who tries to bid for the auction of the specific item via a web page for receiving bids for an auction is a bidder who has lost the right to win the specific item due to a bid of another bidder, and presents the information on the specified advertising target auction, to bidders who try to bid for the auction of the specific item.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium, for providing a method that includes receiving an indication from a user to promote an item that is included in an activity stream associated with the user, the activity stream being presented in a social context by a social application; receiving a request for an advertisement; determining the item is responsive to the request; determining one or more advertisements responsive to the request; ranking the item and the one or more advertisements; and providing the item in response to the request rather than the one or more advertisements and based at least in part on the rankings.

Abstract: A purchase-transaction-settled online consumer referral and reward system and method using real-time specific merchant sales information is provided for the advertising publishing industry. The system provides a pay per transaction platform that allows advertising publishers to monetize interactive and/or broadcast media advertising by tracking and linking ad acceptance events to consummated consumer purchases.

Abstract: A system and method for combining past user events with real-time user events to respond to advertising opportunities is disclosed. According to one embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes receiving a first plurality of user events that occurred within a first prior time period, receiving a second plurality of user events that has occurred within seconds of real-time, and providing a plurality of desirable user events for consideration of a real-time bidding request based on processing the first plurality of user events and the second plurality of user events.

Abstract: A method for managing bids for online content item for display to a consumer based on merchant inventory levels. The method includes receiving a plurality of bidding levels associated with a merchant's product. Each bidding level includes an inventory level and a bid price. The method also includes receiving, by the computing device, a first inventory value associated with the product. The first inventory value represents the quantity of the product that the merchant has in inventory. The method further includes identifying a current bidding level from the plurality of bidding levels based at least in part on comparing the first inventory value to the plurality of bidding levels, the current bidding level including a current bid price. The method also includes selling an online content space to the merchant at the identified current bid price. The online content space is for displaying the online content item to the consumer.

Abstract: A computer network implemented method and a computer system is provided that improves the effectiveness of buying and selling of online or mobile advertising units. A planning utility is provided for improving the effectiveness of buys of online or mobile media properties, the planning utility including a media buying dashboard. An analyzer is provided, which is part of or linked to the planning utility, which when executed analyzes a series of attributes for each media property, including the one or more qualitative attributes, and receives information regarding the marketing objectives of a buyer, and generates advertising buying recommendations or suggestions, and present these buying recommendations or suggestions to the buyer. The method and system can use static or dynamic information for rating different publishers and their media properties to improve advertising unit buying/selling.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter can provide a mechanism that facilitates market segmentation among search engines. A segmentation mechanism is provided that displays a plurality of search engines that can be employed in connection with a plurality of search types. Thus, an Internet search query can be analyzed, e.g., by keywords to determine a type of search being performed, and subsequently directed to the search engine selected for that type rather than all search queries going to a single search engine. The routing of a query can be based upon a user's choices, which takes advantage of the fact that some search engines perform better than others based upon the type of search. The segmentation mechanism can be built into, e.g., an operating system, a browser and the like, and can be easily configured.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for controlling the display of digital content to users over an electronic network, such as the Internet. In accordance with one implementation, a computer-implemented method is provided that includes receiving at least one partition and at least one associated candidate promotion and receiving control data and previous engagement data associated with the at least one partition. The method further comprises, for each partition, generating an adjusted model of the control data over a first time period, generating a bid price control adjustment value and a bid price value associated with an earlier time period, and generating a bid uncertainty control adjustment value and a bid uncertainty value associated with an earlier time period.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for presenting content based on information detected in real time includes: receiving first information corresponding to detection of at least attendance at a physical location; selecting, in real time with the detection, at least one winning bid based on the first information, the at least one winning bid conditioned on the first information meeting an attendance criterion; and providing at least one winning content item associated with the selected winning bid to a content presentation device at the physical location.