Abstract: The compatibility score of members of a social network is based on the compatibility of their expressed interests. The compatibility score between any two interests is calculated as the log of the estimated probability that a member of the social network will express both interests divided by the product of: (i) the estimated probability that a member of the social network will express the first of the two interests and (ii) the estimated probability that a member of the social network will express the second of the two interests. The compatibility score between two individuals is calculated as the sum of the compatibility scores between each interest appearing in a set of interests expressed by the first of the two individuals and each interest appearing in a set of interests expressed by the second of the two individuals.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for evaluating image similarity. In one aspect, a method includes receiving, by a data processing apparatus, image search data for different search sessions, a search session being a pre-specified period, the image search data for a search session including: search query data specifying search queries that were received during the search session; responsive image data specifying images that were identified in response to the search queries; and interaction data specifying images referenced by search results with which a user interacted. Sets of learning images are identified based on the image search data. The sets of learning images include co-selected images for the search sessions. A query-dependent image profile for a particular image is determined based in part on the co-selected images that were identified in response to the particular query.

Abstract: A system for recommending feeds for a user comprises a client with a web browser, an application server, and a content server. The browser tracks the user's browsing activity and transmits user data related to the user's browsing activity to the application server. The application server searches the content server to determine feeds that may be relevant to the user's browsing activity and then communicates those feeds to the browser. The browser displays the received feeds to the user as feed recommendations, prompting the user to select from among the recommended feeds. Once the user has selected one or more feeds, the browser transmits the user's selection to the application server, which enables the feeds to be presented subsequently to the user. In this way, the system uses the user's browsing activity to obtain automatically for a user feeds that are likely to be relevant to the user.

Abstract: A system may receive a request for comments associated with a particular document, identify a comment associated with the particular document, generate an objective score for the comment that is independent of a user associated with the request, identify the user associated with the request, generate a subjective score for the comment based on parameters associated with the identified user, generate a combined score for the comment by combining the objective score and the subjective score, and provide the comment, ranked based on the combined score, to the user for presentation with the particular document.

Abstract: In order to provide filtering of content to be presented on a mobile device, a gesture-based preferencing system and method may be employed. When content is presented to a user, the user may indicate a positive or negative preference toward that content by making a gesture. The gesture may be detected by a motion sensor and the preference of the content indicated by the gesture may be stored in a preference datastore. The preference may be used to subsequently filter content that is to be presented to the user.

Abstract: A method performed by one or more processing devices includes obtaining search results responsive to a search query submitted by a user; determining a maturity score for the user, where the maturity score represents a measure of development of a particular user attribute; determining, based on the maturity score, utility scores for the search results, where a utility score represents a measure of utility of a particular type of content to a particular type of user as defined by the measure of development of the particular user attribute; and adjusting rankings of the search results based on the utility scores.

Abstract: Methods and systems for improving user search experience with a search engine by providing a way for associated users to create and share personalized lists of article identifiers through endorsements of articles. Search endorsements can be used to personalize the search engine's ranking of articles by offering a way for users to re-rank the article identifiers for themselves and for those who trust them.

Abstract: A cloud computing platform includes first device having a graph or tree structure with a node which receives data. The data is processed by the node or communicated to a child node for processing. A first node in the graph or tree structure determines the reconfiguration of a portion of the graph or tree structure on a second device. The reconfiguration may include moving a second node and some or all of its descendant nodes. The second and descendant nodes may be copied to the second device.

Abstract: This document describes, among other things, systems and methods for generating advertising campaigns or listings utilizing catalog information. A method comprises receiving, by an online publication system, a product catalog; accessing, by the online publication system, a merchant profile; and using the product catalog and the merchant profile to develop advertising data, wherein the advertising data includes at least one of an advertising campaign, a marketplace listing, or a store listing.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium and a method for automatically providing support solutions in response to user feedback items. The method comprises receiving user feedback items and corresponding support solutions. The method further comprises identifying, using clustering techniques, associations between the user feedback items and the corresponding support solutions. The method further comprises storing the identified associations as an items-solutions model that correlates the user feedback items with the corresponding support solutions. The method further comprises receiving a new user feedback item. The method further comprises automatically determining, using the items-solutions model, at least one support solution that corresponds to the new user feedback item. The method further comprises providing the at least one support solution in response to the received new user feedback item.

Abstract: A method of prioritizing feed items based on rules is provided. User input establishes one or more rules to prioritize a feed item, wherein at least one of the one or more rules incorporates the input data. Such user input may include user-created data or feed metrics. The one or more rules may be weighted. Additional user input configures one or more message cues. A plurality of feed items are prioritized based on the one or more rules. The plurality of feed items are associated with a plurality of feeds, wherein each feed is associated with an object stored in a database system. The plurality of feed items are then displayed in combination with the one or more message cues to a plurality of users of the database system.

Abstract: Selecting and providing context information relevant to a user at a particular time and location. Input parameters such as a location and time are selected. Context information is obtained for the selected location and time based on the input parameters. Exemplary input parameters include a user activity history, user content such as calendar appointments, social networking data, and a state of a computing device of the user (e.g., as collected by sensors of the computing device). The computing device of the user presents the obtained context information to the user at the selected location and time.

Abstract: A podcast parsing application is disclosed which may provide podcast content of interest to a user. The podcast parsing application may generate a compilation of podcast content from a plurality of podcasts. When playing a podcast to a user, the podcast parsing application may identify portions of podcast content and provide only those portions of the podcast determined to be of interest to the user. Information derived from user input, metadata tags, viewing histories, popularity data, search results, audio processing techniques or other information sources may be used by the podcast parsing application to distinguish, identify or otherwise provide podcast content of interest to the user.

Abstract: Systems, techniques, and machine-readable instructions for inferring attributes from search queries. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a description of a collection of search queries, inferring attributes of entities from the description of the collection of search queries, associating the inferred attributes with identifiers of entities characterized by the attributes, and making the associations of the attributes and entities available.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for providing visual classification suggestions for inclusion-based concept clusters are provided. Reference concepts each associated with a classification code are designated. One or more of the reference concepts are grouped with a plurality of uncoded concepts into a grouped concept set. Clusters are generated, each including a portion of the uncoded concepts and the reference concepts of the grouped concept set. A visual suggestion for assigning one of the classification codes to one of the clusters including visually representing each of the reference concepts in that cluster is provided.

Abstract: A web page has a player for playing media objects, a sequencer which displays a playlist that defines an order in which media objects are played by the player, and a media access area for containing a plurality of graphical icons. Each graphical icon representing a media object, and the graphical icons can be manipulated by a user to modify the play list. For example, the media icons may be dragged to the sequencer to add them to the sequencer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for processing queries initiated by users of mobile devices includes receiving an incoming message containing a query initiated by a user of a mobile device, and extracting the query from the received message. The message further includes obtaining a result of the query and creating an outgoing message with the result of the query for delivery to the mobile device.

Abstract: A method and system for matching users of a network, such as a language learning network, employs user profile data to determine point match scores and/or compatibility match scores between users of the network such as a social network. A point match score is a measure of strength for a single interest that two users share. A compatibility match score is an aggregate measure of similarity of multiple interests that two users share. When a first user asks the system to propose another user or users for interaction, the system uses the point match scores, compatibility match scores, or both to determine which additional users to recommend to the first user. The system may present the first user with a profile for each recommended user. The first user may select one of the recommended users and engage in interaction, such as language skills learning or practice, with that user via a text, audio and/or video interface.

Abstract: A methods, an apparatus, a computer-readable medium, and a system for integrating data from a plurality of devices. The first data is received from a first device and the second data is received from a second device, which is a different type of device than the first device. Type of data is determined and additional data is generated based on the determined type of data received from these different devices. The additional data includes searchable metadata and/or one or more triggers based on a combination of the first and second received data. Accordingly, searchable metadata for recordings and metric values from various devices used in a session are generated. Additionally, annotations may be provided to emphasize the occurrence of triggering events.

Abstract: In particular embodiments, a method includes receiving an unstructured text query, identifying nodes and edges from a social graph that correspond to n-grams in the text query, and then generating structured queries that include references to the identified nodes and edges.

Abstract: Particular embodiments receive, at a first computing device associated with a social-networking system and from a second computing device associated with a third-party system, a query comprising a first identifier corresponding to a user of the third-party system, wherein the first identifier is computed by applying a hash algorithm to a user credential associated with the user of the third-party system; determine, by the first computing device, whether the user of the third-party system matches any member of the social-networking system; and if the second identifier corresponding to a member of the social-networking system matches the first identifier, then send, by the first computing device to the second computing device, social-network information of the member of the social-networking system in response to the query.

Abstract: Systems and methods in which a ranking engine, for example such an engine as is communicatively coupled to a search engine or social networking system, or is part of such a system, ranks social offerings for eventual display to a user, said social offerings being ranked according to eigenvalues of matrices associated with a social graph G of the user and the user's friends and other connections. In some instances, the social offerings may be divided into categories and ranks for the social offerings computed for each of the categories based on activities and communications of the user with friends and other connections for each category. The eigenvalues are used for ranking the social offerings based on actions of the user's friends and other connections with respect to the social offerings.

Abstract: Personalized navigation for one or more individuals' use of a search engine is provided. Identification of a query submitted to the search engine is performed. If the query is identified to be a personal navigational query, which is a query via which the individuals intend to navigate to a particular site or information object that they have previously viewed, the particular site or information object associated with the query is identified, and results of the search are personalized based on knowledge of the identified site or information object.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for using a classifier for processing a query are disclosed. For example, the method receives a query from a user, and processes the query to locate one or more documents in accordance with a search engine having a discriminative classifier, wherein the discriminative classifier is trained with a plurality of artificial query examples. The method then presents a result of the processing to the user.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing mashup services searches a database for a mashup service corresponding to a request for a mashup service when the request is received from a user device, generates a mashup service optimized for the user device using a service block capable of executing a workflow corresponding to the mashup service and the runtime library of the user device if, as a result of the search, a mashup service corresponding to the request is not stored in the database, and provides the generated mashup service to the user device.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-executable instructions described herein generally relate to increasing user productivity in reviewing query results by surfacing a set of documents ranked by their relative value calculated as a tabulation of how often they are cited for a specific purpose. A database management system can access an index of metadata corresponding to a set of content items in a corpus/corpora of electronically stored content. A sub-system is configured to receive a query request entered by a user in said interactive GUI.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide ranking methods and systems. The ranking method can be implemented by a computer system. In an exemplary method, real-time data can be obtained. A total user number of the real-time data can be counted. A distribution pattern of user number in one or more data value intervals can be obtained from the real-time data. The total user number and the distribution pattern can then be stored as intermediate data. A ranking query request of a user and an actual data value of the user can be received. A ranking of the user can be calculated according to the actual data value of the user and the intermediate data.

Abstract: A recommender system for recommending items to a user based on geo-Tagged information related to him, in which items associated with a GeoTag are stored in a database. Feedback regarding the various items is obtained from the user and the provided rating of items is propagated to closely located items based on their associated GeoTags. A user-to-user similarity matrix is calculated and a predicted score is assigned for each user and item, using a recommendation server. All the items in the catalog of items are sorted according to their predicted scores as calculated for the user, and all items that have been already rated by the user are filtered out. Then, items from the catalog of items are presented to the user, according to their scores.

Abstract: Computer systems and methods incorporate user annotations (metadata) regarding various pages or sites, including annotations by a querying user and by members of a trust network defined for the querying user into search and browsing of a corpus such as the World Wide Web. A trust network is defined for each user, and annotations by any member of a first user's trust network are made visible to the first user during search and/or browsing of the corpus. Users can also limit searches to content annotated by members of their trust networks or by members of a community selected by the user.

Abstract: A system customizes a news document associated with a user of a news aggregation service. The system includes multiple news source servers that store news content and a remote news aggregation server. The news aggregation server creates a customized news document based on one or more personalized search queries received from a user. The news aggregation server fetches the news content from the multiple news source servers, aggregates the news content, and searches the aggregated news content based on the one or more personalized search queries. The news aggregation server provides selected news content to the customized news document based on results of the search.

Abstract: Apparatus for syndicated data stream content provisioning, the apparatus comprising: an interaction tracker, configured to track at least one interaction of a user with at least one content object of a respective one of a group consisting of at least one syndicated data stream received on a computer device, the interaction being implicitly indicative of a preference of the user, a ranking function calculator, in communication with the interaction tracker, configured to calculate a ranking function based on the tracked interaction, and a content ranker, in communication with the ranking function calculator, configured to rank a plurality of content objects of the syndicated data streams of the group, in an order based on the calculated ranking function.

Abstract: A user interface content personalization system is described. An apparatus may comprise a content personalization application operative on a processor circuit to present personalized content on a user interface. The content personalization application may comprise a content descriptor component operative to associate content with one or more content descriptors; a content search component operative to present search results on a user interface, the search results being selected from the content based on one or more search terms; a descriptor selection component operative to receive, by the transceiver, a descriptor selection enabled by a graphical user interface element accessible from the user interface; and a search results personalization component operative to generate personalized search results based on the descriptor selection, the search results personalization component to provide personalized search results on the user interface without re-entry of the one or more search terms.

Abstract: One embodiment involves a method and apparatus for mapping lexical keywords into entity description semantics in order to create unambiguous buyer-confirmed descriptions of entities. The method described herein relies on a computer program and some mechanism for computer data storage.

Abstract: A method and system of optimizing a ranked list (5) of recommended items that is based in a multidimensional data set (2) comprising context-aware information about the of a plurality of users and a plurality of items. A mathematical recommendation model (3) is trained with the multidimensional data set (2) by applying a smooth objective function that allows the use of fast optimising algorithm and that quantifies the relevance of the ranked lists provided by an optimization algorithm.

Abstract: A conditional recommendation system and methods are presented. The conditional recommendation engine (embodied as a system, a method, or computer-readable media) provides recommendations of entities to a computer user based on a conditioned user profile for the computer user. The conditioned user profile identifies user preferences in regard to dynamic, changeable conditional factors. These factors may include the time of day that a request was made, the day of week, the month of the year, the season, whether it is a holiday and which holiday, and the like.

Abstract: In this invention, systems and methods for providing keywords for advertising are provided. After a user searches for another user in a social network, the webpage or blog of the queried user is retrieved, and keywords are extracted from this webpage. The keywords may be extracted from the user's profile on the social network (e.g., favorite sports, music artists, etc.), or keywords may be extracted from the text of the webpage (e.g., comments that comprise the blog entries). Once extracted, these keywords may then be used by an advertising system to provide targeted advertisements to the user.

Abstract: Search results may include both objective results and person results. In one example, a search query is evaluated to determine whether it is the type of query that a user might want to ask to a friend. If the query is of such a type, then the search engine may examine a social graph to determine which friends of the user who entered the query may have information that is relevant to answering the query. If such friends exist, then the friends may be displayed along with objective search results, along with an explanation of each friend's relevance to the query. Clicking on a person in the results may cause a conversation to be initiated with that person, thereby allowing the user who entered the query to ask his or her friend about the subject of the query.

Abstract: A system determines a user's past search result selection activity. The system adjusts the ranking of current search results provided to the user based on the user's past search result selection activity.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to methods of presenting personalized search results pages to users, and to search engine systems and servers configured to implement such methods. For example, a method of presenting such a page to a user of a search engine includes steps of computing an engagement index of the user based on the distribution in time of that user's interactions with the search engine then presenting, in response to a query by the user, a personalized search results page to the user.

Abstract: A server is configured to receive, from a client, a query and context information associated with a document; obtain search results, based on the query, that identify documents relevant to the query; analyze the context information to identify content; generate first scores for a hierarchy of topics, that correspond to measures of relevance of the topics to the content; select a topic that is most relevant to the context information when the topic is associated with a greatest first score; generate second scores for the search results that correspond to measures of relevance, of the search results, to the topic; select one or more of the search results as being most relevant to the topic when the search results are associated with one or more greatest second scores; generate a search result document that includes the selected search results; and send, to a client, the search result document.

Abstract: A user can refine a search over structured data by specifying that a label or an attribute value be used to further filter the results of a query.

Abstract: The invention provides an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program that can improve convenience of a user and facilitate participation of a user, with respect to an existing group having members (users).

Abstract: A method of extending a user profile. A user specific data related to an application is received and stored for integration with a user profile. A template for the application is received and stored. The template tailors the user specific data based on aesthetic preferences of the user to generate a tailored user specific data. The user profile is extended based on the user specific data for the application and the template for the application. The user profile comprising the tailored user specific data may be provided for rendering. Local information, e.g., geographical location, of the user may be determined to tailor the user profile based on the local information. The user specific data and/or the template may be in a markup language format. Update to the user specific data and/or template may be pushed when available.

Abstract: Mechanisms are provided to permit a first person (e.g., Tom) to be in a communication session (e.g., a chat session) with a second person (e.g., George) and to select a contact's name (e.g., Harry), and immediately set up another communication (e.g., a chat session) with the selected contact (e.g., Harry). Since there may be multiple contacts having the same name as the selected contact, e.g., “Harry”, mechanisms are provided to communicate with a desired person (e.g., “Harry Smith” and not “Harry Jones”). The mechanisms may make such a determination based on “Harry Smith” being the more likely person that Tom, the first person, desires to communicate with (e.g., based on a context of Tom and/or Harry Smith).

Abstract: A recommendations system is provided in various embodiments for selecting items to recommend to a user. The system includes a recommendation engine with a plurality of recommenders, and each recommender identifies a different type of reason for recommending items. In one embodiment, each recommender retrieves item preference data and generates candidate recommendations responsive to a subset of that data. The recommenders also score the candidate recommendations. In certain embodiments, a normalization engine normalizes the scores of the candidate recommendations provided by each recommender. A candidate selector selects at least a portion of the candidate recommendations based on the normalized scores to provide as recommendations to the user. The candidate selector also outputs the recommendations with associated reasons for recommending the items.

Abstract: Posts are ranked for display on a page in a social network environment based on interaction and user score signals associated with the post and a viewing user. The signals for each of the posts are scored, and a ranking score for each post is determined. The posts are ranked in an order for display based on the ranking score and displayed for the viewing user on the page. Posts submitted by other users who have established connections with the viewing user are also filtered for display in a social box on the page.

Abstract: A user-customized card includes a tailored intergenerational historic snapshot message which informs a younger person about the world an older person lived in when they were young. The older person's age and the younger person's age may be used to identify a historic time period in which the older person was the same age as the younger person. A circumstance which occurred in the historic time period may be selected from a database or web search result. The message may be tailored to the ages of the people involved. The message may also be tailored to recite circumstances specific to a topic area or a geographic location. The message may be used in the text generally, and in photo captions specifically, for example. The card may be a greeting card, birthday card, gift card, or other card. Items other than cards may also be customized with such a message.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards providing a list of potential friends to a user based on an analysis of friends' contact lists. The user may provide a subset of friends within a contact list for analysis, along with a degree of separation over which to perform the analysis, and/or a minimum threshold number of occurrences for identifying a candidate friend. The subset of friends' contact lists may then be recursively traversed and merged, where common friends may be identified as members of a candidate set for suggesting friends to the user. In one embodiment, the candidate members may be retained within the candidate set if there is a commonality between the friends and the candidate that exceeds the minimum threshold. The candidate list may also be rank order using various approaches, including a weighted energy diffusion model based in part on a number of communications between the candidates.

Abstract: A method of providing a media recommendation is provided. The method includes receiving user provided information at a first device from a second device. The user provided information includes user preference information and user device information. The received user provided information is stored at a device accessible by the first device. Media information provided by a plurality of devices is monitored. The plurality of devices are accessible by the first device. A media recommendation is generated based on the received user provided information and the media information. If the user provided information includes an automatic download authorization, a media file associated with the generated media recommendation is downloaded to the first device from a content provider device. The downloaded media file is sent from the first device to the second device.

Abstract: A computer implemented process for generating customized, user-specific programming for delivery over a network, each programming unit comprising one or more media items, such as song tracks, and at least one promotional media item, such as a commercial advertisement. The media items are selected in response to implicit user taste data, and promotional media items or ads are selected where a media item associated with the promotional media item matches at least one media data item identified as responsive to the user taste data. The media items and the promotional media items are selected so as to constrain the promotional program unit to incur a net cost of no more that a selected maximum cost, wherein the net cost is determined as a sum of the licensing costs of the selected media items, reduced by a sum of the expected revenues generated by the selected promotional media items.