TECHNIQUES FOR IMPROVING USER ENGAGEMENT WITH ADVERTISEMENTS

• US 20090024463A1
• Filed: 07/18/2007
• Published: 01/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: R2 Solutions LLC (Acacia Research Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Yahoo! Inc. (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Inventors: Szeto, Christopher T.
• Granted Patent: US 9,947,016 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.660
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are described for stimulating user engagement with advertising content. Presentation of an interface in a display for viewing by a user is facilitated. The interface includes a content window occupying a substantially fixed location in the interface. Presentation of a sequence of units of content in the content window, some of which are advertisements is facilitated. Various techniques are described to encourage user engagement and interaction with the content window.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for stimulating user engagement with advertising content, comprising:

facilitating presentation of an interface in a display for viewing by a user, the interface including a content window occupying a substantially fixed location in the interface; and

facilitating presentation of a sequence of units of content in the content window, first ones of the units of content comprising advertisements, and second ones of the units of content comprising non-commercial media characterized by a predetermined relevance to the user.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the interface further comprises at least one control with which the user may move backward and forward in the sequence.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising facilitating presentation of only the second units of content where the user attempts to move forward in the sequence beyond a most recently presented one of the first units of content.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising tracking user interaction with the sequence to measure the user engagement.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising facilitating sharing of a selected one of the units of content using a drag-and-drop operation.

6. The method of claim 7 wherein the interface comprises a messaging interface which includes a contacts list and a message window, and wherein the drag-and-drop operation effects sharing of the selected unit of content with one of a contact via the contacts list or a message recipient via the message window.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the non-commercial media comprise one or more of content postings, event notifications, or invitations.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined relevance to the user is determined with reference to one or more of a group of users related to the user, media to which the user subscribes, preferences of the user, or online behavior of the user.

9. A computing device configured to stimulate user engagement with advertising content, the computing device comprising a display and at least one processor configured to:

facilitate presentation of an interface in the display for viewing by a user, the interface including a content window occupying a substantially fixed location in the interface; and

facilitate presentation of a sequence of units of content in the content window, first ones of the units of content comprising advertisements, and second ones of the units of content comprising non-commercial media characterized by a predetermined relevance to the user.

10. A computer-implemented method for stimulating user engagement with advertising content, comprising:

facilitating presentation of an interface in a display for viewing by a user, the interface including a content window occupying a substantially fixed location in the interface; and

facilitating presentation of a sequence of units of content in the content window, first ones of the units of content comprising advertisements;

wherein the interface further comprises at least one control with which the user may move backward and forward in the sequence.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising inhibiting operation of the control where the user attempts to move forward in the sequence beyond a most recently presented one of the first units of content.

12. The method of claim 10 further comprising tracking user interaction with the sequence to measure the user engagement.

13. The method of claim 10 further comprising facilitating sharing of a selected one of the units of content using a drag-and-drop operation.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein second ones of the units of content comprise non-commercial media characterized by a predetermined relevance to the user, the non-commercial media comprising one or more of content postings, event notifications, or invitations.

15. A computing device configured to stimulate user engagement with advertising content, the computing device comprising a display and at least one processor configured to:

facilitate presentation of an interface in the display for viewing by a user, the interface including a content window occupying a substantially fixed location in the interface; and

facilitate presentation of a sequence of units of content in the content window, first ones of the units of content comprising advertisements;

wherein the interface further comprises at least one control with which the user may move backward and forward in the sequence.

16. A computer-implemented method for stimulating user engagement with advertising content, comprising:

facilitating presentation of an interface in a display for viewing by a user, the interface including a content window occupying a substantially fixed location in the interface;

facilitating presentation of a sequence of units of content in the content window, first ones of the units of content comprising advertisements; and

facilitating sharing of a selected one of the first units of content using a drag-and-drop operation.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the interface comprises a messaging interface which includes a contacts list and a message window, and wherein the drag-and-drop operation effects sharing of the selected unit of content with one of a contact via the contacts list or a message recipient via the message window.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the interface further comprises at least one control with which the user may move backward and forward in the sequence.

19. The method of claim 16 further comprising tracking user interaction with the sequence to measure the user engagement.

20. The method of claim 16 wherein second ones of the units of content comprise non-commercial media characterized by a predetermined relevance to the user, the non-commercial media comprising one or more of content postings, event notifications, or invitations.

21. (canceled)