REFERRAL PLATFORM

• US 20090234730A1
• Filed: 03/14/2008
• Published: 09/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: LEE, WAIKI
• Granted Patent: US 9,607,307 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.730
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0214 Referral reward systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement

Abstract

Methods and computer storage media for creating referral links are provided. Receiving an advertiser'"'"'s registration of a target page that offers goods or services for sale. Receiving a request for a referral link that is directed to the target page, wherein the referrer of the referral link requests the referral link from the target page. A referral link is then created and presented to the referrer. In some embodiment, an indication that the referral link has been utilized is received. And upon receiving an indication that the referral link was utilized, a reward unit is determined and presented to the referrer.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for creating a referral link, comprising:

receiving a registration from an advertiser, wherein the registration includes at least one target page for items and/or services that may be purchased;

receiving a request for a referral link from a referrer, wherein the referrer requested the referral link from one of the at least one target pages of the advertiser;

creating a referral link that is directed to the one of the at least one target page, the referral link comprising a unique identifier of the referrer; and

presenting the referral link to the referrer.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving an indication of the utilization of the referral link.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising creating a reward unit.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising presenting the reward unit to the referrer.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising generating instruction for the at least one target page that allow for a referral to be requested from the at least one target page.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving the unique identifier for the referrer.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the unique identifier is an electronic-mail address of the referrer.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the referral link is further comprised of an address for the one of the at least one target pages and the unique identifier, wherein the unique identifier associates the referrer to the referral link.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting includes electronic-mailing the referral link to the referrer.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the target page includes an item for purchase.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the utilization of the referral link occurs when the item for purchase is purchased.

12. The method of claim 3, wherein the reward unit is a non-monetary credit.

13. The method of claim 4, wherein presenting the reward unit includes at least one of electronic-mailing the reward unit, displaying the reward unit on a display device, and crediting an account of the referrer.

14. One or more computer readable media having computer-usable instructions stored thereon for performing a method for creating a referral link, the method comprising:

receiving a request for a referral link;

determining a target page from which the referral link was requested;

determining a referrer'"'"'s identity;

if the referrer'"'"'s identity is not determinable, requesting the referrer'"'"'s identity;

storing the association of the referrer'"'"'s identity and the target page;

generating a referral link that is comprised of a unique identifier associated with the referrer'"'"'s identity and the target page location; and

presenting the referral link to the referrer.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising receiving an indication of the utilization of the referral link.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising determining, based on the referral link, the identity of the referrer.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising determining a reward unit for the utilization of the referral link.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising presenting the reward unit to the referrer.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the identity of the referrer is an electronic-mail address of the referrer.

20. One or more computer readable media having computer-usable instructions stored thereon for performing a method for creating a referral link, the method comprising:

receiving a request for a referral link from a referrer, wherein the referral link is directed to a target page for one or more items and/or services that may be purchased;

determining the target page to which the referral link is directed;

determining an identifier of the referrer;

creating a referral link, wherein the referral link is comprised of a unique identifier that is associated with the identifier of the referrer and the location of the target page;

presenting the referral link to the referrer;

receiving an indication that the referral link was utilized to purchase at least one of the one or more items that may be purchased from the target page;

determining a reward unit based on, at least one of the target page, the referral link, and the identifier of the referrer; and

presenting the reward unit.