Method, medium, and system of generating a referral website URL using website listings in a cookie

• US 9,037,500 B2
• Filed: 12/15/2011
• Issued: 05/19/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AcademixDirect, Inc.
• Original Assignee: AcademixDirect, Inc.
• Inventors: Abhari, Hassan (Al), Chow, Siew (Roland) T.
• Primary Examiner(s): ZIMMERMAN, MATTHEW E
• Application Number:
  US13/327,713
• Publication Number:
  US 20120089460A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,251 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26.1, 705/26.7, 705/14.49, 705/27.1
• US Class Current: 705/26.7
• 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 30/0251 Targeted advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0255 based on user history
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0631 Item recommendations

Abstract

A closed loop referral system and method is disclosed. According to one embodiment, a computer-implemented method, comprises embedding a tracking code into a first website. The tracking code communicates with a referral system. A user interface is provided on a browser for the first website. The browser is directed from the first website to a second website. Upon performance of a user action on the second website, the tracking code is executed. The tracking code communicates with the referral system to direct the browser to a third website determined by the referral system.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

embedding a tracking code into at least one of a first website and a second website;

directing a browser from the first website to the second website;

dropping a new cookie, or updating an existing cookie, in a user computer in response to the browser being directed from the first website to the second website, wherein the new or updated cookie comprises identifications of the first and second websites;

executing the tracking code based on a user action on the second website;

generating, by a referral system in communication with the tracking code, a URL using the identifications of the first and second websites from the new or updated cookie, wherein the URL is to a third website that is different from the first website and the second website;

directing, by the referral system, the browser to the third website based on the content of the new or updated cookie; and

providing customized advertisements to a user of the first website based on a user profile generated by the referral system.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the first website comprises a frame comprising a link to the second website.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the first website comprises a clickable web object displayed on a user interface, the clickable web object comprising a link to the second website.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the user action comprises clicking a button on a confirmation page.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising calling for a redirection program by the tracking code.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising providing the identifications of the first and second websites to the tracking code.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the new or updated cookie further comprises a parameter comprising one of a site name, a frame log ID, a campaign ID, or a partner ID.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 6, wherein the new or updated cookie further comprises a parameter comprising one of a site name, a frame log ID, a campaign ID, or a partner ID.

9. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer-readable instructions which, when executed by a system, cause the system to perform:

embedding a tracking code into at least one of a first website and a second website;

directing a browser from the first website to the second website;

dropping a new cookie, or updating an existing cookie, in a user computer in response to the browser being directed from the first website to the second website, wherein the new or updated cookie comprises identifications of the first and second websites;

executing the tracking code based on a user action on the second website;

generating, by a referral system in communication with the tracking code, a URL using the identifications of the first and second websites from the new or updated cookie, wherein the URL is to a third website that is different from the first website and the second website;

directing, by the referral system, the browser to the third website based on the content of the new or updated cookie; and

providing customized advertisements to a user of the first website based on a user profile generated by the referral system.

10. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the first website comprises a frame comprising a link to the second website.

11. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the first website comprises a clickable web object displayed on a user interface, the clickable web object comprising a link to the second website.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the user action comprises clicking a button on a confirmation page.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, further comprising calling for a redirection program by the tracking code.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, further comprising providing the identifications of the first and second websites to the tracking code.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 9, wherein the new or updated cookie further comprises a parameter comprising one of a site name, a frame log ID, a campaign ID, or a partner ID.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the new or updated cookie further comprises a parameter comprising one of a site name, a frame log ID, a campaign ID, or a partner ID.

17. A system comprising:

a computing device configured to;

embed a tracking code into at least one of a first website and a second website;

direct a browser from the first website to the second website;

drop a new cookie, or update an existing cookie, in a user computer in response to the browser being directed from the first website to the second website, wherein the new or updated cookie comprises identifications of the first and second websites; and

execute the tracking code based on a user action on the second website;

generate, by a referral system in communication with the tracking code, a URL using the identifications of the first and second websites from the new or updated cookie, wherein the URL is to a third website that is different from the first website and the second website;

direct, by the referral system, the browser to the third website based on the content of the new or updated cookie; and

provide customized advertisements to a user of the first website based on a user profile generated by the referral system.