Content recommendations based on browsing information

• US 9,202,221 B2
• Filed: 09/05/2008
• Issued: 12/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Wise, Angela S., Pai, Samarth S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Huynh, Dung B
• Application Number:
  US12/204,835
• Publication Number:
  US 20100064040A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,643 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0407 wherein the identity of one or more communicating identities is hidden cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for anonymous credentials or for identity based cryptographic systems H04L9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/535 Tracking the activity of the user network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/02 Protecting privacy or anonymity, e.g. protecting personally identifiable information [PII]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/16 selectively restricting mobility data tracking

Abstract

Architecture for dynamically tracking information about a first-time or inactive user to a website and expeditiously presenting targeted content back to the user to maintain the user interest in the website. A visceral connection is created with the user based on immediately relevant content and functionality, and without requiring user-entered profile information about the user. Based on a few pieces of browsing information collected while at the website an action-oriented initial scenario is provided that is interesting to the user, and gets the user invested in the content (e.g., product) as a whole. Services can be recommended to users in the context of a social application or an online service provider, for example. The architecture also facilitates the up-selling, cross-selling of services, features, and products, for example, to users based on the current user browsing activity.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

memory that stores

a detection component configured to detect a user in a session of a website portal, the session associated with session content,

a tracking component configured to track interaction of the user with the session content, to produce tracking information,

a content component configured to obtain and present new content targeted to the user after the user signs up for the website portal based at least on the tracked interaction of the user with the session content prior to the user signing up with the website portal, to convert the user into an active subscriber, and

a security component configured to enable authorized and secure handling of user information that includes the tracking information and personal information, and to allow the subscriber to opt-in and opt-out of collection of the tracking information and any personal information obtained at signup, the authorized and secure handling of user information comprising ensuring that the user information is housed using security measures corresponding to sensitivity of the user information and restricting access to the user information to authorized viewers; and

at least one processor that runs the detection component, the tracking component, the content component, and the security component.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the website portal facilitates access to a web-based social application and the session content includes related entertainment application content and related social content.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the website portal facilitates access to a web-based business application and the session content includes related business application services and related business application features.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the content component surfaces step-by-step instructions based on interaction behavior of the subscriber to the session content.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the memory further stores an analysis component configured to analyze subscriber browsing behavior, to extrapolate subscriber experience level based on the analysis, and to suggest new content for presentation.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the content component submits new content as part of the session content based on the subscriber experience level.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the content component suggests session content popular with other subscribers of the website portal based at least in part on an origin of the subscriber.

8. A system, comprising:

memory that stores

a detection component configured to detect a user in a member page of a website portal, the member page presenting content that includes a service,

a tracking component configured to obtain tracking information of user browsing activity relative to the content and the service,

an analysis component configured to analyze user browsing behavior on the member page and extrapolate user experience level based on the analysis,

a content component configured to submit and present new content

targeted to the user after the user signs up for the service based at least on the user experience level and user browsing behavior prior to the user signing up with the service to become a subscriber, and

a security component configured to ensure secure collection, storage, and access to subscriber information that includes the tracking information and personal information, and allowing the subscriber to opt-in and opt-out of collection of the tracking information and any personal information obtained at signup, the security component configured to ensure that the subscriber information is housed using security measures corresponding to sensitivity of the subscriber information and restricting access to the subscriber information to authorized viewers; and

at least one processor that runs the detection component, the tracking component, the analysis component, the content component, and the security component.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the website portal facilitates access to a web-based social application and the session content includes related social application content and related social application features.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the website portal facilitates access to a web-based business application and the content includes related business application services and related business application features.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the content component presents step-by-step instructions of a feature based on the user experience level.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the content component suggests content popular with other subscribers of the website portal based at least in part on an origin of the user.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the analysis component further analyzes user browsing behavior prior to access to the website portal and the content component suggests and presents the new content based on the prior user browsing behavior and the user behavior relative to the content and the service.

14. A computer-implemented method of making suggestions to a user, comprising:

detecting a user in a member page of a website portal, the member page presenting content that includes a service;

tracking user browsing behavior relative to the content and the service to produce tracking information;

analyzing the user browsing behavior and extrapolating user experience level based on the browsing behavior in the member page;

suggesting and presenting new content targeted to the user after the user signs up for the service based at least on the user experience level and user browsing behavior prior to the user signing up with the service to become a subscriber;

allowing the user to opt-in and opt-out of collection of tracking information and any personal information obtained at signup, user information for the user including the tracking information and the personal information; and

enabling authorized and secure handling of the user information at least by ensuring that the user information is housed using security measures corresponding to sensitivity of the user information and restricting access to the user information to authorized viewers.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the member page is associated with a web-based business application, and the content includes a service provided by the business application with which the user is unfamiliar.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising detecting that the user is an inactive user based on reduced browsing activity in the member page.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising dynamically changing the content based on a computed increase in experience with an existing service by the user.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising up-selling and cross-selling features, services, and products to the subscriber based on the browsing behavior.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising analyzing the browsing behavior based on duration of exposure to pieces of the content and click-through data.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the member page is associated with a web-based social application, and the content includes a service provided by the social application with which the user is unfamiliar.