Targeted message response

• US 9,282,066 B2
• Filed: 07/18/2013
• Issued: 03/08/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Chakra, Al, Harpur, Liam, Rice, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Tiv, Backhean
• Application Number:
  US13/945,170
• Publication Number:
  US 20150026267A1
• Time in Patent Office: 964 Days
• Field of Search: 709/206
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/22 Indexing; Data structures therefor; Storage structures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/3346 using probabilistic model
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/90324 using system suggestions
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/00 User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/063 Content adaptation, e.g. replacement of unsuitable content
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/212 using filtering or selective blocking
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/52 for supporting social networking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/16 Implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP]

Abstract

A tool for targeting a message response. The tool monitors reactions of a user to message subject lines, message content, and social networks. The tool analyzes user interest data and calculates a user interest rating per keyword. Rated keywords are stored in association with the user. When a user drafts a message addressed to a recipient, the tool compares rated keywords within the recipient'"'"'s log with the subject line and message content. The tool suggests an alternative subject line likely to elicit a faster and more detailed response from the recipient.

Claims

1. A method for targeting a message response, the method comprising:

a computer system determining, from an electronic message, a recipient and one or more keywords associated with the electronic message;

the computer system calculating a recipient interest rating for the one or more keywords associated with the electronic message, wherein the recipient interest rating is based, at least in part, on observed recipient activity, an established recipient interest baseline, one or more positive indicators of interest, and one or more negative indicators of interest;

the computer system, in response to a sender drafting a subsequent electronic message addressed to the recipient, comparing one or more rated keywords, including one or more keywords stored in association with the recipient, to a subject line and message content of the subsequent electronic message, wherein the one or more keywords stored in association with the recipient include one or more elements that interest the recipient as evidenced by the recipient interest rating; and

the computer system suggesting one or more alternative subject lines incorporating at least one of the one or more rated keywords stored in association with the recipient, wherein suggesting the one or more alternative subject lines includes utilizing a predictive analytics system to determine a relative percentage increase in likelihood that the recipient will respond based on the one or more alternative subject lines, and further advising the sender of the relative percentage increase in such likelihood for each of the one or more alternative subject lines.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the one or more keywords associated with the electronic message, comprises at least one of:

the computer system determining the frequency of words used in the electronic message;

the computer system determining affiliations of the recipient;

the computer system determining the type of words used in the electronic message; and

the computer system determining the format of words used in the electronic message.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein calculating the user interest rating for the one or more keywords associated with the electronic message, comprises the computer system assigning the keyword a weight based on at least one of:

the computer system determining one or more actions taken on the electronic message;

the computer system determining time spent on the electronic message by the recipient;

the computer system determining how quickly the electronic message was accessed by the recipient; and

the computer system determining a relationship between the recipient and a sender.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein assigning the keyword a weight based on determining indicators, comprises the computer system assigning a positive point value for indicators suggesting high user interest, and a negative point value for indicators suggesting low user interest.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein comparing rated keywords to the subject line and message content of the subsequent electronic message, comprises at least one of;

the computer system searching for synonyms, of one or more words within the subject line and message content, within the stored rated keywords;

the computer system searching for one or more stored rated keywords identical to one or more words within the subject line and message content;

the computer system searching for rated keywords, based on weight, within the stored rated keywords; and

the computer system searching for one or more stored rated keywords equivalent to one or more words within the subject line and message content.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein suggesting an alternative subject line, comprises at least one of:

the computer system creating an alternative subject line from one or more rated keywords with the highest weight;

the computer system creating an alternative subject line from one or more rated keywords determined to be synonyms of one or more words within the subject line and message content of the subsequent electronic message;

the computer system creating an alternative subject line from one or more rated keywords determined to be equivalent to one or more words within the subject line and message content of the subsequent electronic message; and

the computer system creating an alternative subject line from one or more combinations of rated keywords.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein creating an alternative subject line from one or more rated keywords, the computer system creates a second alternative subject line, subsequent to creating the alternative subject line, which is proffered to the user to replace the subject line of the subsequent electronic message.

8. A computer program product embodied on a computer-readable storage device for targeting a message response, the computer program product comprising:

one or more computer-readable storage devices and program instructions stored on the one or more computer-readable storage, devices the program instructions comprising;

program instructions to determine, from an electronic message, a recipient and one or more keywords associated with the electronic message;

program instructions to calculate a recipient interest rating for the one or more keywords associated with the electronic message, wherein the recipient interest rating is based, at least in part, on observed recipient activity, an established recipient interest baseline, one or more positive indicators of interest, and one or more negative indicators of interest;

program instructions, in response to a sender drafting a subsequent electronic message addressed to the recipient, to compare one or more rated keywords, including one or more keywords stored in association with the recipient, to a subject line and message content of the subsequent electronic message, wherein the one or more keywords stored in association with the recipient include one or more elements that interest the recipient as evidenced by the recipient interest rating; and

program instructions to suggest one or more alternative subject lines incorporating at least one of the one or more rated keywords stored in association with the recipient, wherein suggesting the one or more alternative subject lines includes utilizing a predictive analytics system to determine a relative percentage increase in likelihood that the recipient will respond based on the one or more alternative subject lines, and further advising the sender of the relative percentage increase in such likelihood for each of the one or more alternative subject lines.

9. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein the program instructions to determine the one or more keywords associated with the electronic message, comprises at least one of:

program instructions to determine the frequency of words used in the electronic message;

program instructions to determine affiliations of the recipient;

program instructions to determine the type of words used in the electronic message; and

program instructions to determine the format of words used in the electronic message.

10. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein the program instructions to calculate the user interest rating for the one or more keywords associated with the electronic message, comprises program instructions to assign the keyword a weight based on at least one of:

program instructions to determine one or more actions taken on the electronic message;

program instructions to determine time spent on the electronic message by the recipient;

program instructions to determine how quickly the electronic message was accessed by the recipient; and

program instructions to determine a relationship between the recipient and a sender.

11. The computer program product of claim 10, wherein the program instructions to assign the keyword a weight based on determined indicators, comprises program instructions to assign a positive point value for indicators suggesting high user interest, and a negative point value for indicators suggesting low user interest.

12. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein the program instructions to compare rated keywords to the subject line and message content of the subsequent electronic message, comprises at least one of;

program instructions to search for synonyms of one or more words, within the subject line and message content, within the stored rated keywords;

program instructions to search for one or more stored rated keywords identical to one or more words within the subject line and message content;

program instructions to search for rated keywords, based on weight, within the stored rated keywords; and

program instructions to search for one or more stored rated keywords equivalent to one or more words within the subject line and message content.

13. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein the program instructions to suggest an alternative subject line, comprises at least one of:

program instructions to create an alternative subject line from one or more rated keywords with the highest weight;

program instructions to create an alternative subject line from one or more rated keywords determined to be synonyms of one or more words within the subject line and message content of the subsequent electronic message;

program instructions to create an alternative subject line from one or more rated keywords determined to be equivalent to one or more words within the subject line and message content of the subsequent electronic message; and

program instructions to create an alternative subject line from one or more combinations of rated keywords.

14. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the program instructions to create an alternative subject line from one or more rated keywords, comprises program instructions to create a second alternative subject line, subsequent to creating the alternative subject line, which is proffered to the user to replace the subject line of the subsequent electronic message.

15. A system for targeting a message response, the system comprising:

one or more computer processors;

one or more computer-readable storage media;

program instructions stored on at least one of the one or more computer-readable storage media for execution by at least one of the one or more computer processors, the program instructions comprising;

program instructions to determine, from an electronic message, a recipient and one or more keywords associated with the electronic message;

program instructions to calculate a recipient interest rating for the one or more keywords associated with the electronic message, wherein the recipient interest rating is based, at least in part, on observed recipient activity, an established recipient interest baseline, one or more positive indicators of interest, and one or more negative indicators of interest;

program instructions, in response to a sender drafting a subsequent electronic message addressed to the recipient, to compare one or more rated keywords, including one or more keywords stored in association with the recipient, to a subject line and message content of the subsequent electronic message, wherein the one or more keywords stored in association with the recipient include one or more elements that interest the recipient as evidenced by the recipient interest rating; and

program instructions to suggest one or more alternative subject lines incorporating at least one of the one or more rated keywords stored in association with the recipient, wherein suggesting the one or more alternative subject lines includes utilizing a predictive analytics system to determine a relative percentage increase in likelihood that the recipient will respond based on the one or more alternative subject lines, and further advising the sender of the relative percentage increase in such likelihood for each of the one or more alternative subject lines.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the program instructions to determine the one or more keywords associated with the electronic message, comprises:

program instructions to determine the frequency of words used in the electronic message;

program instructions to determine affiliations of the recipient;

program instructions to determine the type of words used in the electronic message; and

program instructions to determine the format of words used in the electronic message.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the program instructions to calculate the user interest rating for the one or more keywords associated with the electronic message, comprises program instructions to assign the keyword a weight based on:

program instructions to determine one or more actions taken on the electronic message;

program instructions to determine time spent on the electronic message by the recipient;

program instructions to determine how quickly the electronic message was accessed by the recipient; and

program instructions to determine a relationship between the recipient and a sender.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the program instructions to assign the keyword a weight based on determined indicators, comprises program instructions to assign a positive point value for indicators suggesting high user interest, and a negative point value for indicators suggesting low user interest.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the program instructions to compare rated keywords to the subject line and message content of the subsequent electronic message, comprises;

program instructions to search for synonyms of one or more words within the subject line and message content within the stored rated keywords;

program instructions to search for one or more stored rated keywords identical to one or more words within the subject line and message content;

program instructions to search for rated keywords, based on weight, within the stored rated keywords; and

program instructions to search for one or more stored rated keywords equivalent to one or more words within the subject line and message content.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the program instructions to suggest an alternative subject line, comprises at least one of:

program instructions to create an alternative subject line from one or more rated keywords with the highest weight;

program instructions to create an alternative subject line from one or more rated keywords determined to be synonyms of one or more words within the subject line and message content of the subsequent electronic message;

program instructions to create an alternative subject line from one or more rated keywords determined to be equivalent to one or more words within the subject line and message content of the subsequent electronic message; and

program instructions to create an alternative subject line from one or more combinations of rated keywords.