U.S. patent application number 12/341847 was filed with the patent office on 2011-01-06 for system, program product, and methods for social network advertising and incentives for same.
This patent application is currently assigned to Overstock.com, Inc.. Invention is credited to Patrick Byrne.
Application Number | 20110004525 12/341847 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40789735 |
Filed Date | 2011-01-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110004525 |
Kind Code |
A2 |
Byrne; Patrick |
January 6, 2011 |
SYSTEM, PROGRAM PRODUCT, AND METHODS FOR SOCIAL NETWORK ADVERTISING
AND INCENTIVES FOR SAME
Abstract
Program product, systems, and methods of providing to social
network websites advertising and incentives from an electronic
retailer, are provided. A system can include a social network
website displaying social network content and also displaying a
link that reroutes the consumer to an electronic retailer website
when the consumer clicks on the link. The system can also include
program product for tracking purchase and other information about
the consumer by the electronic retailer, and generating a
commission for the provider of the social network website based on
the tracked information about the consumer. The link can be
embedded within the social network content or the link can be part
of an advertisement and displayed adjacent the social network
content. Also, a product featured in the advertisement can be
affiliated with one main subject of the social network content.
Inventors: |
Byrne; Patrick; (Salt Lake
City, UT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Clayton, Howarth & Cannon, P.C.
P.O. Box 1909
Sandy
UT
84091
UNITED STATES
801-255-5335
docketclerk@chcpat.com
|
Assignee: |
Overstock.com, Inc.
6350 South 3000 East
Salt Lake City
UT
84121
|
Prior
Publication: |
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Document Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20090164323 A1 |
June 25, 2009 |
|
|
Family ID: |
40789735 |
Appl. No.: |
12/341847 |
Filed: |
December 22, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61/031,039 |
Feb 25, 2008 |
|
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61/016,242 |
Dec 21, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/14.67 ;
705/319; 705/35 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 40/00 20130101;
G06Q 30/0258 20130101; G06Q 30/0277 20130101; G06Q 30/02 20130101;
G06Q 50/01 20130101; G06Q 30/0271 20130101; G06Q 30/0273
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/014.67 ;
705/035; 705/319 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/00 20060101
G06Q030/00; G06Q 99/00 20060101 G06Q099/00; G06Q 40/00 20060101
G06Q040/00 |
Claims
1. A computer implemented method of advertising on a social network
website by an electronic retailer, the method comprising the steps
of: displaying social network content on a website viewable on a
computer by a consumer, defining a social network website, the
social network content including one or more of the following: a
video segment with audio, a video segment without audio, an audio
segment, a picture, and text; displaying a link on the social
network website to a web page of a website of an electronic
retailer; rerouting the consumer from the social network website to
the electronic retailer website when the consumer clicks on the
link on the social network website; tracking information about the
consumer by the electronic retailer, the tracked information
including an indication of the link on the social network website
clicked by the consumer, duration of time the consumer spends
viewing the linked electronic retailer website web page, duration
of time the consumer spends viewing other electronic retailer
website web pages, number of times the consumer returns to the
electronic retailer website during an established time period, and
information regarding purchases by the consumer from the electronic
retailer website; and generating a commission for one or more of
the following: a provider of the social network website and a
provider of the social network content, based on the tracked
information about the consumer, to thereby encourage additional
display of additional social network content having at least one
link to the electronic retailer website associated therewith.
2. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of displaying
social network content on a website viewable on a computer by a
consumer is responsive to a search by a search engine; and wherein
the linked electronic retailer website web page features a product
identified as being used in context within the social network
content.
3. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of rerouting
the consumer from the social network website to the electronic
retailer website involves redirecting the consumer to an
appropriate section of the electronic retailer website, as
determined by information contained within the link, based on one
or more of the following: a product, a product category, a brand,
and a price range.
4. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the link is part of an
advertisement; wherein the advertisement is displayed adjacent the
social network content so that the consumer can view the
advertisement at the same time as at least a portion of the social
network content; wherein a product featured in the advertisement is
affiliated with one main subject of the social network content; and
wherein the tracked information further includes movements by the
consumer within the electronic retailer website.
5. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the link is a first
link, the method further comprising the steps of: generating
statistical data for an aggregation of tracked information for
multiple consumers responsive to the tracked information for a
plurality of consumers; and recommending a second link to a
particular product to the provider of a social network website by
the electronic retailer for inclusion with the social network
content, based on the generated statistical data.
6. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of:
administering a website affiliate program of social network website
providers, the program involving the social network website
providers advertising products on behalf of the electronic retailer
to consumers in exchange for commissions, recommendations, and
access to specials and promotions for affiliated social network
website providers.
7. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the link is a first
link, the method further comprising the steps of: generating
statistical data for an aggregation of tracked information for
multiple consumers responsive to the tracked information for a
plurality of consumers; and recommending a second link to a
particular product to the provider of the social network content by
the electronic retailer for inclusion with the social network
content, based on the generated statistical data.
8. A method of advertising by an electronic retailer, the method
comprising the steps of: creating an advertisement for an
electronic retailer, the advertisement being positioned for
publication on a third-party website, the advertisement including a
link being positioned to reroute a consumer to a webpage of the
electronic retailer website when the consumer clicks on the link
within the advertisement; tracking information about the consumer
by the electronic retailer using an electronic retailer computer,
the tracked information including information identifying the
third-party website publishing the advertisement, the link within
the advertisement clicked by the consumer, duration of time the
consumer spends viewing the electronic retailer website, movements
by the consumer within the electronic retailer website, number of
times the consumer returns to the electronic retailer website
during an established time period, and information regarding
purchases by the consumer from the electronic retailer website; and
generating a commission for the third-party website publishing the
advertisement based on the tracked information about the consumer
to thereby encourage additional display of additional social
network content having at least one link to the electronic retailer
website associated therewith.
9. A method as defined in claim 8, wherein the advertisement is
displayed on the third-party website adjacent social network
content so that the consumer can view the advertisement at the same
time as at least a portion of the social network content; wherein a
product featured in the advertisement is affiliated with one main
subject of the social network content; and wherein the social
network content includes one or more of the following: a video
segment with audio, a video segment without audio, an audio
segment, a picture, and text.
10. A method as defined in claim 8, further comprising the steps
of: generating statistical data for advertisements for an
aggregation of tracked information for multiple consumers
responsive to the tracked information for a plurality of customers;
and recommending an advertisement for a particular product to a
third-party website by the electronic retailer for inclusion with
the social network content based on statistical data generated.
11. A system of advertising on a social network website by an
electronic retailer, the system comprising: a first computer being
positioned to display an electronic retailer website, defining an
electronic retailer computer; one or more second computers
positioned remote from the first computer and in communication with
the first computer through an electronic communication network, the
computer being positioned to display a social network website,
defining a social network website computer; one or more third
computers positioned remote from the first and second computers and
in communication with the first and second computers through an
electronic communication network, defining a consumer computer; a
first program product stored in a tangible computer medium that is
readable by the social network website computer, the first program
product comprising a set of instructions that, when executed by the
social network website computer, cause the social network website
computer to perform the following operations: displaying social
network content on a website viewable on the consumer computer, the
social network content including one or more of the following: a
video segment with audio, a video segment without audio, an audio
segment, a picture, and text, displaying a link on the social
network website to a web page of a website of an electronic
retailer, and rerouting the consumer from the social network
website to the electronic retailer website when the consumer clicks
on the link and on the social network website; and a second program
product stored in a tangible computer medium that is readable by
the electronic retailer computer, the second program product
comprising a set of instructions that, when executed by the
electronic retailer computer, cause the electronic retailer
computer to perform the following operations: tracking information
about the consumer by the electronic retailer, the tracked
information including an indication of the link on the social
network website clicked by the consumer, duration of time the
consumer spends viewing the linked electronic retailer website web
page, duration of time the consumer spends viewing other electronic
retailer website web pages, number of times the consumer returns to
the electronic retailer website during an established time period,
and information regarding purchases by the consumer from the
electronic retailer website, and generating a commission for one or
more of the following: a provider of the social network website and
a provider of the social network content, based on the tracked
information about the consumer, to thereby encourage additional
display of additional social network content having at least one
link to the electronic retailer website associated therewith.
12. A system as defined in claim 11, further comprising a third
program product defining a website generation program product
stored in the tangible computer medium that is readable by the
electronic retailer computer, website generation program product
comprising a set of instructions that, when executed by the
electronic retailer computer, cause the electronic retailer
computer to perform the following operations: receiving the social
network content from the social network content provider;
initiating a search of a database of for products for sale
responsive to receiving the social network content, to identify
products related to the received social network content; and
responsively generating the social network website to include the
social network content, an advertisement displayed adjacent the
social network content so that the consumer can view the
advertisement at the same time as at least a portion of the social
network content, and the link to the electronic retailer website
web page featuring at least one product being affiliated with at
least one main subject of the social network content.
13. A system as defined in claim 11, wherein the operation of
displaying social network content on a website viewable on the
consumer computer is a result of a search by a search engine;
wherein the linked electronic retailer website web page features a
product identified as being used in context within the social
network content; and wherein the operation of rerouting the
consumer from the social network website to the electronic retailer
website involves directing the consumer to an appropriate section
of the electronic retailer website, as determined by information
contained within the link, based on one or more of the following: a
product, a product category, a brand, and a price range.
14. A system as defined in claim 11, wherein the link is part of an
advertisement; wherein the advertisement is displayed adjacent the
social network content so that the consumer can view the
advertisement at the same time as at least a portion of the social
network content; wherein a product featured in the advertisement is
affiliated with one main subject of the social network content; and
wherein the tracked information includes movements by the consumer
within the electronic retailer website.
15. A system as defined in claim 11, wherein the link is a first
link, and wherein the operations of the second program product
further comprise: generating statistical data from an aggregation
of tracked information for multiple consumers responsive to the
tracked information for a plurality of consumers; and recommending
a second link to a particular product to a provider of a social
network website by the electronic retailer for inclusion with the
social network content, based on the generated statistical
data.
16. A system as defined in claim 11, wherein the link is a first
link, and wherein the operations of the second program product
further comprise: generating statistical data for an aggregation of
tracked information for multiple consumers responsive to the
tracked information for a plurality of consumers; and recommending
a second link to a particular product to the provider of the social
network content by the electronic retailer for inclusion with the
social network content, based on the generated statistical
data.
17. Program product stored in a tangible computer medium that is
readable by a computer, the program product comprising a set of
instruction that, when executed by the computer, cause the computer
to perform the following operations: displaying social network
content on a website viewable on a computer by a consumer, defining
a social network website, the social network content including one
or more of the following: a video segment with audio, a video
segment without audio, an audio segment, a picture, and text;
displaying a link on the social network website to a website of an
electronic retailer, the link being part of an advertisement for a
product affiliated with a main subject of the social network
content selected for association therewith by one or more of the
following: a provider of the social network website and a provider
of the social network content, the advertisement displayed adjacent
the social network content so that the consumer can view the
advertisement at the same time as at least a portion of the social
network content; and rerouting the consumer from the social network
website to the electronic retailer website when the consumer clicks
on the link on the social network website.
18. Program product as defined in claim 17, wherein the operation
of displaying social network content on a website viewable on a
computer by a consumer is a result of a search by a search engine;
and wherein the operation of rerouting the consumer from the social
network website to the electronic retailer website includes
directing the consumer to an appropriate section of the electronic
retailer website, as determined by information contained within the
link, based on one or more of the following: a product, a product
category, a brand, and a price range.
19. Program product stored in a tangible computer medium that is
readable by a computer, the program product comprising a set of
instruction that, when executed by the computer, cause the computer
to perform the following operations: tracking information about a
consumer by the electronic retailer, the tracked information
including an indication of a link on a social network website
clicked by the consumer, duration of time the consumer spends
viewing a specific electronic retailer website web page, duration
of time the consumer spends viewing other electronic retailer
website web pages, movements by the consumer within the electronic
retailer website, number of times the consumer returns to the
electronic retailer website during an established time period, and
information regarding purchases by the consumer from the electronic
retailer website; and generating a commission for one or more of
the following: a provider of the social network website and a
provider of the social network content, based on the tracked
information about the consumer, to thereby encourage additional
display of additional social network content having at least one
link to the electronic retailer website associated therewith.
20. Program product as defined in claim 19, wherein the link is a
first link, and wherein the operations further comprises:
generating statistical data for an aggregation of tracked
information for multiple consumers responsive to the tracked
information for a plurality of consumers; and recommending a second
link to a particular product to a provider of a social network
website by the electronic retailer for inclusion with the social
network content, based on the generated statistical data.
21. Program product as defined in claim 19, wherein the operations
further comprise: generating statistical data for an aggregation of
tracked information for multiple consumers responsive to the
tracked information for a plurality of consumers; and recommending
a link to a particular product to the provider of the social
network content by the electronic retailer for inclusion with the
social network content, based on the generated statistical data.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a non-provisional of and claims the
benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
61/031,039, filed on Feb. 25, 2008, titled "System, Program
Product, and Methods for Social Network Advertising and Incentives
for Same," and claims the benefit of and priority to U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 61/016,242 filed Dec. 21, 2007,
titled "Website Affiliate Incentive Product, System, and Associated
Methods," each incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to electronic commerce through
communication networks, and more particularly, to systems, program
products, and methods for managing advertisement development and
placement on social network website.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Electronic retailers, like their brick and mortar
counterparts, like to attract consumers to their storefronts. In
addition, electronic retailers like to encourage consumers to
linger at their storefronts and to entice the consumer to make
purchases. It is recognized that the conversational and
participatory nature of social media promotes lingering and
follow-up visits, as illustrated by the recent success of sites
such as MySpace, Facebook, YouTube, and Flickr. Furthermore, such
social media can offer unique opportunities for consumers to
interact with products and demonstrate the use of products in
creative, humorous, fantastic, and interesting ways bys publishing
consumer-produced pictures, video, and audio clips. These
demonstrations are often persuasive expressions of appreciation in
that they often take place in real situations with real people
under real conditions, as opposed to taking place in a studio with
scripted actors under artificial conditions.
[0006] Search engine results can be instrumental in driving a
significant portion of internet traffic to their storefronts.
Overall, however, such driving force is not done so proportionally.
Various websites are favored by the search engines over others.
That is, some websites are more attractive to the search engines,
than others, depending upon their content. As such, recognized by
the inventor is the need to develop or obtain access to content
that is more attractive to the various search engines. Also
recognized is that social media tends to attract very favorable
natural language search results from the various search engines.
Such social media generally includes blogs and other social network
websites having any communications format where users publish the
content, such as, for example, internet forums, message boards,
weblogs, wikis, podcasts, audio, pictures, and video. The favorable
natural language search results for social medial may be at least
in part due to the significant context provided within social media
both in terms of the amount and nature of the content.
[0007] Although such social network websites, such as MySpace,
Facebook, YouTube, and Flickr, and numerous individual blogs, are
very popular in terms of overall internet traffic, inherent in
social networks, however, is the challenge of motivating authors
and content providers to create and offer content. As Milton
Friedman popularized, "There is no such thing as a free lunch." To
monetize, or in many cases subsidize, their efforts, many providers
of social network websites attempt to obtain sponsorship or
advertising revenue.
[0008] Under conventional advertising models, advertisers typically
sponsor content on various websites using cost-per-viewing or
cost-per-click-through to determine the value of the advertising by
estimating the amount of traffic to the website. That is, under the
conventional models, advertisers pay for impressions or
click-throughs. The inventor has recognized that many advertisers
can be uncomfortable assigning a value to an impression of or a
click-through from an individual blog or other social network
website and that the conventional models for advertising on social
network websites, therefore, underperform. Accordingly, the
inventor has recognized a need in the art to provide incentives and
commissions for third-part content development for a website of an
electronic retailer.
[0009] The inventor has further recognized that an electronic
retailer has the ability to better value the advertising on a
social network website by tracking behavioral information about a
consumer from click-through to purchase and by generating
commissions to content providers, social network providers, and/or
both, in response to actual consumer behavior, as opposed to
relying exclusively on impressions or click-throughs. The inventor
has also recognized numerous advantages with an advertising model
that directly associates social network websites with an electronic
retailer.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0010] In view of the foregoing, various embodiments of the present
invention advantageously provide products, systems, and methods of
providing to social network websites advertising and incentives
from an electronic retailer. Various embodiments of the present
invention provide a model for advertising on a social network
website by an electronic retailer tracking a consumer from
click-through to purchase and generating commissions in response to
actual consumer behavior, as opposed to relying exclusively on
impressions or click-throughs. Embodiments of the present invention
advantageously reduce the risk to the advertiser by eliminating
speculative advertising purchases. Moreover, various embodiments of
the present invention provide an inexpensive, quantitative approach
to determining the advertising value of a social network website.
As such, according to various embodiments of the present invention,
web-based sales are generated by electronic retailers advertising
on social network websites, and electronic retailers provide
incentives to providers of a social network websites and/or content
providers in the form of commissions.
[0011] Various embodiments of the present invention can unite
social media content provided by third-party content providers with
items for sale from an electronic retailer. According to an example
of such an embodiment of the present invention, social media
content and items for sale are first associated within an
electronic retailer computer. The social media content and
advertisements for the items for sale then are combined and
formatted in a common website. The social medial content and
advertisements for the items for sale are jointly displayed to a
consumer so that a consumer can choose to purchase an item for sale
after viewing at least a portion of the social media content. When
a consumer purchases an item through an advertisement associated
with the social media content, a sales commission for the
third-party content provider is generated. Thus, according to such
embodiments of the present invention, web-based sales are generated
by social media content, and the provision of social media content
is incentivized by sales commissions offered by an electronic
retailer.
[0012] Various embodiments of the present invention provide a
method of advertising on a social network website by an electronic
retailer. According to an example of an embodiment of the present
invention, such a method includes displaying social network content
on a website, defined as a social network website, viewable on a
computer by a consumer, as understood by those skilled in the art.
The social network content can include a video segment with audio,
a video segment without audio, an audio segment, a picture, text,
or a combination thereof. The method further includes displaying a
link on the social network website to a website of an electronic
retailer and rerouting the consumer from the social network website
to the electronic retailer website when the consumer clicks on the
link on the social network website, as understood by those skilled
in the art. The method continues with the electronic retailer
tracking information about the consumer. Such tracked information
can include the link on the social network website clicked by the
consumer, duration of time the consumer spends viewing the
electronic retailer website, duration of time the consumer spends
viewing other electronic retailer website web pages, movements by
the consumer within the electronic retailer website, the number of
times the consumer returns to the electronic retailer website
during an established time period, information regarding purchases
by the consumer from the electronic retailer website, and other
information as understood by those skilled in the art. In addition,
the method also includes generating a commission for the social
network website provider and/or a content provider based on the
tracked information about the consumer to thereby encourage
additional display of additional social network content having at
least one link to the electronic retailer website associated
therewith. That is, the method can advantageously provide a model
for advertising on a social network website by an electronic
retailer that generates commissions in response to actual consumer
behavior, as opposed to relying exclusively on impressions or
click-throughs.
[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
link can be embedded within the social network content, or the link
can be part of an advertisement and displayed adjacent the social
network content. In addition, as understood by those skilled in the
art, an advertisement containing the link can feature a product
available from the electronic retailer related to the social
network content. That is, the product featured in the advertisement
can be affiliated with one main subject of the social network
content, as understood by those skilled in the art.
[0014] In an example of an embodiment of the present invention, a
social network website can contain a narrative about a particular
father-son fly fishing trip on a named river in a certain state.
The narrative can also, for example, be illustrated by pictures
taken during the trip. The social network website can display
adjacent the narrative, for example, an advertisement for the rod
and reel as used by the father in the narrative, the sleeping bag
as used by the son, or a reservation to hire the services of the
fishing guide's outfit. When a consumer views the narrative on the
social network website, clicks the link in the advertisement to
purchase the rod and reel, is rerouted to the website of the
electronic retailer, and completes a purchase, the provider of the
social network website earns a sales commission. In this
embodiment, the provider of the social network website is the son
(or father) in the narrative and also the author of the content. In
another embodiment, the website provider is an intermediary. For
example, in an example of another embodiment of the present
invention, the content provider is the son (or father) in the
narrative and also the author of the content. According to such
embodiments of the present invention, the provider of the social
network website and/or content provider is incentivized to publish
the narrative in exchange for the commissions.
[0015] In another example of an embodiment of the present
invention, the social network content can be an amateur video of
teenagers performing tricks at a skate park. Adjacent the content
can be, for example, advertisements for a Mountain Dew t-shirt
which one of the acrobats is wearing, a book on skateboarding, and
a Tony Hawk video game. As understood by those skilled in the art,
each advertisement can include a link to the electronic retailer
website. Alternately, the advertisements can all be in a family,
e.g., all related to skateboarding equipment, according to an
embodiment of the present invention. When a consumer views the
narrative on the social network website, clicks a link in the
advertisement, is rerouted to the website of the electronic
retailer, and spends an established amount of time at the website
of the electronic retailer (whether or not the consumer ultimately
completes a purchase), the provider of the social network website
earns a commission based on the tracked behavior of the
consumer.
[0016] In yet another example of an embodiment of the present
invention, the social network website can contain a narrative about
the proper method for training a pet dog. When a consumer views the
content on a website, the website displays a link to the associated
electronic retailer. After viewing the narrative, the consumer may
decide to click on the link to the associated electronic retailer
and purchase a product, which may or may not be related to the
content of the narrative the consumer viewed. When the consumer
completes the transaction with the electronic retailer, the content
provider earns a commission. In this example, the social network
content provider is the author of the content. Such embodiments of
the present invention incentivize the author to write and publish
the narrative in exchange for commissions.
[0017] According to an example of embodiment of the present
invention, a search by a consumer using a search engine can result
in the displaying of the social network website to the consumer.
Because the social network website provides a link to electronic
retailer website, the search by a consumer using a search engine
can result in displaying to the consumer links to the electronic
retailer website. Therefore, various embodiments of the present
invention include an electronic retailer obtaining more favorable
results from search engines as a function of advertising on social
network websites. In the embodiment above, for example, a
consumer's search consisting of the words "fly fishing" and the
name of the river in a certain state can therefore return the
social network website, including the advertisements containing the
links to the electronic retailer's website, due to the social
network content.
[0018] Various embodiments of the present invention include
administering an affiliate program of social network websites. In
addition to providing commissions, the electronic retailer can
offer recommendations to the affiliated social network website
providers and access to specials and promotions as benefits of the
program. As an example, affiliated social network websites may have
an exclusive availability to provide links to products associated
with an anticipated summer blockbuster, according to an embodiment
of the present invention.
[0019] Because the electronic retailer can track information about
the consumer, as understood by those skilled in the art, the social
network website can obtain a sales commission when a consumer is
rerouted to the electronic retailer website, declines to purchase
an item initially, returns to the electronic retailer website
within an established period of time, and then completes a
purchase, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Alternately, as understood by those skilled in the art, the social
network website can obtain a commission when a consumer is rerouted
to the electronic retailer website, declines to purchase an item
initially, but repeatedly returns to the electronic retailer
website within an established period of time, becoming a regular
shopper of the electronic retailer, according to another embodiment
of the present invention.
[0020] In addition, various embodiments of the present invention
provide the electronic retailer an ability to track consumer
interaction with the content and change the items for sale
associated with the content based on the data gathered and other
data, such as inventories, profit margins, and prices of the items
for sale. Thus, when an item is sold out or on back order, that
item is no longer advertised along side the social media content.
Alternately, if the social media content fails to provide
sufficient sales for a particular item, the advertisement for that
item may be replaced by an advertisement for a different item,
according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0021] Various embodiments of the present invention also provide a
system of advertising on a social network website by an electronic
retailer. According to an example of an embodiment of the present
invention, such a system includes an electronic retailer computer,
one or more remote social network website computers, and one or
more remote consumer computers, all remote from and in
communication with each other through an electronic communication
network. The social network website computer includes a program
product stored in a tangible computer medium that is readable by
the social network website computer to perform various operations.
The operations can include displaying social network content on a
website viewable on the consumer computer, displaying a link on the
social network website to a website of an electronic retailer, and
rerouting the consumer from the social network website to the
electronic retailer website when the consumer clicks on the link on
the social network website.
[0022] The electronic retailer computer can include a program
product stored in a tangible computer medium that is readable by
the electronic retailer computer to perform the operation of
tracking information about the consumer by the electronic retailer
and generating a commission for the provider of the social network
website and/or the provider of the social network content if not
provided by the social network website, based on the tracked
information about the consumer, to thereby encourage additional
display of additional social network content having at least one
link to the electronic retailer website associated therewith. Such
tracked information can include the link on the social network
website clicked by the consumer, duration of time the consumer
spends viewing the linked electronic retailer website web page,
duration of time the consumer spends viewing other electronic
retailer website web pages, movements by the consumer within the
electronic retailer website, the number of times the consumer
returns to the electronic retailer website during an established
time period, information regarding purchases by the consumer from
the electronic retailer website, and other information as
understood by those skilled in the art.
[0023] In addition to generating web-based sales and incentivizing
content development for a website, various embodiments of the
present invention provide methods and systems positioned to
generate web-based sales. According to an example of an embodiment
of the present invention, such a system includes an electronic
retailer computer, one or more remote content provider computers in
communication with the electronic retailer computer through an
electronic communication network, and one or more remote consumer
computers. The electronic retailer computer includes social media
content received from a content provider computer and a website
generation program product stored in a tangible computer medium
that is readable by the electronic retailer computer. The website
generation program product associates the content with items for
sale (e.g., products) and correspondingly automatically generates
and formats a website with the content adjacent related
advertisements.
[0024] Specifically, the website generation program product can
cause the electronic retailer computer to perform the operations of
receiving social network content from a content provider,
initiating a search of a database of for products for sale
responsive to receiving the social network content, to identify
products related to the received social network content, and
responsively generating the social network website to include: the
social network content; an advertisement displayed adjacent the
social network content so that the consumer can view the
advertisement at the same time as at least a portion of the social
network content; and a link to an electronic retailer website web
page featuring at least one product affiliated with at least one
main subject of the social network content. The consumer computer
displays the website generated by the electronic retailer computer
so that a consumer can choose to purchase an item after viewing at
least a portion of the content.
[0025] In addition, various embodiments of the system include
generating a sales commission for the third-party content provider
based on the behavior of the consumer with respect to the
electronic retailer, whether or not the consumer purchases an
item.
[0026] Various embodiments of the present invention also include a
program product stored in a tangible computer medium implementing
the methods and features described herein. For example, a program
product according to an embodiment of the present invention can
include instructions that when executed by a computer, cause the
computer to perform various operations including displaying social
network content including one or more of the following: a video
segment with audio, a video segment without audio, an audio
segment, a picture, and text, on a social network website, and
displaying a link on the social network website to a website of an
electronic retailer. The link can advantageously be part of an
advertisement for a product affiliated with a main subject of the
social network content selected for association therewith by one or
more of the following: a provider of the social network website and
a provider of the social network content, with the advertisement
displayed adjacent the social network content so that the consumer
can view the advertisement at the same time as at least a portion
of the social network content. The operations can also include
rerouting the consumer from the social network website to the
electronic retailer website when the consumer clicks on the link on
the social network website.
[0027] For example, a program product according to an embodiment of
the present invention can include instructions that when executed
by a computer, cause the computer to perform various operations
including tracking information about a consumer by the electronic
retailer, and generating a commission for one or more of the
following: a provider of the social network website and a provider
of the social network content, based on the tracked information
about the consumer, to thereby encourage additional display of
additional social network content having at least one link to the
electronic retailer website associated therewith. The tracked
information can include an indication of a link on a social network
website clicked by the consumer, duration of time the consumer
spends viewing a electronic retailer website web page, duration of
time the consumer spends viewing other electronic retailer website
web pages, movements by the consumer within the electronic retailer
website, number of times the consumer returns to the electronic
retailer website during an established time period, and information
regarding purchases by the consumer from the electronic retailer
website. The operations can also include generating statistical
data for an aggregation of tracked information for multiple
consumers responsive to the tracked information for a plurality of
consumers, and recommending a second link to a particular product
to a provider of a social network website and/or the provider of
the social network content (if not also the provider of the social
network website) by the electronic retailer by the electronic
retailer for inclusion with the social network content based on the
generated statistical data.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0028] So that the manner in which the features and benefits of the
invention, as well as others which will become apparent, may be
understood in more detail, a more particular description of the
invention briefly summarized above may be had by reference to the
embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings,
which form a part of this specification. It is also to be noted,
however, that the drawings illustrate only various embodiments of
the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of
the invention's scope as it may include other effective embodiments
as well.
[0029] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a system to provide
advertising on a social network website by an electronic retailer
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an electronic
retailer computer according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0031] FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a program product
associated with a social network computer according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a program product
associated with an electronic retailer computer according to an
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0033] FIG. 5 is a schematic flow diagram of a method of
advertising on a social network website by an electronic retailer
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0034] FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of a website affiliate
program according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 7 is a schematic flow diagram of a method of
advertising by an electronic retailer according to another
embodiment of the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 8 is a schematic flow diagram of a process to
incentivize content development for a website according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of a third-party content
provider and website affiliate program according to an embodiment
of the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 10 is a schematic flow diagram of a process of
generating web-based sales according to another embodiment of the
present invention;
[0039] FIG. 11 is a partial schematic diagram of a website of a
program product and system according to an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0040] FIG. 12 is a partial schematic diagram of a website of a
program product and system according to another embodiment of the
present invention; and
[0041] FIG. 13 is a partial schematic diagram of a social network
website according to an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0042] The present invention will now be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which
illustrate embodiments of the invention. This invention may,
however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be
construed as limited to the illustrated embodiments set forth
herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this
disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the
scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers
refer to like elements throughout. Prime notation, if used,
indicates similar elements in alternative embodiments.
[0043] Embodiments of the present invention provide an inexpensive,
quantitative approach to determining the advertising value of a
website, including a social network website, to an electronic
retailer. Under existing models, advertisers pay for impressions or
clicks-throughs. Under embodiments of the present invention, an
electronic retailer advantageously pays commissions to the provider
of a website, including a social network website, based on actual
consumer behavior of a consumer, including purchase
information.
[0044] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 6, embodiments of the present
invention include a system 30 for providing advertising on a social
network website 37 by an electronic retailer 101. The system 30
includes a first computer, defining an electronic retailer computer
31. The electronic retailer computer 31 includes an electronic
retailer website 33. The system 30 also includes one or more second
computers, defining a social network website computer 35. The
social network website computer 35 includes a social network
website 37, which displays social network content 39 and a link 43
to the electronic retailer website 33. The social network content
39 can include, for example, a video segment with audio, a video
segment without audio, an audio segment, a picture, text, or a
combination thereof. The link 43 can include, for example, a
hyper-text link associated with a product related text item
embedded in the content 39 or an advertisement icon selectable by a
customer.
[0045] The system 30 further includes one or more third computers,
defining a consumer computer 51. The electronic retailer computer
31, the social network website computer 35, and the consumer
computer 51 are all positioned remote from each other and in
communication with each other through an electronic communication
network 53. The system 30 further includes program products, as
illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, associated with the
social network website computer 35 and the electronic retailer
computer 31.
[0046] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
social network website computer 35 includes a program product, as
illustrated in FIG. 3, located in a computer readable memory 55
that comprises a set of instructions 57 that, when executed by the
computer 35, causes the computer to perform various operations. The
operations include displaying social network content 39 on a
website 37 viewable on the consumer computer 51 (block 61). The
social network content 39 can include one or more of the following:
a video segment with audio, a video segment without audio, an audio
segment, a picture, and text. The operations further include
displaying a link 43 on the social network website 37 to the
electronic retailer website 33 (block 63). The operations also
include rerouting the consumer from the social network website 37
to the electronic retailer website 33 when the consumer clicks on
the link 43 on the social network website 37 (block 65).
[0047] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
electronic retailer computer 31 includes a program product, as
illustrated in FIG. 4, located in a computer readable memory 71
that comprises a set of instructions 73 that, when executed by the
computer 31, causes the computer to perform various operations. The
operations can include the electronic retailer tracking information
41 about the consumer, e.g., customer behavior (block 81). Such
tracked information 41 can include the link 43 on the social
network website 37 to an item or items for sale 45 clicked by the
consumer, the duration of time the consumer spends viewing the
linked electronic retailer website web page, the duration of time
the consumer spends viewing other electronic retailer website web
pages, movements by the consumer within the electronic retailer
website 33, the number of times the consumer returns to the
electronic retailer website 33 during an established time period
(e.g., one week, two weeks, or 30 days, etc.), information
regarding purchases by the consumer from the electronic retailer
website 33, and other information as understood by those skilled in
the art. The operations further include generating a commission for
the provider of the social network website and/or content provider
based on the tracked information about the consumer (block 83).
[0048] A person having ordinary skill in the art will recognize
that various types of memory 55, 71, are readable by a computer.
The memory 55, 71, can include volatile and nonvolatile memory
known to those skilled in the art including, for example, RAM, ROM,
and magnetic or optical disks, just to name a few. Note, it should
also be understood that the illustrated computer/server
configuration is given by way of example and that other types of
computers or servers configured according to various other
methodologies known to those skilled in the art can be used. The
computers 31 and 35, shown schematically in, for example, FIG. 1
represents a computer, server, or computer/server cluster or farm
and are not limited to any individual physical configuration. The
various computer sites may be deployed as a computer/server farm or
computer/server cluster managed by a serving hosting provider. The
number of computer/servers and their architecture and configuration
may be increased based on usage, demand and capacity requirements
for the system 30.
[0049] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
instruction 73 are provided as part of a commission generation
program product 85. Further, in an embodiment where the social
network website 37 is generated by the electronic retailer 101, the
commission generation program product 85, functioning across
multiple computers 31, 35, can also include instructions 57. Note,
the commission generation program product 85 can be in the form of
microcode, programs, routines, and symbolic languages that provide
a specific set for sets of ordered operations that control the
functioning of the hardware and direct its operation, as known and
understood by those skilled in the art. Note also, the commission
generation program product 51, according to an embodiment of the
present invention, need not reside in its entirety in volatile
memory, but can be selectively loaded, as necessary, according to
various methodologies as known and understood by those skilled in
the art.
[0050] As illustrated in FIG. 5, as well as FIGS. 1 and 6, and
embodiment of the present invention provides a method of
advertising on a social network website 37 by an electronic
retailer. The method includes displaying social network content 39
on a social network website 37 viewable on a computer 51 by a
consumer (block 91), as understood by those skilled in the art. The
social network content 39 can include a video segment with audio, a
video segment without audio, an audio segment, a picture, text,
and/or a combination thereof. The method further includes
displaying a link 43 on the social network website 37 to an
electronic retailer website 33 (block 93) and rerouting the
consumer from the social network website 37 to the electronic
retailer website 33 when the consumer clicks on the link 43 on the
social network website 37 (block 95), as understood by those
skilled in the art. The method continues with the electronic
retailer tracking information about the consumer's behavior (block
97). Such tracked information 41 can include the link 43 on the
social network website clicked by the consumer, the duration of
time the consumer spends viewing one or more web pages of the
electronic retailer website 33, movements by the consumer within
the electronic retailer website 33, the number of times the
consumer returns to the electronic retailer website 33 during an
established time period, information regarding purchases by the
consumer from the electronic retailer website 33, and/or other
information as understood by those skilled in the art. Note, the
tracked information 41 and the items for sale (indicia) 45 can be
stored in one or more databases 47 which can be stored in memory 71
and/or memory of accessed through or otherwise associated with the
database server 49.
[0051] As also shown in FIG. 6, in addition, the method also
includes generating a commission 103 for the social network website
provider 105 based on the tracked information 43 about the consumer
107 (block 99). That is, the method provides a model for
advertising on a social network website 37 by an electronic
retailer 31 that generates commissions 103 in response to actual
consumer behavior, as opposed to relying exclusively on impressions
or click-throughs, for this exemplary embodiment.
[0052] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
link 43 can be embedded within the social network content 39 (e.g.,
as Hypertext or as they picture icon), or the link 43 can be a
textual or graphic part of an advertisement 109 and displayed
adjacent the social network content 39, as shown, for example, in
FIGS. 11-13. In addition, as understood by those skilled in the
art, an advertisement containing the link 43 can feature a product
(i.e., good or service item for sale 45) available from the
electronic retailer 101 related to the social network content 39.
That is, the product featured in the advertisement can be
affiliated with one main subject of the social network content 39.
As understood by those skilled in the art, the ability to target
advertising by locating an advertisement within a relevant context,
according to embodiments of the present invention, offers a
tremendous benefit to advertisers.
[0053] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a
search by a consumer 107 using a search engine can result in the
displaying of the social network website 37 to the consumer 107.
Because the social network website 37 provides a link 43 to the
electronic retailer website 33, the search by a consumer 107 using
a search engine can result in displaying to the consumer 107 links
43 to the electronic retailer website 33. Therefore, embodiment of
the present invention include an electronic retailer 101
advantageously obtaining more favorable results from search engines
as a function of advertising on social network websites 37.
[0054] According to an embodiment of the present invention and as
understood by those skilled in the art, the step of rerouting the
consumer 107 from the social network website 37 to the electronic
retailer website 33 (block 95) can involve rerouting the consumer
107 to an appropriate section of the electronic retailer website
33, as determined by information contained within the link 43,
based on a product, a product category, a brand, a price range, or
a combination thereof. For example, if the one main subject of the
social network content 39 concerns the proper method for training a
pet dog, as discussed in an embodiment of the present invention
above, the link 43 may contain information so that, when the link
43 is selected, the consumer is rerouted to the section of the
electronic retailer website 33 devoted to the product category of
dog collars and leashes, rather than the generic home page of the
electronic retailer website 33.
[0055] As illustrated in FIG. 7 and further in FIG. 6, a method of
advertising by an electronic retailer 101, according to an example
of an embodiment of the present invention, includes creating an
advertisement for an electronic retailer for publication on a
website (block 121), e.g., third party of retailer sponsored. The
advertisement 109 can include a link 43 to reroute a consumer 107
to the electronic retailer website 33 when the consumer 107 clicks
on the link 43 within the advertisement 109. The method continues
tracking, e.g., behavioral information 41 about the consumer 107 by
the electronic retailer 101 (block 123). Such tracked information
41 can include information identifying the third-party website
(e.g., a third-party social network website 37) publishing the
advertisement 109, the link 43 within the advertisement 109 clicked
by the consumer 107, the duration of time the consumer 107 spends
viewing the electronic retailer website 33, movements by the
consumer 107 within the electronic retailer website 33, the number
of times the consumer 107 returns to the electronic retailer
website 33 during an established time period, information regarding
purchases by the consumer 107 from the electronic retailer website
33, and/or other information as understood by those skilled in the
art.
[0056] The method can further include generating a commission for
the third-party website publishing the advertisement 109 based on
the tracked information 41 about the consumer 107 (block 125). The
method also can include generating statistical data for the
advertisements 109 from an aggregation of tracked information 41
for multiple consumers 107 (block 127) and providing a
recommendation 111 recommending an advertisement 109 to a
third-party website by the electronic retailer 101 based on
statistical data generated (block 129).
[0057] As perhaps best illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 13, an embodiment
of the present invention provides a social network website 37 in
which the social network content 39 is a narrative about a
particular father-son fly fishing trip on a named river in a
certain state. The narrative can also, for example, be illustrated
by pictures taken during the trip. The social network website 37
can display adjacent the narrative, for example, an advertisement
109 for the rod and reel as used by the father in the narrative,
the sleeping bas as used by the son, or a reservation to hire the
services of the fishing guide's outfit. When a consumer 107 views
the narrative on the social network website 37, clicks the link 43
in the advertisement 109 to purchase the rod and reel, is rerouted
to the electronic retailer website 33, and completes a purchase,
the provider of the social network website earns a sales commission
103 which can be generated through commission generation program
product 85. In this embodiment, the provider of the social network
website 37 is the son in the narrative and also the author of the
content. In another embodiment, the social network website provider
is an intermediary or owned by the electronic retailer 101, as
described in more detail later.
[0058] FIGS. 1 and 5 illustrate a website affiliate program of
social network website providers, according to an embodiment of the
present invention, showing the relationships between an electronic
retailer 101, affiliated social network website providers 105, and
consumers 107. According to an embodiment of the present invention,
the affiliated social network website providers 105 offer consumers
107, through one or more consumer computers 51 as understood by
those skilled in the art, a social network website 33 including
social network content 39 and advertising for the electronic
retailer 101. The consumer 107 provides payment for goods and
services 117 to the electronic retailer 101 for purchases made by
the consumer by various techniques as understood by those skilled
in the art. In exchange, the electronic retailer 101 provides to
consumers 107 goods and services 115, as understood by those
skilled in the art. The electronic retailer 101 provides to the
affiliated social network website providers 105 commissions 103 in
response to actual consumer behavior, as opposed to relying
exclusively on impressions or click-throughs. In addition, the
electronic retailer 101 offers recommendations 111 to the
affiliated social network website providers 105 and access to
specials and promotions 113. As an example, affiliated social
network website providers 105 can be provided an exclusive
availability to provide links 43 to products associated with an
anticipated summer blockbuster, according to an embodiment of the
present invention. The recommendations 111 from the electronic
retailer 101 can include, for example, recommending a link 43 based
on statistical data generated for the links 43 from an aggregation
of tracked information 41 for multiple consumers 107.
[0059] As illustrated in FIGS. 8-10, and further in FIG. 1, a
system 30 and computer implemented method of advertising by an
electronic retailer 101, according to an example of an embodiment
of the present invention, includes additional components and
procedures to incentivize social network content 39 development for
the social network website 37. For example, according to an
embodiment of the present invention, the system 30, in addition to
including an electronic retailer computer 31 and one or more remote
consumer computers 51, includes one or more remote third-party
content provider computers 119. According to such an embodiment of
the present invention, the electronic retailer computer 31,
including a website generation program product 120 (FIG. 2) is in a
communication with, and receives content 39 from third-party
content providers 118 via the content provider computers 119.
[0060] As perhaps best shown in FIG. 8 and further in FIG. 9,
according to an embodiment of the present invention, the website
generation program product 120, when executed by the electronic
retailer computer 31, causes the computer 31 to perform the
operations of receiving content 39 from a content provider computer
119 (block 141) and associating the content 39 with one or more
items for sale (block 143) available according to the inventory of
items for sale 32 (see FIG. 4). The operations also include
creating advertisements 109 for the associated items for sale 45.
An advertisement 109, for example, can include a link 43 to
purchase an item for sale 45 (block 145). Then, the website
generation program product 120 formats a website 37 so that the
content 39 from the third-party content provider computer 119 is
adjacent advertisements 109 for items for sale 45 from the
electronic retailer 101 (block 147), such as in locations
illustrated in FIGS. 11-13 or other adjacent locations as
understood by those skilled in the art. Next, the social network
website computer 35, through the consumer computer 51, displays the
website 37 to a consumer 107 so that the consumer 107 can choose to
purchase an item for sale 45 after viewing at least a portion of
the content 39 (block 149). According to embodiments of the present
invention, when a consumer 107 performs various behaviors
associated with visiting or purchasing from the electronic retailer
website 33, a sales commission for the third-party content provider
118 is automatically generated (block 151). According to another
embodiment of the present invention, the operations further include
administering an affiliate program of third-party content providers
(block 153), similar to that previously described with respect to
with third-party website providers 105.
[0061] As perhaps best shown in FIG. 10 and further in FIG. 9, a
computer implemented method includes formatting a website 37 of an
electronic retailer 101 with content 39 from a third-party content
provider 118 adjacent one or more advertisements 109 for an
associated item for sale 45 (block 171). Each advertisement has a
link 43 to purchase an item for sale 45 so that a consumer 107 can
choose to purchase an item for sale 45 after viewing at least a
portion of the content 39. Next, the method includes displaying the
website 37 to a consumer 107 (block 173). Then, the method also
includes generating a sales commission 103 for the third-party
content provider 118 (block 175) in response to various criteria,
and such as, for example: producing the content 39 in association
with the advertisement(s) 109 and link(s) 45; the consumer 107
purchasing the featured item for sale 45 through an advertisement
109 for an item for sale 45 associated with the content 39; the
consumer 107 "clicking " the link 43 in the advertisement 109 for
an item for sale 45 displayed adjacent the content 39 (which can be
provided whether or not the consumer purchases the item for sale
45); and/or as a result of various consumer interactions with
either the content 39 or with the electronic retailer website 33
(whether or not a purchase is ever made). In addition, embodiments
of the present invention include tracking consumer interaction with
the content 39 (block 181) and generating statistical data for the
content 39 (block 183). Based on the statistical data generated and
other data including inventory, profit margin, and price, the
electronic retailer 101, for example, via the website generation
program product 120 can responsively change the items for sale 45
associated with the content 39 (block 185). A person having
ordinary skill in the art will understand that compelling content
39 can used to promote multiple items for sale 45.
[0062] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
method can further provide for the administering an affiliate
program of third-party content providers 118 (block 187). As
illustrated, for example, in FIG. 9, as part of the affiliate
incentive program, the third-party content providers 118 provide
content 39 to the electronic retailer 101 in exchange for certain
benefits, such as, commissions 103, access to specials and
promotions 113, and branding and guidance recommendations 111 from
the electronic retailer 101.
[0063] It is important to note that while various embodiments of
the present invention have been described in the context of a fully
functional system, those skilled in the art will appreciate that
the mechanism of a last portions of the present invention and/or
aspects thereof are capable of being distributed in the form of a
computer readable medium of instructions in a variety of forms for
execution on a processor, processors, or the like, and that
embodiments of the present invention apply equally regardless of
the particular type of signal bearing media used to actually carry
out the distribution. Examples of computer readable media include
but are not limited to: nonvolatile, hard-coded type media such as
read only memories (ROMs), CD-ROMs, and DVD-ROMs, or erasable,
electrically programmable read only memories (EEPROMs), recordable
type media such as floppy disks, hard disk drives, CD-R/RWs,
DVD-RAMs, DVD-R/RWs, DVD+R/RWs, flash drives, and other newer types
of memories, and transmission type media such as digital and analog
communication links. For example, such media can include both
operating instructions and operations instructions related to the
various program product and the method steps, described above.
[0064] Throughout this specification and as understood by those
skilled in the art, the term "link" is defined as a reference to an
online location, a pointer, a hypertext link, a hyperlink, or
navigation element within a website to another section of the same
website or to another website. Often, a link is embedded within
text that is colored and underlined. Other links are embedded
within icons or graphics. Typically, links are recognized by moving
a cursor over the icon and having the cursor change visually, for
example, from an arrow to a pointing finger, as understood by those
skilled in the art. Link information can generally be accessed by,
for example, right-clicking on the text or icon and selecting
properties; alternately, hovering over a link may case information
to pop up and be displayed over the icon, text, or graphic, as
understood by those skilled in the art. In addition, the term
"rerouting" means directing, redirecting, or transporting the
viewer from one a section of one website to another section of the
same website or to another website, typically as a result of
clicking on a link, as understood by those skilled in the art.
Further, the terms "item for sale" and "product" refer to goods,
services, and goods and services.
[0065] In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed
a typical preferred embodiment of the invention, and although
specific terms are employed, the terms are used in a descriptive
sense only and not for purposes of limitation. The invention has
been described in considerable detail with specific reference to
these illustrated embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that
various modifications and changes can be made within the spirit and
scope of the invention as described in the foregoing
specification.
* * * * *