Ad Network Subdomain Cookie Segmentation for Privacy Compliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ad networks are unable to perform advanced targeting and advertising on web browsers that are set to allow only first party cookies, limiting their ability to access and utilize user data for behavioral and contextual advertising across multiple websites.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that enable targeting of electronic advertisements by setting and accessing first party Internet cookies, involving updating DNS records to redirect subdomains to ad network servers, setting cookies on user browsers, and checking for cookie presence across multiple domains to serve targeted ads, while adhering to browser privacy settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If ad networks use third party cookies for cross-site tracking, then advertising targeting capability is improved, but browser privacy restrictions block this approach
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ad network domain into multiple subdomains (e.g., ad1.adnetwork.com, ad2.adnetwork.com) that are hosted on different servers. Each subdomain can set first-party cookies independently, allowing the ad network to track users across multiple websites without requiring third-party cookie permissions. This segmentation enables cross-site tracking while maintaining compliance with browser privacy settings that restrict third-party cookies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces subdomains as intermediary entities between the ad network and user browsers. These subdomains act as mediators that can set cookies on behalf of the ad network while appearing as first-party cookies to the browser. The subdomains facilitate cross-site tracking by enabling cookie setting on external websites without triggering third-party cookie restrictions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If browsers are configured to allow only first party cookies, then user privacy is protected, but ad networks lose access to behavioral advertising data
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of trying to set cookies from the ad network's main domain (which would be blocked as third-party), the patent inverts the approach by having external websites set cookies from the ad network's subdomains. When a website embeds content from adnetwork.com/subdomain, the browser allows the subdomain to set a first-party cookie because it appears to originate from the visited website, not from the ad network directly. This inversion enables data collection while maintaining privacy protections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the domain parameter of cookies from the ad network's main domain to its subdomains. By modifying the cookie domain from adnetwork.com to ad1.adnetwork.com or ad2.adnetwork.com, the system transforms what would be third-party cookies into first-party cookies in the browser's view. This parameter change allows the ad network to collect behavioral data while complying with privacy settings that restrict third-party cookie access.
3Area of stationary object
If ad networks set cookies across multiple partner websites, then advertising reach is expanded, but cookie domain restrictions prevent cross-domain access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates subdomains that serve multiple functions: they can be hosted on different servers for load distribution, can set cookies on multiple partner websites, and can all report back to the central ad network. Each subdomain acts as an independent entity that can independently set cookies across the ad network's partner website network, providing universal coverage without requiring separate cookie management for each domain.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested domain structure where subdomains (ad1.adnetwork.com, ad2.adnetwork.com) are nested within the main ad network domain (adnetwork.com). This nested structure allows the subdomains to operate independently for cookie setting purposes while still being part of the overall ad network infrastructure. The nesting enables hierarchical cookie management where each level can independently manage its own cookies while contributing to the broader advertising system.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed for accessing first party Internet cookies. One method includes receiving, over an electronic network, a request for an electronic advertisement or an Internet cookie, wherein the request is received in response to a user requesting content from a subdomain of an advertising entity domain; and sending, to a device associated with the user, an Internet cookie having the subdomain of the advertising entity domain. The method further includes receiving, from the device associated with the user, a request for content from the subdomain of the advertising entity domain, wherein the request is received in response to the user requesting content from a domain of an online publisher; and accessing data stored in the Internet cookie sent to the device associated with the user.