Causal Exposure Estimation for Ad Frequency and Timing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing online advertising campaigns face challenges in accurately measuring the effectiveness of content exposure levels, leading to underexposure or overexposure of audiences due to high percentages of consumers receiving minimal or non-viewable advertisements.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for estimating the causal effect of content exposure levels by analyzing user data to determine optimal exposure frequency and time, using a hardware processor to segment users into test and control groups, and adjusting content presentation based on lift analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple advertising channels are used to deliver advertisements to consumers, then the reach and potential conversions increase, but the complexity of measuring causal effects and determining channel effectiveness increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconversion rateVSAvoidmeasurement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments users into treatment groups (exposed to advertisements) and control groups (not exposed) based on their assignment to different advertising channels. This segmentation enables isolated measurement of each channel's causal effect on conversions, resolving the complexity of measuring effectiveness across multiple channels simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary measurement system that uses statistical models and algorithms to isolate and attribute conversions to specific advertising channels. This intermediary layer filters out confounding factors and provides clear causal attribution, simplifying the measurement complexity while maintaining accuracy across multiple channels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If content exposure frequency is increased to improve campaign effectiveness, then conversion opportunities increase, but the risk of overexposure and audience fatigue increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecampaign effectivenessVSAvoidaudience fatigue
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically adjusts content exposure frequency based on measured causal effects and audience response. By continuously monitoring conversion rates and causal lift across different exposure levels, the system optimizes exposure frequency in real-time, preventing overexposure while maintaining campaign effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where causal effect measurements from treatment and control groups inform subsequent exposure decisions. The system uses this feedback to determine optimal exposure frequencies that maximize conversions while avoiding audience fatigue, creating a self-regulating exposure system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If content exposure time is extended to enhance message delivery, then ad recall and conversion potential improve, but the total advertising cost and resource consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconversion potentialVSAvoidadvertising cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of exposure time by testing different duration levels in treatment groups and measuring causal effects on conversions. By identifying the optimal exposure time that maximizes conversion potential per unit cost, the system reduces unnecessary resource consumption while maintaining or improving conversion rates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates an inert measurement environment using control groups that are not exposed to advertisements, allowing for pure measurement of the causal effect of exposure time. This isolated measurement environment enables accurate determination of the minimum effective exposure time, eliminating wasteful spending on excessive exposure durations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

4Ease of operation

If traditional conversion rate measurement is used to evaluate advertising channels, then simple attribution is achieved, but accurate causal effect estimation is compromised due to confounding factors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattribution simplicityVSAvoidcausal effect accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-assigning users to treatment and control groups before the advertising campaign begins. This pre-randomization ensures that confounding factors are evenly distributed across groups, enabling accurate causal effect estimation while maintaining operational simplicity in the actual campaign execution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a copied control environment where control groups replicate the conditions of treatment groups except for the advertisement exposure. This copying approach allows for accurate causal measurement by comparing identical scenarios with and without exposure, achieving both measurement precision and operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS20250348900A1Methods, systems, and media for estimating the causal effect of different content exposure levels
Publication Date: 2025.11.13 INTEGRAL AD SCIENCE INC
  • US20250348900A1 patent drawing
  • US20250348900A1 patent drawing
  • US20250348900A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Methods, systems, and media for estimating the causal effect of different content exposure levels are provided.