Configurable Web Feed Aggregation via Publisher Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current online content feed systems, such as those used by Facebook, are closed and proprietary, limiting user, publisher, and advertiser control over content and extensions, and do not allow for a customized user experience for feeds displayed at the bottom of web articles.
Innovation Solution
A method for retrieving and displaying relevant content as part of a configurable feed on a publisher's web page, where publishers and third-party content feed entities select and customize content extensions based on web page analysis, allowing for unified content aggregation from different sources and platforms, enabling user interaction and improved network traffic management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a closed proprietary system like Facebook is used for content feeds, then content aggregation and display capability is provided, but control over content selection and display method is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a publisher server as an intermediary between content sources and users. This server receives content from multiple sources, analyzes it using machine learning models, and selectively displays relevant content extensions on publisher-controlled web pages. This intermediary architecture enables publishers to maintain control over content selection and display while aggregating content from diverse sources, resolving the contradiction between system openness and control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the content feed functionality into independent components: content sources, publisher servers, machine learning analysis modules, and display interfaces. Each component operates independently with defined interfaces, allowing publishers to control their own feed configuration while the system as a whole maintains versatility in content aggregation. This segmentation enables both control and adaptability simultaneously.
2Adaptability or versatility
If third party content feed companies are used, then content aggregation service is provided, but publisher-customized user experience is not allowed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic feed configuration where publishers can adjust content selection criteria, display parameters, and content extension types based on their specific needs and user feedback. The machine learning models are continuously trained and adapted to improve content relevance. This dynamic configuration capability allows publishers to customize user experiences while maintaining ease of operation through automated optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows publishers to modify multiple parameters including content relevance thresholds, display layout configurations, content extension types, and targeting criteria. These parameter changes enable customized user experiences without requiring complex system reconfiguration, as the platform provides user-friendly interfaces for adjusting feed parameters while the underlying machine learning models adapt accordingly.
3Productivity
If content extensions are added to enhance user interaction, then user engagement is improved, but network traffic and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of content and user preferences using machine learning models before generating content extensions. By pre-processing and pre-filtering content on the publisher server, the system reduces the amount of data that needs to be transmitted to users, thereby decreasing network traffic while maintaining high user engagement through relevant, pre-selected content extensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements caching mechanisms where content extensions and their associated data are stored locally on publisher servers and user devices. Instead of repeatedly transmitting the same content extension data over the network, the system serves cached copies, significantly reducing network traffic while maintaining fast access to engaging content extensions for users.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of retrieving and displaying relevant content as part of a configurable feed in association with a web page hosted at a host server associated with a publisher includes: selecting a plurality of different content extensions having different content extension types to be displayed in association with the web page, wherein the web page is located at a particular URL; analyzing the web page for content to determine information about the web page; receiving a request for the URL of the web page; and based on the request and the analysis, selecting a plurality of content extension content corresponding respectively to the plurality of different content extensions and for display in a browser with the web page. The selection of the plurality of different content extensions may be made at least in part by the publisher, and the selection of the content extension content may be made at least in part by a third party content feed entity different from the publisher.