Configurable Web Feed System for Custom Content Aggregation
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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 and system 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 analyze content extensions to be displayed based on the web page's content, allowing for customizable and unified content feeds across different platforms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a closed proprietary system like Facebook is used for content feeds, then content display control is centralized and consistent, but user, publisher, and advertiser control over content and extensions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments control authority between publishers and third-party content feed entities. Publishers select content extensions and analyze web page content, while third-party entities select content extension content. This segmentation allows both parties to have control over different aspects of the feed system, resolving the contradiction between centralized control and distributed adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms the static, closed proprietary model into a dynamic, configurable model where control rights are distributed and adjustable. Publishers can dynamically select which content extensions to display, and third-party entities can dynamically select content based on publisher preferences and web page analysis, creating a flexible system that adapts to different needs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If standardized content feeds are used across platforms, then consistency is maintained, but customization for different publishers and users is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Publishers perform preliminary actions by selecting their preferred content extensions and configuring their preferences before third-party entities generate the feed. This preliminary configuration enables automatic content selection later, making customization straightforward while maintaining ease of operation through automated processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service where publishers configure their own feed preferences and third-party entities automatically select appropriate content based on web page analysis and publisher preferences. This automated self-service approach provides extensive customization without requiring complex manual configuration, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and ease of operation.
3Loss of information
If users navigate to multiple websites to access relevant information, then comprehensive content access is achieved, but network traffic increases and access time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges content from multiple destination feed locations into a single unified feed displayed on the publisher's web page. Users can access relevant information from multiple sources without navigating to multiple websites, as all content is aggregated and presented in one location, reducing both network traffic and access time while maintaining comprehensive information access.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes retrieving and displaying related content as part of a configurable feed in association with a web page hosted at a host server associated with a publisher. A selection tool allows for navigation to the configurable feed, selection of destination feed locations for the configurable feed, and may provide login to a feed service for the configurable feed.