Link-Search Interface for Embedding External Content in Social Posts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Social networking systems lack an efficient method for users to embed links to external content within their user-created content, requiring users to switch between applications for sharing links, which is inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A composer user interface is provided in mobile devices that allows users to search and embed links to web pages, multimedia content, or social-network pages directly within their posts, using a link-search interface that suggests matching content objects based on user input, eliminating the need to switch between applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users switch between applications to share links, then link sharing capability is achieved, but user convenience deteriorates and time loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the link-sharing functionality into the social networking application by integrating a link-search interface and web index access directly within the app. Users can now search for and embed links to external content without leaving the social networking application, combining multiple functions (social networking, web searching, link embedding) into a single unified interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The social networking application is enhanced with multi-functionality by adding link embedding capabilities. The application now serves not only as a social networking platform but also as a web search tool and link management system, allowing users to perform diverse tasks including posting content, searching web content, and embedding external links all within the same application environment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a link-search interface with web index is integrated, then link embedding capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a link-search interface as an intermediary component that mediates between the user and the complex web index system. This interface layer simplifies user interaction by providing a user-friendly search mechanism that automatically queries the web index and presents results in an easily selectable format, hiding the underlying complexity of web index querying and link embedding operations.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, from a link-search interface of a client device, a search query from a first user of an online social network. The link-search interface is associated with a composer interface in which the first user is composing a first post. The method further includes searching a web index of an online social network to identify one or more external objects matching a search query. The web index identifies a plurality of external objects hosted by third-party systems that have been posted to the online social network, and each search result comprises a reference to the respective external object and a link to the external object. The method further includes embedding, in the first post, a link to a first external object referenced by a first search result selected by the first user.