Mobile App Installation Tracking via Shared Memory
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for tracking installations of client applications on mobile devices through application stores do not provide advertisers with information on whether a user interacted with their advertisement and subsequently installed the application, as the installation process occurs outside the third-party system's control.
Innovation Solution
A social networking system identifies client application installations on mobile devices by storing an indication in a shared memory location, which is then retrieved and transmitted along with user identifying information to the social networking system, allowing for conversion tracking and reporting of advertising metrics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If installation tracking is performed through application store, then installation process is managed automatically, but advertising conversion information is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by embedding a tracking indicator in the application data before installation. The social networking system includes instructions that cause the application store to store an indication in shared memory location before the application is fully installed, enabling subsequent retrieval of conversion information without interfering with the automatic installation process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses shared memory location as an intermediary between the application store and the social networking application. The indication of installation is stored in this intermediate location, allowing the social networking application to retrieve conversion information without directly accessing the application store's internal processes
2Measurement precision
If cookie-based tracking is used, then user interaction can be tracked, but native applications cannot access cookies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a copy of the tracking mechanism by using shared memory location instead of cookies. Since native applications cannot access cookies, the system copies the essential tracking functionality into a format (shared memory indication) that native applications can access, thereby maintaining measurement precision while adapting to the constraints of native application environments
3Loss of information
If conversion tracking is implemented, then advertising metrics improve, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential tracking element (indication of installation) from the complex application installation process. By isolating just the critical information needed for conversion tracking and storing it in a simple shared memory location, the system recovers conversion information without requiring complex tracking infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies self-service by having the application store automatically store the indication in shared memory location as part of its normal installation process. The social networking application then retrieves this information independently, reducing the need for complex centralized tracking mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
An application executing on a mobile device, such as an application associated with a social networking system provides a link to install a third-party application. The link may be presented in an advertisement, and the link is used to retrieve data comprising a client application for execution by the mobile device. To track installations, the client application stores an indication that the client application was installed in a shared memory location on the mobile device, as native applications do not have access to cookies. A social networking application executing on the mobile device retrieves the indication the client application was installed from the shared memory location and communicates it to a social networking system for storing in a user profile.