Query-Based Identifiers for Cross-Session Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional techniques for controlled experiments in distributed computing environments face challenges in unbiased user partitioning and cross-session response correlation, as they rely on client-side identifiers that can introduce bias and are session-specific, making it difficult to obtain valid results.
Innovation Solution
The system employs search parameter-based query identifiers for client-agnostic partitioning of search queries and cross-session response tracking, generating a query identifier based on search parameters to select and update search results, allowing for unbiased assignment and correlation across sessions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If client-side identifiers (cookies, session identifiers) are used for user partitioning, then user assignment to test versions can be implemented, but the assignment becomes biased when users clear cookies or initiate new sessions with different client devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server-generated query identifier as an intermediary mechanism that decouples user partitioning from client-side identifiers. Instead of relying on cookies or session identifiers stored on client devices, the system assigns users to test versions based on query identifiers generated by the server, which remain consistent across sessions and client devices. This intermediary approach eliminates bias introduced by client-side identifier management while enabling reliable cross-session response correlation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the partitioning logic from client-side identifiers and relocates it to server-side query identifiers. By removing dependence on client-stored cookies and session identifiers, the system eliminates the vulnerability to user-induced bias (such as clearing cookies) while maintaining the ability to track and correlate user responses across multiple sessions and devices.
2Ease of operation
If session identifiers based on client-specific parameters are used, then session management is simplified, but the ability to correlate partitions with subsequent responses across different sessions and client devices is frustrated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the query identifier universal by generating it on the server side based on search parameters rather than client-specific parameters. This universal identifier can be consistently applied across different client devices, network connections, and applications, enabling the system to maintain partition correlation data throughout the entire customer journey regardless of how users access the service.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary assignment of users to test versions at the point of query generation, before the user initiates any specific session or uses any particular client device. By establishing the partition assignment early based on server-generated query identifiers, the system ensures that subsequent responses can be reliably correlated with the original assignment across multiple sessions and devices.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for cross-session response tracking in a distributed computing environment using query identifiers generated based on search parameters. A search query including search parameters is received from a client device. A query identifier for the search query is generated based on the search parameters. One version of a search result among multiple versions of the search result is selected based on the query identifier and sent to the client device. A record in a transaction database is correlated with the selected version of the search result using the query identifier.