Single URL Ad Tracking Without Redirection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional advertisement tracking systems use multiple redirection links, leading to a disruptive user experience, increased time to view advertisement content, and exposure of tracking information to the public, which can be exploited by malicious users.
Innovation Solution
Generating a single URL to direct users to a landing page and asynchronously tracking advertisement events using augmented URL calls and HTTP headers, keeping tracking internal and away from public visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If multiple redirection links are used to track advertisement context, then tracking information is provided, but user experience is disrupted and time to view content increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments tracking information into two categories: essential tracking data embedded in the final URL and redundant tracking data eliminated from redirection links. This allows retaining necessary tracking capabilities while removing unnecessary redirection steps that cause delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary tracking by embedding all necessary tracking parameters in the final destination URL before the user arrives. This preliminary action eliminates the need for subsequent redirection links, allowing direct access to content while maintaining tracking functionality.
2Loss of information
If multiple redirection links are used for tracking, then advertisement context is tracked, but user experience quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts essential tracking information from multiple redirection links and consolidates it into a single final URL. This extraction process removes the disruptive redirection experience while preserving the advertisement context tracking functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges multiple tracking functions into a single consolidated tracking mechanism using the final destination URL. This combines advertisement context tracking, user identification, and content delivery into one seamless operation, improving user experience while maintaining tracking capabilities.
3Loss of information
If redirection links are used for tracking, then tracking data is collected, but sensitive information is exposed to the public
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where tracking information is passed through server-side processing rather than being exposed in visible redirection URLs. The tracking data is transmitted through HTTP headers and server-side logic, acting as an intermediary that protects sensitive information from public exposure while maintaining tracking functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter representation of tracking information from visible URL components to server-side HTTP headers and internal data structures. This parameter transformation maintains the integrity and utility of tracking data while rendering it invisible and inaccessible to malicious users who can only observe the final URL.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and computer storage media are provided for tracking an advertisement using a single URL without redirection. When an ad event is received on a client-computing device, a single URL is determined to provide content for the item and to track the ad event, the URL identifying a domain server. A parameter related to the ad event is determined and encoded as a part of the URL or as a HTTP header. The URL is called, causing the domain server to extract the parameter from the URL or the HTTP header and asynchronously request tracking of the ad event. Additionally, the content for the item is received from the domain server.