Social Network Content Distribution Authorization Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional social networking systems lack the ability to allow users to control who receives their shared content items, leading to widespread distribution that can discourage user interactions.
Innovation Solution
A social networking system that enables users to specify and authorize specific users to receive their content items, using a user identifier system to manage authorized users and regulate content sharing, allowing users to explicitly or implicitly identify recipients based on connections and preferences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the social networking system shares content items with every user connected to the sender, then the content item distribution is maximized, but user interaction is discouraged due to widespread distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the distribution of content items based on the relationship between the sender and each recipient. Instead of uniform distribution to all connected users, the system selectively distributes content items to specific users based on sender-specified recipient lists, creating localized, targeted distribution that maintains interaction quality while achieving meaningful reach.
2Ease of operation
If the user specifies particular recipients for content items, then user interaction quality is improved through targeted sharing, but content item distribution reach is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by allowing the sender to dynamically specify and modify the list of intended recipients for each content item. The system adapts the distribution scope based on sender preferences, enabling flexible control over content sharing while maintaining the ability to reach appropriate audiences. This dynamic approach balances targeted interaction quality with adaptable distribution reach.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the social networking system maintains authorization information for content sharing, then user control over content distribution is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling users to autonomously manage their own content sharing preferences and recipient specifications. The system provides tools for users to independently control which users can receive their content items, eliminating the need for complex centralized authorization management. This self-service approach enhances user control while minimizing system complexity by leveraging existing user profile and connection data.
Data Source
AI summary
A social networking system user identifies one or more social networking system users authorized to present content items to the user via the social networking system (“authorized users”). When an additional user requests presentation of a content item to the user, the social networking system determines if the additional user is an authorized user. If the additional user is an authorized user, the content item is presented to the user. However, if the additional user is not an authorized user, the social networking system identifies the additional user to the user along with a request to identify the additional user as an authorized user. If the user identifies the additional user as an authorized user in response to the request, the content item is presented to the user.