Social Network Content Ranking via Close Contact Comment Timestamps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Social networking services often rank content items chronologically, causing content items with comments from close social contacts to be lower in visibility, making it difficult for users to interact with them.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that updates the ranking of content items in a stream based on the upload time of comments from close contacts, using a predetermined equation to prioritize content items with higher affinity levels, ensuring that content items with comments from close contacts are more prominently displayed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If content items are ranked according to chronological order based on upload time, then the stream maintains simplicity and chronological accuracy, but content items with comments from close social contacts become less visible and harder to interact with
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the ranking parameter from purely chronological upload time to a composite parameter that incorporates both upload time and comment timing. When a close social contact comments on content, the content item's effective ranking time is updated to reflect the comment timestamp, thereby increasing its visibility in the stream without completely abandoning chronological ordering
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-identifies close social contacts and their affinity levels with the user. When content is uploaded, the system proactively checks for comments from these identified close contacts and adjusts rankings accordingly, rather than waiting for user complaints or manual intervention
2Productivity
If content items with close contact comments are prioritized in the stream, then user engagement increases, but the chronological ordering of the stream is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial prioritization rather than complete reordering. Only content items that receive comments from close social contacts have their positions adjusted, while other content items maintain their chronological positions. This selective intervention preserves overall stream stability while achieving engagement goals for specific high-value content
3Quantity of substance
If the stream includes all content items from the candidate set, then completeness is maintained, but content items without close contact comments remain hidden among numerous other items
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different visibility qualities to different content items based on their characteristics. Content items with comments from close social contacts receive enhanced local quality (prominent positioning, potential visual indicators) while maintaining their presence in the overall stream, allowing them to stand out without removing other content items
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for increasing a visibility of a content item with a comment by a close contact are provided. In some aspects, a first content item is received. A ranking for the first content item in a stream for a viewing user is determined based on an upload time of the first content item. A comment for the first content item is received from a first user, where a predicted affinity level of the viewing user for the first user is within an affinity level range. In response to receiving the comment, the ranking for the first content item in the stream for the viewing user is updated based on an upload time of the comment. The stream is provided for the viewing user.