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Google Seeking "FriendRank" Patent

Posted by kdawson on from the at-least-it's-not-pigeons dept.

theodp writes "In its just-published patent application for Network Node Ad Targeting, Google hatches plans for identifying the most influential of a circle of friends and providing this 'influencer' with 'financial incentives from advertisers in exchange for permission to display advertisements on the member's [social network] profile' (sound familiar, Jeremy?). Doing so will 'provide advertisers with the option of targeting either all members in the community or advertising only on the profile of the influencer, thereby targeting the entire community,' explains Google. Who says you can't buy friendship!"

2 of 80 comments (clear)

  1. Re:The novel parts by sir_eccles · · Score: 2, Informative

    In a way you're right. The claims are important but it would be more correct to say "the claims of the granted patent are what matter".

    At this stage being an application, the claims are written as broadly as possible. It is likely that should it be granted the claims will be much narrower, possibly bringing in features only found in the description.

    When reading a claim you read it "in light of the description". Which means if you see a term in the claim, there is likely a paragraph or two in the description which fleshes it out and gives it context. Therefore you can learn more by reading the description at this stage.

  2. isn't this redundant? by tommeke100 · · Score: 1, Informative

    I just checked Facebook and MySpace and both already have advertising on their pages (probably somewhat based on your profile). What's the difference with adding advertisement on those popular profiles? they already have advertisements on them! That Tom dude on MySpace is gonna make a ton, though :-)