Method, computer system, and stored program for accumulating descriptive profile data along with source information for use in targeting third-party advertisements

摘要

A method of accumulating descriptive profile data uses a databank that can be contacted by profile providers who contribute profile elements about an online visitor. The method includes keeping track of which profile provider contributed which elements, so that use of particular elements in targeting electronic third-party advertisements automatically can result in compensation.

主权项

1. An automated method of collecting profiles of Internet-using entities, the method comprising:
(a) electronically receiving at a programmed computer system coupled to a global computer network, from at least one server controlled by one of a plurality of unaffiliated third parties, a partial profile of an entity that uses a user computer coupled to the global computer network and accessing a website, which partial profile is available to one of the third parties and contains at least one profile attribute related to the entity; (b) automatically with the computer system electronically storing the received partial profile by adding the received partial profile to an electronically stored profile, which stored profile is believed to be related to the same entity; (c) wherein receiving the partial profile is achieved as a result of automatic electronic URL redirection from a portion of a page of the website accessed by the user computer; and (d) automatically with the computer system generating an electronic record of which of the plurality of unaffiliated third parties contributed to the stored profile particular profile attributes; (e) wherein the stored profile, including the added partial profile, comprises data used in targeting third-party advertisements to the user computer over the global computer network.