Importance

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Abstract

A method and apparatus for processing user information. Information collection is increasingly utilized by advertisers and others that desire to customize a user's display for the user's individual preferences. According to one ore more embodiments of the invention, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) or proxies owned by an ISP collect and store information regarding particular users in a user profile. The information may include demographic information such as the user's age, residence, credit history, etc. Additionally, the information may include the web sites that the user has accessed, the time spent on each web site, and any internet searches performed by the user. The profile information may be utilized by the proxy to conduct targeted advertising, the information may be provided to a web host so that the web host may conduct targeted advertising, or the information may be utilized to customize a user's display, for example. The profile information may also be utilized to associate a cost with certain demographic information. For example, if the profile information indicates that the user is interested in automobiles, a premium may be charged to an automobile advertiser. The profile information may be evaluated by the ISP for advertisement insertion or customized displays. Alternatively, the profile information may be sold to a third party such as an advertiser. Thus, the profile and demographic information can be utilized to individually customize information displayed to a client.

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First Claim