WO2013097054A1

WO2013097054A1 - Providing revenues to users affiliated with a sales reward system

Info

Publication number: WO2013097054A1
Application number: PCT/CN2011/002230
Authority: WO
Inventors: Shen-Chang Tseng; Yi Hung WENG; Jing-Syue TAN
Original assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
Priority date: 2011-12-29
Filing date: 2011-12-29
Publication date: 2013-07-04

Abstract

Techniques are described herein for rewarding members affiliated with a sales reward system with a portion of revenues from the purchase of goods and/or services resulting from advertisements placed by the members on various Web sites. The portion of revenues is provided by the suppliers of the goods and/or services which the advertisements promote. The portion of revenues rewarded to a member depends on the number of purchase transactions made as a result of the advertisements placed by the member. For example, if the number of purchase transactions reaches a designated goal (e.g., a threshold set by the supplier), the member receives a portion of revenues that is greater than the portion of revenues that is received if the goal is not reached.

Description

PROVIDING REVENUES TO USERS AFFILIATED WITH A SALES

REWARD SYSTEM

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to providing revenues related to online advertising over a computer network.

Background

[0002] A substantial percentage of current worldwide e-commerce revenues are attributable to affiliate marketing. Affiliate marketing involves e-commerce merchants paying affiliates to direct Internet users, or network "traffic," to the merchants' web sites. Affiliates create hyperlinks using a variety of techniques to encourage traffic to visit merchant sites or "click-through" to the sites. Merchants are willing to pay the affiliates for traffic, for example when Internet users click-through to a site (referred to as a "cost-per-click" or "CPC" basis of payment).

[0003] One drawback to such a sales technique is that "click throughs" often do not result in sales, and therefore the CPC commissions may not necessarily reward affiliates based upon performance. As such, affiliates tend to discontinue participation in affiliate marketing programs when the affiliates realize the rewards are relatively small. Another drawback is that affiliate members often lack direction as to where to place the hyperlinks that direct Internet users to merchant Web sites. As a result, affiliate members may excessively post hyperlinks in seemingly random places throughout the Internet in hopes that the increase in exposure of the hyperlinks may lead to a larger number of click throughs. Unfortunately, this seemingly random posting pattern is often disregarded as spam and ignored by a majority of the Internet community. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Various approaches are described herein for, among other things, rewarding members affiliated with a sales reward system with a portion of revenues from the purchase of goods and/or services resulting from advertisements placed by the members on various Web sites. The portion of revenues is provided by the suppliers of the goods and/or services which the advertisements promote. In example embodiments, the portion of revenues rewarded to a member depends on the number of purchase transactions made as a result of the advertisements placed by the member. For example, if the number of purchase transactions reaches a certain goal (e.g., a threshold set by the supplier), then the member may receive a portion of revenues that is greater than the portion of revenues that would be received if the goal is not reached.

[0005] An example method is described in which version(s) of an advertisement to be posted on designated web site(s) is provided. Each of the version(s) of the advertisement advertises good(s) and/or service(s). A user identifier is assigned to each of the version(s). Each user identifier indicates a respective designated user that is to post the corresponding version of the advertisement on the designated web site(s). A purchase indicator is received for each purchase transaction of a plurality of purchase transactions in which the good(s) and/or service(s) are purchased using a corresponding version of the advertisement. Each purchase indicator includes the user identifier that is assigned to the corresponding version and a site identifier that indicates a web site on which the corresponding version is posted. First subset(s) of the plurality of purchase transactions are determined. Each first subset includes purchase transaction(s) that correspond to respective purchase indicator(s) that include respective user identifier(s) that indicate a respective common designated user. A test is performed for each first subset of the plurality of purchase transactions to determine a specified portion of revenues, which result from the respective first subset, that is to be provided to the common designated user that corresponds to the respective first subset. The specified portion is a first portion or a second portion. The second portion is greater than the first portion. The test performed makes a determination whether a number of the good(s) and/or service(s) that are purchased in each first subset reaches a threshold.

[0006] A system is described that includes advertisement logic, identification logic, reduction logic, purchase logic determination logic, and revenue logic. The advertisement logic is configured to provide version(s) of an advertisement to be posted on designated web site(s). Each of the version(s) of the advertisement advertises good(s) and/or service(s). The identification logic is configured to assign user identifier to each of the version(s). Each user identifier indicates a respective designated user that is to post the corresponding version of the advertisement on the designated web site(s). The purchase logic is configured to receive a purchase indicator for each purchase transaction of a plurality of purchase transactions in which the good(s) and/or service(s) are purchased using a corresponding version of the advertisement. Each purchase indicator includes the user identifier that is assigned to the corresponding version and a site identifier that indicates a web site on which the corresponding version is posted. The determination logic is configured to determine first subset(s) of plurality of purchase transactions. Each first subset includes purchase transaction(s) that correspond to respective purchase indicator (s) that include respective user identifier(s) that indicate a respective common designated user. The revenue logic is configured to perform a test for each first subset of the plurality of purchase transactions to determine a specified portion of revenues, which result from the respective first subset, that is to be provided to the common designated user that corresponds to the respective first subset. The specified portion is a first portion or a second portion. The second portion is greater than the first portion. The test performed makes a determination whether a number of the good(s) and/or service(s) that are purchased in each first subset reaches a threshold.

[0007] An example computer program product is described that includes a computer- readable medium having computer program logic recorded thereon for enabling a processor-based system to provide revenues to users affiliated with a sales reward system. The computer program product includes a first, second, third, fourth and fifth program logic modules. The first program logic module is for enabling the processor- based system to provide version(s) of an advertisement to be posted on designated web site(s). Each of the version(s) of the advertisement advertises good(s) and/or service(s). The second program logic module is for enabling the processor-based system to assign user identifier to each of the version(s). Each user identifier indicates a respective designated user that is to post the corresponding version of the advertisement on the designated web site(s). The third program logic module is for enabling the processor-based system to interpret a purchase indicator for each purchase transaction of the plurality of purchase transactions in which the good(s) and/or service(s) are purchased using a corresponding version of the advertisement. Each purchase indicator includes the user identifier that is assigned to the corresponding version and a site identifier that indicates a web site on which the corresponding version is posted. The fourth program logic module is for enabling the processor-based system to determine first subset(s) of the plurality of purchase transactions. Each first subset includes purchase transaction(s) that correspond to respective purchase indicator(s) that include respective user identifier(s) that indicate a respective common designated user. The fifth program logic module is for enabling the processor-based system to perform a test for each first subset to determine a specified portion of revenues, which result from the respective first subset, that is to be provided to the common designated user that corresponds to the respective first subset. The specified portion is a first portion or a second portion. The second portion is greater than the first portion. The test performed makes a determination whether a number of the good(s) and/or service(s) that are purchased in each first subset reaches a threshold.

Further features and advantages of the disclosed technologies, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is noted that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein. Such embodiments are presented herein for illustrative purposes only. Additional embodiments will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES

(0009] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles involved and to enable a person skilled in the relevant art(s) to make and use the disclosed technologies.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example system in accordance with an embodiment described herein.

[0011] FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart of an example method for providing revenues to users affiliated with a sales reward system in accordance with embodiments described herein.

[0012] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of an example method for adjusting a total number of purchase transactions in response to determining that a previously purchased good and/or service has been returned in accordance with embodiments described herein.

[0013] FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart of an example method for determining on which

Web sites a user affiliated with a sales reward is to post one or more advertisements in accordance with the embodiment herein.

[0014] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example implementation of a sales reward system shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment described herein.

[0015] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a computer in which embodiments may be implemented.

[0016] The features and advantages of the disclosed technologies will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which like reference characters identify corresponding elements throughout. In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or structurally similar elements. The drawing in which an element first appears is indicated by the leftmost digit(s) in the corresponding reference number. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION I. Introduction

[0017] The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings that illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, but is instead defined by the appended claims. Thus, embodiments beyond those shown in the accompanying drawings, such as modified versions of the illustrated embodiments, may nevertheless be encompassed by the present invention.

[0018] References in the specification to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "an example embodiment," or the like, indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to implement such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

[0019] Example embodiments are capable of rewarding members affiliated with a sales reward system (i.e., affiliate members) with a portion of revenues from the purchase of goods and/or services resulting from advertisements placed by the affiliate members on various Web sites. The portion of revenues is provided by the suppliers of the goods and/or services which the advertisements promote. In example embodiments, the portion of revenues rewarded to an affiliate member depends on the number of purchase transactions made as a result of the advertisements placed by the affiliate member. For example, if the number of purchase transactions reaches a certain goal (e.g., a threshold set by the supplier), the affiliate member receives a portion of revenues that is greater than the portion of revenues that the affiliate member receives if the goal is not reached. [0020] Techniques described herein have a variety of benefits as compared to conventional techniques for providing revenues based on affiliate marketing. For instance, the techniques described herein allow for the distribution of a portion of revenues based on the performance of affiliate members. For example, if one or more advertisements posted by an affiliate member results in a number of purchase transactions that reach or exceed a goal set by a supplier, the supplier may reward the affiliate member with a portion of revenues that is greater than the portion of revenues that would be awarded if the goal is not reached. In addition, the techniques described herein may increase the chances of the good and/or service that is advertised to be purchased by determining from which Web sites the purchasers arc received, and subsequently directing the affiliate members to post advertisements on those Web sites. This may improve the search engine optimization (SEO) of supplier Web sites. As advertisements are posted on Web sites that have Internet users that are more likely to view the advertisement and purchase the good and/or service being advertised, more and more Internet users may search on the good and/or service, thereby increasing the SEO of supplier Web sites.

II. Example Embodiments

[0021] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system 100 in accordance with an embodiment described herein. Generally speaking, system 100 operates to reward affiliate members with a portion of revenues from the purchase of one or more commerce elements resulting from advertisements placed by the affiliate members on various Web sites. Each commerce element is a good or service. The portion of revenues is provided by the suppliers of the goods and/or services which the advertisements promote. In example embodiments, the portion of revenues rewarded to an affiliate member depends on the number of purchase transactions made as a result of the advertisements placed by the affiliate member. For example, if the number of purchase transactions reaches a certain goal (e.g., a threshold set by the supplier), the affiliate member receives a portion of revenues that is greater than the portion of revenues that the affiliate member receives if the goal is not reached. [0022] As shown in FIG. 1, system 100 includes a plurality of member systems

102A-102M, a plurality of user systems 106A-106N, a plurality of publisher servers 104A-104N, a Sales Reward System (SRS) 1 10 and a store 1 12. Communication among member systems 102A-102M, user systems 106A-106N, publisher servers 104A-104N, SRS 1 10 and store 1 12 is carried out over a network using well-known network communication protocols. The network may be a wide-area network (e.g., the Internet), a local area network (LAN), another type of network, or a combination thereof.

[0023] Member systems 102A-102M are computers or other processing systems each including one or more processors, that are capable of communicating with any one or more of publisher servers 104A-104N and/or SRS 1 10. For example, each of member systems 102A-102M may include a client that enables a user (e.g., an affiliate member) who owns (or otherwise has access to) the member system to access sites (e.g., Web sites) that are hosted by publisher server 104A-104N. For instance, a client may be a Web crawler, a Web browser, a non- Web-enabled client, or any other suitable type of client.

[0024] The client also allows affiliate members to access SRS 1 10. To become affiliated with SRS 1 10 and receive rewards, users may be required to initially register with SRS 1 10. Once registered, the user becomes an affiliate member. In example embodiments, an affiliate member registers with SRS 1 10 by creating an account with SRS 1 10. During the registration process, the affiliate member may create a unique user name or receive a unique user name from SRS 1 10. Upon registration, SRS 1 10 may provide advertisements to the affiliate member, which the affiliate member is to post on various Web sites. Such Web sites include, but are not limited to, blogs, microblogging Web sites (e.g., Twitter™), social networking Web sites (e.g.. Facebook™), and/or the like. Each of these Web sites may be managed by affiliate members or by other users not affiliated with SRS 1 10.

[0025] In example embodiments, an affiliate member may select which advertisements he or she would like to post on various Web sites chosen by the affiliate member. In other example embodiments, as will be discussed below, SRS 1 10 may direct the affiliate member to post the advertisements on Web sites designated by SRS 1 10.

[0026] By way of example, each of member systems 102-102M is shown in FIG. 1 to be communicatively coupled to publisher 1 server(s) 104A for the purpose of accessing a site published by publisher 1, and posting an advertisement on a site published by publisher 1. Persons skilled in the relevant art(s) will recognize that each of user systems 106A-106N is capable of connecting to any of publisher servers 104A-104N for accessing sites and posting advertisements on sites hosted thereon.

[0027] Publisher servers 104A-104N are computers or other processing systems, each including one or more processors, that are capable of communicating with user systems 106A-106N. Each of publisher servers 104A-104N is configured to host a site (e.g., a Web site) published by a corresponding publisher 1-N so that such site is accessible to users of system 100 via member systems 102A-102M and user systems 106A-106N. As previously mentioned, such sites include, but are not limited to, blogs, microblogging Web sites (e.g., Twitter™), social networking Web sites (e.g., Facebook™), and/or the like. Each of these Web sites may be managed by affiliate members or by other users not affiliated with the SRS 110.

[0028] Publisher servers 104A-104N are further configured to execute software programs that provide information to users in response to receiving requests, such as hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) requests, from users, instant messaging (IM) applications, or web-based email. For example, the information may include Web pages, images, other types of files, output of executables residing on the publisher servers, IM chat sessions, emails, etc. In accordance with this example, the software programs that are executing on publisher servers 104A-104N may provide Web pages and/or emails that include interface elements (e.g., buttons, widgets, hyperlinks, etc.) that a user may select for accessing the other types of information. The Web pages may be provided as hypertext markup language (HTML) documents and objects (e.g., files) that are linked therein, for example.

[0029] One such interface element may be associated with one or more advertisements displayed on a Web page. The one or more advertisements may include a hyperlink to the Web page of the supplier of the good and/or service for which the advertisement is advertising. A purchaser activates the hyperlink by selecting an advertisement. A purchaser may select the advertisement by clicking on the advertisement using an input device, such as a mouse, stylus, finger, etc. Upon selecting the advertisement, the purchaser is taken to the Web site of the supplier of the good and/or service that is specified by the hyperlink. Once there, the purchaser may purchase the good and/or service directly from the Web site of the supplier. The Web site of the supplier may also be hosted on one or more of publisher servers 104A-104N.

[0030] One type of software program that may be executed by any one or more of publisher servers 104A- 104N that host a Web page of the supplier is an identifier module. For instance, publisher 1 server(s) 104A is shown to include identifier module 108, which is configured to identify a user identifier and a site identifier. The user identifier identifies the affiliate member that posted the advertisement that resulted in the purchase of the good and/or service being advertised in the advertisement. The site identifier identifies a Web site on which the advertisement was posted. In example embodiments, identifier module 108 identifies the user identifier by parsing an HTTP request that is received upon the user selecting the advertisement. In this example embodiment, the HTTP request contains a referrer identification (ID), which identifies the affiliate member that posted the advertisement. As will be described below, the user identifier is included in the HTTP request by SRS 1 10. In one embodiment, the referrer ID is the user name associated with the affiliate member that is created when the affiliate member registers with SRS 1 10. In another embodiment, the referrer ID is an encrypted version of the user name associated with the affiliate member.

[0031] In example embodiments, identifier module 108 identifies the site identifier by parsing the HTTP request for an HTTP referrer, which identifies the Web page from which the user clicked on the advertisement. In one embodiment, the HTTP referrer may be located in the message header that is part of the HTTP request (e.g., the HTTP REFERER field). The HTTP referrer may be added to the HTTP request by the client upon a user clicking on the advertisement. [0032] In example embodiments, once a purchaser purchases a good and/or service via the Web page of the supplier, identifier module 108 generates a purchase indicator and transmits the purchase indicator to SRS 1 10. A purchase indicator is generated for each good and/or service purchased. Each purchase indicator includes the user identifier and the site identifier associated with the purchase transaction. For example, suppose a purchaser purchases five goods using an advertisement posted by an affiliate member having the user name "BobJones." Further suppose that the advertisement was posted on the affiliate member's personal blog, which is hosted by Live Journal™, a popular Web site for hosting blogs. In this case, identifier module 108 generates five purchase indicators. Each of the five purchase indicators has its respective user identifier set to "BobJones," and each of the five purchase indicators has its site identifier set to http:/ bobjones.livejournal.com.

[0033] In example embodiments, in the event that a purchaser returns a good and/or service, identifier module 108 generates a return indicator for each good and/or service returned. Each return indicator includes a user identifier that identifies the affiliate member that originally posted the advertisement that resulted in the purchase of the good and/or service that is being returned. As will be explained below, SRS 1 10 uses the return indicators to accurately determine the total number of purchase transactions that resulted in the one or more advertisements posted by an affiliate member.

[0034] User systems 106A-106N are computers or other processing systems each including one or more processors, that are capable of communicating with any one or more of publisher servers 104A-104N. For example, each of user systems 106A- 106N may include a client that enables a user who owns (or otherwise has access to) the user system to access sites (e.g., Web sites) that are hosted by publisher servers 104A-104N. For instance, a client may be a Web crawler, a Web browser, a non- Web-enabled client, or any other suitable type of client. By way of example, each of user systems 106A-106N is shown in FIG. 1 to be communicatively coupled to publisher 1 server(s) 104 A for the purpose of accessing a site published by publisher ! . Persons skilled in the relevant art(s) will recognize that each of user systems 106 A- 106N is capable of connecting to any of publisher servers 104A-104N for accessing the sites hosted thereon.

[0035] Users may access various Web sites that contain one or more advertisements posted by affiliate members using user systems 106A-106N. Such Web sites include blogs, microblogging Web sites (e.g., Twitter™), social networking Web sites (e.g., Facebook™), and/or the like. Each of these Web sites may be managed by affiliate members or by other users not affiliated with the SRS 110. Users may also access supplier Web sites to purchase goods and/or services offered on the supplier Web sites.

|0036] Although member systems 102A-102M and user systems 106A-106N are depicted as desktop computers in FIG. 1, persons skilled in the relevant art(s) will appreciate that member systems 102A-102M and user systems 106A-106N may include any browser-enabled system or device, including but not limited to a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant, a cellular telephone, or the like.

[0037] SRS 1 10 is a computer or other processing system, including one or more processors, that is capable of communicating with any one or more of publisher servers 104A-104N, member systems 102A-102M, and store 1 12. SRS 1 10 is capable of rewarding members affiliated with SRS 1 10 with a portion of revenues from the purchase of goods and/or services resulting from one or more advertisements placed by the affiliate members on various Web sites.

[0038] For each affiliate member, SRS 1 10 tracks the number of purchase transactions that result from the one or more advertisements posted by the affiliate member. For each purchase that results from such advertisements, SRS 1 10 provides a portion of revenues resulting from the purchase(s) of the goods and/or services. In one embodiment, SRS 1 10 provides a greater portion of revenues if the number of purchase transactions reaches (e.g., exceeds) a first threshold.

[0039] For example, suppose the first threshold is set to 100 purchase transactions.

Further suppose that the portion of revenues to be received by an affiliate member is 10% if the first threshold is not reached, and 15% is the first threshold is reached. In this case, as long as the number of purchase transactions made as a result of the one or more advertisements posted by the affiliate member remains less than 100, the affiliate member will receive 10% of the revenues resulting from the purchase transactions made using the one or more advertisements posted by the affiliate member. However, if the number of purchase transactions reaches 100, the affiliate member will receive 15% of the revenues resulting from the purchase transactions made using the advertisements posted by the affiliate member.

[0040] It is noted that the values used for the first threshold, the portion of revenues provided to an affiliate member if the first threshold is not reached, and the portion of revenues provided to an affiliate member if the first threshold is reached in the example above are provided for illustrative purposes and are not intended to be limiting. It will be recognized that any suitable values may be used.

[0041] In an example embodiment, the first threshold, the portion of revenues provided to an affiliate member if the threshold is not reached, and the portion of revenues provided to an affiliate member if the first threshold is reached may be exposed as configurable parameters to a system administrator (e.g., a supplier providing the goods and/or services for purchase) of SRS 110, thereby allowing the values of these parameters o be selected to achieve desired performance.

[0042] In example embodiments, SRS 1 10 may limit the time in which an affiliate member may reach the first threshold. For example SRS 1 10 may set a predetermined time interval, which indicates the amount of time an affiliate member has to reach the first threshold. If the number of purchase transactions made as a result of the one or more advertisements posted by an affiliate member reaches the first threshold before the predetermined time interval expires, then the affiliate member receives the greater portion of revenues. If the number of purchase transactions made as a result of the one or more advertisements posted by the affiliate member does not reach the threshold before the predetermined time interval expires, then the affiliate member receives the lesser portion of revenues.

[0043] In an example embodiment, the predetermined time interval may be exposed as a configurable parameter to a system administrator (e.g., a supplier providing the goods and/or services for purchase) of SRS 1 10, thereby allowing a duration of the predetermined time interval to be selected to achieve desired performance. [0044] The one or more advertisements to be placed by the affiliate members are provided to the affiliate members by SRS 1 10. For instance, a system administrator (e.g., a supplier providing the goods and/or services for purchase) may upload one or more advertisements to store 1 12. An affiliate member may then log into SRS 1 10 and select which one or more advertisements he or she would like to post on various Web sites. Upon selection, SRS 1 10 retrieves the selected one or more advertisements from store 1 12.

[0045] SRS 1 10 is further configured to associate each advertisement to be provided to an affiliate member with a user identifier that uniquely associates the affiliate member with the advertisement. By associating different user identifiers to the same advertisement, SRS 1 10 creates different versions of the same advertisement. For example, when a first affiliate member selects an advertisement he or she would like to post, SRS 1 10 may generate a user identifier that identifies the first affiliate member and may associate the user identifier to the advertisement provided to the first affiliate member. When a second affiliate member selects the same advertisement, SRS generates a user identifier that identifies the second affiliate member and associates the user identifier to the advertisement provided to the second affiliate member, thereby creating different versions of the same advertisement.

[0046] In example embodiments, the user identifier is the user name that an affiliate member creates to register with SRS 1 10. In other example embodiments, SRS 1 10 uses an encrypted version of the user name to be used as the user identifier. In accordance with this embodiment, SRS 1 10 may apply a hashing function to derive the encrypted version of the user name. Once the user identifier is generated, SRS 1 10 may append the user identifier (e.g., as a referrer ID) to the hyperlink associated with the advertisement.

[0047] As previously mentioned, once a purchaser purchases a good and/or service from a supplier's Web site, the supplier's Web site (in particular, the identifier module 108 executing on the supplier's Web site) transmits a purchase indicator for each good and/or service purchased to SRS 1 10. Using the number of purchase indicators received and the user identifier included in each purchase indicator, SRS 1 10 maintains a total number of purchase transactions resulting from the one or more advertisements posted for a particular good and/or service for each affiliate member. SRS 110 compares the total number of purchase transactions to the first threshold to determine the portion of revenues that an affiliate member is to receive. For example, if the total number of purchase transactions does not reach the first threshold, then the affiliate member receives a first portion of the revenues. If the total number of purchase transactions reaches the first threshold, then the affiliate member receives a second portion of the revenues, where the second portion is greater than the first portion.

In example embodiments, each purchase indicator remains in a pending state (i.e., the purchase transaction is pending) for a respective predetermined time interval. Each respective predetermined time interval begins upon receipt of a respective purchase indicator. During the pending state, SRS 110 determines whether the purchased good and/or service is returned by the purchaser. For example, in the event that a purchaser returns a good and/or service, SRS 1 10 receives a return indicator from identifier module 108 executing on a publisher server that hosts the supplier^'s Web site. As previously mentioned, a return indicator is received for each good and/or service returned. Each return indicator includes the user identifier that identifies the affiliate member that originally posted the advertisement that resulted in the purchase of the good and/or service that is being returned. If no return indicator is received within the predetermined time interval, then the purchase indicator changes to a finalized state, which represents that the purchase transaction is finalized (e.g., no longer pending). Once the purchase transaction is considered finalized, it is counted toward the total number of purchase transactions. However, if one or more return indicators are received within the respective predetermined time interval, then the total number of purchase transactions associated with the account of an affiliate member identified by the user identifier is decremented by the number of one or more return indicators received.

In an example embodiment, each predetermined time interval may be exposed as a configurable parameter to a system administrator (e.g., a supplier providing the goods and/or services for purchase) of SRS 110, thereby allowing a duration of the respective predetermined time interval to be selected to achieve desired performance. [0050] Using the site identifier, SRS 1 10 may determine from which Web sites the purchasers are coming. For instance, SRS 1 10 may determine that one or more advertisements posted on a specifed Web site have resulted in more purchase transactions than one or more advertisements posted on another Web site. In response, in an example embodiment, SRS 1 10 automatically notifies an affiliate member to post more advertisements on the specified Web site. For example, suppose SRS 1 10 may determine that of the 50 purchase transactions made from a designated advertisement posted on various Web sites by an affiliate member, 25 of the purchase transactions came from advertisements posted on Facebook™, 15 of the transactions came from Twitter™, and 10 purchase transactions came from the affiliate member's personal blog. In this example, SRS 1 10 determines that the majority of purchase transactions are coming from Facebook™. As a result, SRS 1 10 may automatically notify the affiliate member to post more advertisements on Facebook™. For example, SRS 1 10 may notify the affiliate member to post a designated number of advertisements on different Facebook™ walls of the affiliate member's Facebook ^{! M} friends.

(0051] In other example embodiments, SRS 1 10 maintains a log file that lists from which Web sites the purchasers are coming using the site identifier. A system administrator (e.g., a supplier providing the goods and/or services for purchase) may log into SRS 1 10 to view the log and manually decide on which Web site the the one or more advertisements should be posted. For example, if the log file indicates that a majority of the purchase transactions have resulted from one or more advertisements placed an affiliate member's personal blog, then the supplier may send a notification to the affiliate member to post a designated number of advertisements on the blogs of the affiliate member's followers.

[0052] In example embodiments, SRS 1 10 is configured to limit a number of affiliate members that receive the greater portion of revenues. For instance, SRS 1 ! 0 may set a second threshold, which limits the number of affiliate members that receive the greater portions of revenues. For example, if the second threshold is set to 10, the first 10 affiliate members whose numbers of purchase transactions reach the first threshold receive the greater portion of revenues. Other affiliate members whose numbers of purchase transactions reach the first threshold after the second threshold is reached do not receive the greater portion of revenues, but instead receive the lesser portion of revenues.

[0053] It is noted that the value used for the second threshold in the example above is provided for purposes of illustration and is not intended to be limiting. It will be recognized that any suitable value may be used,

[0054] In an example embodiment, the second threshold is exposed as a configurable parameter to a system administrator (e.g., a supplier providing the goods and/or services for purchase) of SRS 110, thereby allowing the value of the second threshold to be selected to achieve desired performance.

[0055] Store 1 12 stores advertisements that are uploaded by one or more suppliers.

SRS 1 10 retrieves one or more advertisements that are selected by affiliate members from store 1 12 so that the one or more advertisements may be posted on various Web sites by the affiliate members.

[0056] FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart 200 of an example method for providing revenues to users affiliated with a sales reward system in accordance with embodiments described herein. FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart 300 of an example method for adjusting a total number of purchase transactions in response to determining that a previously purchased good and/or service has been returned. FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart 400 of an example method for determining on which Web sites a user affiliated with a sales reward is to post one or more advertisements in accordance with the embodiment herein. Flowcharts 200, 300, and 400 may be performed by SRS 1 10, for example. For illustrative purposes, flowcharts 200, 300, and 400 are described with respect to SRS 500 shown in FIG. 5, which is an example of SRS 1 10, according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, SRS 500 includes advertisement logic 502, identification logic 504, purchase logic 506, determination logic 508, and revenue logic 510. Further structural and operational embodiments will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the discussion regarding flowcharts 200, 300, and 400.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 2, the method of flowchart 200 begins at step 202. In step

202, one or more versions of an advertisement to be posted one or more designated Web sites are provided to respective affiliate members. Each advertisement advertises one or more goods and/or services. In one example, different versions of the advertisement may include the same content, but merely correspond to different respective designated users. In another example, at least one of the one or more versions may include different content from other(s) of the one or more versions. In example embodiments, the one or more Web sites on which the one or more versions of the advertisement are to be posted are designated by the affiliate member. In an example implementation, advertisement logic 502 provides the one or more versions of the advertisements.

[0058] At step 204, a user identifier is assigned to each version of the advertisement.

Each user identifier indicates a respective designated user that is to post the corresponding version of the advertisement on the one or more designated Web sites. In example embodiments, the user identifier is the user name that an affiliate member creates in order to register with SRS 500. In other example embodiments, SRS 500 uses an encrypted version of the user name to be used as the user identifier. In an example implementation, identification logic 504 assigns the user identifier to each version of the advertisement.

[0059] At step 206, a purchase indicator for each transaction of a plurality of purchase transactions in which the one or more goods and/or services are purchased using a corresponding version of the one or more versions is received. Each purchase indicator includes the user identifier that is assigned to the corresponding version and a site identifier that indicates a Web site on which the corresponding version is posted. For instance, the site identifier may be an HTTP referrer, which identifies the Web page from which the user clicked on the advertisement. The HTTP referrer may be located in the message header that is part of the HTTP request (e.g., in the HTTP REFERER field). In an example implementation, purchase logic 506 receives the purchase indicator for each transaction.

[0060] At step 208, a number of purchase transactions associated with each designated user is determined. Specifically, one or more first subsets of the plurality of purchase transactions are determined. Each first subset includes one or more purchase transactions that correspond to one or more respective purchase indicators that include one or more respective user identifiers that indicate a respective common designated user. In an example implementation, determination logic 508 determines the number of purchase transactions associated with each designated user.

[0061] At step 210, a test is performed for each first subset of the plurality of purchase transactions to determine a specified portion of revenues, which result from the respective first subset. Each specified portion is to be provided to the common designated user that corresponds to the respective first subset. Each specified portion is either a first portion or a second portion, where the second portion is greater than the first portion. In an example implementation, revenue logic 510 performs the test.

[0062] In an example embodiment, performing the test includes determining whether a number of the one or more goods and/or services that are purchased in each first subset of the plurality of purchase transactions reached a first threshold. If a determination is made that the number of the one or more goods and/or services that are purchased in a respective first subset reaches a first threshold, then the common designated user that corresponds to the respective first subset receives the second portion of the revenues. If a determination is made that the number of the one or more goods and/or services that are purchased in a respective first subset does not reach the first threshold, then the common designated user that corresponds to the respective first subset receives the first portion of the revenues.

[0063] In an example embodiment, the first threshold, the first portion of revenues, and/or the second portion of revenues may be exposed as configurable parameters to a system administrator (e.g., a supplier providing the goods and/or services for purchase) of SRS 500, thereby allowing the values of these parameters to be selected to achieve desired performance.

[0064] In yet another example embodiment, performing the test further includes determining whether the number of the one or more goods and/or services that are purchased in each first subset of the plurality of purchase transactions is included in an initial N numbers to reach the first threshold. N is a positive integer. In accordance with this embodiment, SRS 500 may limit the number of affiliate members that receive the second portions of revenues. For example, SRS 500 may set a second threshold that indicates a number of the affiliate members that are allowed to receive the second portion of revenues. For instance, if the second threshold is set to 10, the first 10 affiliate members whose numbers of purchase transactions reach the first threshold receive the second portion of revenues. Other affiliate members whose numbers of purchase transactions reach the first threshold after the second threshold is reached do not receive the second portion of revenues, but instead receive the first portion of revenues.

[0065] It is noted that the value used for the second threshold in the example above is provided for illustrative purposes and is not intended to be limiting. It will be recognized that any suitable value may be used.

[0066] In yet another example embodiment, the second threshold in the example above may be exposed as a configurable parameter to a system administrator (e.g., a supplier providing the goods and/or services for purchase) of SRS 500, thereby allowing the value of the second threshold to be selected to achieve desired performance.

[0067J In yet another example embodiment, SRS 500 limits the time in which an affiliate member may reach the first threshold. In accordance with this embodiment, the determination as to whether the number of the one or more goods and/or services that are purchased in each first subset of the plurality of purchase transactions reaches the threshold includes determining whether the number of the one or more goods and/or services that are purchased in each first subset of the plurality of purchase transactions reaches the first threshold within a predetermined time interval. In accordance with this embodiment, if a determination is made that the number in a respective first subset does not reach the first threshold within the predetermined time interval, the specified portion provided to the common designated user corresponding to the respective first subset receives the first portion of revenues. If a determination is made that the number in a respective first subset reaches the first threshold within the predetermined time interval, the specified portion to the common designated user corresponding to the respective first subset receives the second portion of revenues.

[0068] In some example embodiments, one or more steps 202, 204, 206, 208, and/or

210 of flowchart 200 may not be performed. Moreover, steps in addition to or in lieu of steps 202, 204, 206, 208, and/or 210 may be performed. [0069] An example method for adjusting a total number of purchase transactions in response to determining that a previously purchased good and/or service has been returned will now be described with reference to flowchart 300 of FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the method of flowchart 300 begins at step 302. In step 302, for each first subset, a determination is made whether one or more return indicators are received within a respective predetermined time interval. Each respective predetermined time interval begins upon receiving a respective purchase indicator. Each return indicator indicates that a good and/or service that is purchased in the respective first subset is returned. Each return indicator also includes the user identifier that was assigned to the corresponding version of the advertisement used to purchase the good and/or service. For each first subset, if return indicator(s) have been received within the respective predetermined time interval, flow continues to step 304. Otherwise, flow continues to step 306. In an example implementation, purchase logic 506 determines whether one or more return indicators are received within the predetermined time interval for each first subset.

[0070] In an example embodiment, each predetermined time interval may be exposed as a configurable parameter to a system administrator (e.g., a supplier providing the goods and/or services for purchase) of SRS 1 10, thereby allowing the value of each predetermined time interval to be selected to achieve desired performance.

[0071] At step 304, the number of the one or more goods and/or services that are purchased in the respective first subset is decremented by a number of the one or more return indicators that are received within the respective predetermined time interval that have one or more respective user identifiers that indicate the common designated user that corresponds to the respective first subset. In an example implementation, purchase logic 506 decrements the number of the one or more goods and/or services purchased in the respective first subset by the number of the one or more return indicators received within the respective predetermined time interval that have one or more respective user identifiers that indicate the common designated user that corresponds to the respective first subset.

[0072] At step 306, the number of the one or more goods and/or services that are purchased in the respective first subset is not decremented. In an example implementation, purchase logic 506 does not decrement the number of the goods and/or services that are purchased in the respective first subset.

[0073] In an example embodiment, during each respective time interval, the respective purchase indicator remains in a pending state. If no return indicator is received within the respective predetermined time interval, then a state of the purchase indicator changes to a finalized state, which represents that the purchase transaction is finalized.

[0074] In some example embodiments, one or more steps 302, 304, and/or 306 flowchart 300 may not be performed. Moreover, steps in addition to or in lieu of steps 302, 304 and/or 306 may be performed.

[0075] An example method for determining on which Web sites a user affiliated with a sales reward is to post one or more advertisements will now be described with reference to flowchart 400 of FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4, the method of flowchart 400 begins at step 402. In step 402, one or more second subsets of the plurality of purchase transactions are determined. Each second subset includes one or more purchase transactions that correspond to one or more respective purchase indicators that include one or more respective site identifiers that indicate a respective common designated web site. In an example implementation, determination logic 508 determines the one or more second subsets.

[0076] At step 404, a specified second subset is determined. The specified second subset includes a number of purchase transactions that is not less than a number of purchase transactions that is included in other second subset(s). In an example implementation, determination logic 508 determines the specified second subset.

[0077] At step 406, one or more versions of a second advertisement are provided.

The one or more versions of the second advertisements may be identical in content as the one or more versions of the advertisement provided in step 202 of flowchart 200 shown in FIG. 2, though the scope of the example embodiments is not limited in this respect. Each version of the second advertisement is to be posted on the common designated website that corresponds to the specified second subset based on the specified second subset including the number of purchase transactions that is not less than the number of purchase transactions that is included in other second subset(s). In an example implementation, advertisement logic 502 provides the one or more versions of the second advertisement.

[0078] In some example embodiments, one or more steps 402, 404, and/or 406 of flowchart 400 may not be performed. Moreover, steps in addition to or in lieu of steps 402, 404 and/or 406 may be performed.

[0079J It will be recognized that SRS 500 may not include one or more of advertisement logic 502, identification logic 504, purchase logic 506, determination logic 508, and/or revenue logic 510. Furthermore, SRS 500 may include logic in addition to or in lieu of advertisement logic 502, identification logic 504, purchase logic 506, determination logic 508, and/or revenue logic 510.

III. Other Example Embodiments

[0080] Identifier module 108, sales reward system 1 10, advertisement logic 502, identification logic 504, purchase logic 506, determination logic 508, and/or revenue logic 510 may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. For example, identifier module 108, sales reward system 1 10, advertisement logic 502, identification logic 504, purchase logic 506, determination logic 508, and/or revenue logic 510 may be implemented as computer program code configured to be executed in one or more processors. In another example, identifier logic 108, advertisement logic 502, identification logic 504, purchase logic 506, determination logic 508, and/or revenue logic 510 may be implemented as hardware logic/electrical circuitry.

IV. Example Computer Implementation

[0081] The embodiments described herein, including systems, methods/processes, and/or apparatuses, may be implemented using well known servers/computers, such as computer 600 shown in FIG. 6. For instance, elements of system 100, including any of the member systems 102A-102M, user systems 106A-106N, any of the publisher servers 104A-104N, and/or SRS 1 10 depicted in FIG. 1 and elements thereof, each of the steps of flowchart 200 depicted in FIG. 2, each of the steps o flowchart 300 depicted in FIG. 3, and/or each of the steps of flowchart 400 depicted in FIG. 4 can each be implemented using one or more computers 600.

[0082] Computer 600 can be any commercially available and well known computer capable of performing the functions described herein, such as computers available from International Business Machines, Apple, Sun, HP, Dell, Cray, etc. Computer 600 may be any type of computer, including a desktop computer, a server, etc.

[0083J As shown in FIG. 6, computer 600 includes one or more processors (e.g.. central processing units (CPUs)), such as processor 606. Processor 606 may include identifier module 108 of FIG. 1 ; advertisement logic 502, identification logic 504, purchase logic 506, determination logic 508, and/or revenue logic 510 of FIG. 5; or any portion or combination thereof, for example, though the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect. Processor 606 is connected to a communication infrastructure 602, such as a communication bus. In some embodiments, processor 606 can simultaneously operate multiple computing threads.

[0084] Computer 600 also includes a primary or main memory 608, such as a random access memory (RAM). Main memory has stored therein control logic 624 A (computer software), and data.

[0085] Computer 600 also includes one or more secondary storage devices 610.

Secondary storage devices 610 include, for example, a hard disk drive 612 and/or a removable storage device or drive 614, as well as other types of storage devices, such as memory cards and memory sticks. For instance, computer 600 may include an industry standard interface, such as a universal serial bus (USB) interface for interfacing with devices such as a memory stick. Removable storage drive 614 represents a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, a compact disk drive, an optical storage device, tape backup, etc.

[0086] Removable storage drive 614 interacts with a removable storage unit 616.

Removable storage unit 616 includes a computer useable or readable storage medium 618 having stored therein computer software 624B (control logic) and/or data. Removable storage unit 616 represents a floppy disk, magnetic tape, compact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), Blue-ray disc, optical storage disk, memory stick, memory card, or any other computer data storage device. Removable storage drive 614 reads from and/or writes to removable storage unit 616 in a well-known manner.

[0087] It will be recognized that store 1 12 of FIG. 1 may be implemented using any one or more of main memory 608, secondary storage devices 610 (e.g., hard disk drive 612), and/or removable storage unit 616.

[0088] Computer 600 also includes input/output/display devices 604, such as monitors, keyboards, pointing devices, etc.

[0089] Computer 600 further includes a communication or network interface 620.

Communication interface 620 enables computer 600 to communicate with remote devices. For example, communication interface 620 allows computer 600 to communicate over communication networks or mediums 622 (representing a form of a computer useable or readable medium), such as local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), the Internet, etc. Network interface 620 may interface with remote sites or networks via wired or wireless connections. Examples of communication interface 622 include but are not limited to a modem, a network interface card (e.g., an Ethernet card), a communication port, a Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) card, etc.

[0090] Control logic 624C may be transmitted to and from computer 600 via the communication medium 622.

[0091] Any apparatus or manufacture comprising a computer useable or readable medium having control logic (software) stored therein is referred to herein as a computer program product or program storage device. This includes, but is not limited to, computer 600, main memory 608, secondary storage devices 610, and removable storage unit 616. Such computer program products, having control logic stored therein that, when executed by one or more data processing devices, cause such data processing devices to operate as described herein, represent embodiments of the invention.

[0092] For example, each of the elements of identifier module 108 and/or sales reward system 110, each depicted in FIG. 1 ; advertisement logic 502, identification logic 504, purchase logic 506, determination logic 508, and/or revenue logic 510, each depicted in FIG. 5; each of the steps of flowchart 200 depicted in FIG. 2; each of the steps of flowchart 300 depicted in FIG. 3; and each of the steps of flowchart 400 depicted in FIG. 4 can be implemented as control logic that may be stored on a computer useable medium or computer readable medium, which can be executed by one or more processors to operate as described herein.

[0093] Computer readable storage media are distinguished from and non-overlapping with communication media. Communication media typically embodies computer- readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave. The term "modulated data signal" means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media includes wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media. Example embodiments are also directed to such communication media.

V. Conclusion

[0094] While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) that various changes in form and details can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

[0095] The proper interpretation of subject matter described and claimed herein is limited to patentable subject matter under 35 U.S.C. § 101. As described and claimed herein, a method is a process defined by 35 U.S.C. § 101. As described and claimed herein, each of a device, apparatus, machine, system, computer, module, computer readable media, media, is a machine or manufacture defined by 35 U.S.C. § 101.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1, A method for providing revenues to users affiliated with a sales reward system, comprising:

providing one or more versions of an advertisement to be posted on one or more designated web sites, the advertisement advertising one or more commerce elements, each commerce element being a good or a service;

assigning a user identifier to each of the one or more versions, each user identifier indicating a respective designated user that is to post the corresponding version of the advertisement on the one or more designated web sites;

receiving a purchase indicator for each purchase transaction of a plurality of purchase transactions in which the one or more commerce elements are purchased using a corresponding version of the one or more versions, each purchase indicator including the user identifier that is assigned to the corresponding version and a site identifier that indicates a web site on which the corresponding version is posted;

determining one or more first subsets of the plurality of purchase transactions, each first subset including one or more purchase transactions corresponding to one or more respective purchase indicators that include one or more respective user identifiers that indicate a respective common designated user; and

performing a test for each first subset of the plurality of purchase transactions to determine a specified portion of revenues, which result from the respective first subset, that is to be provided to the common designated user that corresponds to the respective first subset, the specified portion being a first portion or a second portion, the second portion being greater than the first portion, said performing the test comprising:

determining whether a number of the one or more commerce elements that are purchased in each first subset of the plurality of purchase transactions reaches a threshold.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining one or more second subsets of the plurality of purchase transactions, each second subset including one or more purchase transactions corresponding to one or more respective purchase indicators that include one or more respective site identifiers that indicate a respective common designated web site; determining a specified second subset that includes a number of purchase transactions that is not less than a number of purchase transactions that is included in others of the one or more second subsets; and

providing one or more versions of a second advertisement to be posted on the common designated website that corresponds to the specified second subset based on the specified second subset including the number of purchase transactions that is not less than the number of purchase transactions that is included in others of the one or more second subsets.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said performing the test comprises:

determining whether the number of the one or more commerce elements that are purchased in each first subset of the plurality of purchase transactions is included in an initial N numbers to reach the threshold.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said determining whether the number of the one or more commerce elements that are purchased in each first subset of the plurality of purchase transactions reaches the threshold comprises:

determining whether the number of the one or more commerce elements that are purchased in each first subset of the plurality of purchase transactions reaches the threshold within a predetermined time interval.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

for each first subset, determining whether one or more return indicators are received within a respective predetermined time interval, each return indicator indicating a commerce element that is purchased in the respective first subset and that is returned, each return indicator including the user identifier that was assigned to the corresponding version of the advertisement used to purchase the commerce element; and

for each first subset, decrementing the number of the one or more commerce elements that are purchased in the first subset by a number of the one or more return indicators received within the respective predetermined time interval that have one or more respective user identifiers that indicate the common designated user that corresponds to the first subset.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein each respective predetermined time interval begins upon receiving a respective purchase indicator, wherein during each respective predetermined time interval, the respective purchase indicator is in a pending state, and wherein the respective purchase indicator changes to a finalized state when determining that no return indicator is received for the respective purchase indicator during the respective predetermined time interval.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein each site identifier is a hypertext transfer protocol referrer.

8. A sales reward system for providing revenues to users affiliated with the sales reward system, comprising;

an advertisement logic configured to provide one or more versions of an advertisement to be posted on one or more designated web sites, the advertisement advertising one or more commerce elements, each commerce element being a good or a service;

an identification logic configured to assign a user identifier to each of the one or more versions, each user identifier indicating a respective designated user that is to post the corresponding version of the advertisement on the one or more designated web sites;

a purchase logic configured to receive a purchase indicator for each purchase transaction of a plurality of purchase transactions in which the one or more commerce elements are purchased using a corresponding version of the one or more versions, each purchase indicator including the user identifier that is assigned to the

corresponding version and a site identifier that indicates a web site on which the corresponding version is posted;

a determination logic configured to determine one or more first subsets of the plurality of purchase transactions, each first subset including one or more purchase transactions corresponding to one or more respective purchase indicators that include one or more respective user identifiers that indicate a respective common designated user; and

a revenue logic configured to perform a test for each first subset of the plurality of purchase transactions to determine a specified portion of revenues, which result from the respective first subset, that is to be provided to the common designated user that corresponds to the respective first subset, the specified portion being a first portion or a second portion, the second portion being greater than the first portion, said test configured to determine whether a number of the one or more commerce elements that are purchased in each first subset of the plurality of purchase transactions reaches a threshold.

9. The sales reward system of claim 8, wherein the determination logic is further configured to determine one or more second subsets of the plurality of purchase transactions, each second subset including one or more purchase transactions corresponding to one or more respective purchase indicators that include one or more respective site identifiers that indicate a respective common designated web site; wherein the determination logic is further configured to determine a specified second subset that includes a number of purchase transactions that is not less than a number of purchase transactions that is included in others of the one or more second subsets; and

wherein the advertisement logic is further configured to provide one or more versions of a second advertisement to be posted on the common designated website that corresponds to the specified second subset based on the specified second subset including the number of purchase transactions that is not less than the number of purchase transactions that is included in others of the one or more second subsets.

10. The sales reward system of claim 8, wherein said test is configured to determine whether the number of the one or more commerce elements that are purchased in each first subset of the plurality of purchase transactions is included in an initial N numbers to reach the threshold.

11. The sales reward system of claim 8, wherein the revenue logic is further configured to determine whether the number of the one or more commerce elements that are purchased in each first subset of the plurality of purchase transactions reaches the threshold within a predetermined time interval.

12. The sales reward system of claim 8, wherein the purchase logic is further configured to, for each first subset, determine whether one or more return indicators are received within a respective predetermined time interval, each return indicator indicating a commerce element that is purchased in the respective first subset and that is returned, each return indicator including the user identifier that was assigned to the corresponding version of the advertisement used to purchase the commerce element; and

wherein the purchase logic is further configured to, for each first subset, decrement the number of the one or more commerce elements that are purchased in the first subset by a number of the one or more return indicators received within the respective predetermined time interval that have one or more respective user identifiers that indicate the common designated user that corresponds to the first subset.

13. The sales reward system of claim 12, wherein each respective predetermined time interval begins upon receiving a respective purchase indicator, wherein during each respective predetermined time interval, the respective purchase indicator is in a pending state, and wherein the respective purchase indicator changes to a finalized state when determining that no return indicator is received for the respective purchase indicator during the respective predetermined time interval.

14. The sales reward system of claim of claim 8, wherein each site identifier is a hypertext transfer protocol referrer.

15. A computer program product comprising a computer-readable medium having computer program logic recorded thereon for enabling a processor-based system to provide revenues to users affiliated with a sales reward system, the computer program product comprising:

a first program logic module for enabling the processor-based system to provide one or more versions of an advertisement to be posted on one or more designated web sites, the advertisement advertising one or more commerce elements, each commerce element being a good or a service;

a second program logic module for enabling the processor-based system to assign a user identifier to each of the one or more versions, each user identifier indicating a respective designated user that is to post the corresponding version of the advertisement on the one or more designated web sites;

a third program logic module for enabling the processor-based system to interpret a purchase indicator for each purchase transaction of a plurality of purchase transactions in which the one or more commerce elements are purchased using a corresponding version of the one or more versions, each purchase indicator including the user identifier that is assigned to the corresponding version and a site identifier that indicates a web site on which the corresponding version is posted;

a fourth program logic module for enabling the processor-based system to determine one or more first subsets of the plurality of purchase transactions, each first subset including one or more purchase transactions corresponding to one or more respective purchase indicators that include one or more respective user identifiers that indicate a respective common designated user; and

a fifth program logic module for enabling the processor-based system to perform a test for each first subset of the plurality of purchase transactions to determine a specified portion of revenues, which result from the respective first subset, that is to be provided to the common designated user that corresponds to the respective first subset, the specified portion being a first portion or a second portion, the second portion being greater than the first portion, said test configured to determine whether a number of the one or more commerce elements that are purchased in each first subset of the plurality of purchase transactions reaches a threshold.

16. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the fourth program logic module comprises:

first logic for enabling the processor-based system to determine one or more second subsets of the plurality of purchase transactions, each second subset including one or more purchase transactions corresponding to one or more respective purchase indicators that include one or more respective site identifiers that indicate a respective common designated web site, and

second logic for enabling the processor-based system to determine a specified second subset that includes a number of purchase transactions that is not less than a number of purchase transactions that is included in others of the one or more second subsets; and

wherein the first program logic module includes third logic for enabling the processor-based system to provide one or more versions of a second advertisement to be posted on the common designated website that corresponds to the specified second subset based on the specified second subset including the number of purchase transactions that is not less than the number of purchase transactions that is included in others of the one or more second subsets.

17. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein said test is configured to determine whether the number of the one or more commerce elements that are purchased in each first subset of the plurality of purchase transactions is included in an initial N numbers to reach the threshold.

18. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the fifth program logic module includes logic for enabling the processor-based system to determine whether the number of the one or more commerce elements that are purchased in each first subset of the plurality of purchase transactions reaches the threshold within a predetermined time interval.

19. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the third program logic module comprises:

first logic for enabling the processor-based system to, for each first subset, determine whether one or more return indicators are received within a respective predetermined time interval, each return indicator indicating a commerce element that is purchased in the respective first subset and that is returned, each return indicator including the user identifier that was assigned to the corresponding version of the advertisement used to purchase the commerce element; and

second logic for enabling the processor-based system to, for each first subset, decrement the number of the one or more commerce elements that are purchased in the first subset by a number of the one or more return indicators received within the respective predetermined time interval that have one or more respective user identifiers that indicate the common designated user that corresponds to the first subset.

20. The computer program product of claim 19, wherein each respective predetermined time interval begins upon receiving a respective purchase indicator, wherein during each respective predetermined time interval, the respective purchase indicator is in a pending state, and wherein the respective purchase indicator changes to a finalized state when determining that no return indicator is received for the respective purchase indicator during the respective predetermined time interval.