How Computers Automatically Target Ads Based on Trending Internet Memes

A system that finds trending internet topics, measures how fast they are spreading, and automatically places relevant advertisements on the web pages where those topics are being discussed.

What it covers

This patent describes a system that scans the internet to find content related to specific topics. It extracts 'topical memes'—which the patent defines as specific points of discussion within those topics—and calculates a 'viral dynamics metric' to see how popular or fast-spreading that content is. By adding these metrics together, the system identifies the most active meme and automatically selects an advertisement to display on the web pages where that meme is appearing. It also chooses the best advertising network to deliver the ad based on which network has the widest reach for those specific pages.

What it doesn't cover

• —Does not cover advertising based on static user demographics like age or location.
• —Does not cover manual ad placement where a human decides which ad goes on which page.
• —Does not cover content analysis that ignores the 'viral dynamics' or speed of spread.
• —Does not cover systems that do not use an advertising network to deliver the content.

The clever bit

The system treats 'virality' as a quantifiable, aggregate value that can be used as a trigger for automated business decisions, effectively turning the social spread of information into a stock-market-like signal for ad inventory.

Why it matters

This patent represents an early attempt to formalize 'trend-jacking' in digital marketing. By turning the chaotic nature of internet virality into a measurable metric, it allowed advertisers to move away from static ad buys toward dynamic, data-driven campaigns that follow the current conversation. It highlights the shift toward algorithmic ad placement that dominates modern social media and news platforms.

Real-world examples

• 1.Automated ad insertion on news sites during breaking viral events
• 2.Social media platform ad-targeting algorithms
• 3.Real-time bidding systems for programmatic advertising