Algorithm Design: Showing Ads to Users
Algorithm Design: Showing Ads to Users
K groups
G1,G2, . . . , Gk
Overlapping Characteristics
G1 can be all residents of Madison
G2 can be all people with a degree in computer science
Number of Advertisers
a-m
there is an ith group of advertisers
More about the ith group
A subset of the (G1-Gk) demographic group, Xi
Advertisers want its ads to be shown to users in at least one demographic group Xi
A subset of the (G1-Gk) demographic group, RI
Advertisers want its ads to be shown to at least ri users every minute
Number of users visiting the site in a given minute
Number of advertisers = m
Subset uj
User j (j=1, ….n)
Network Flow Model
Meaning of Each Component
Start: this component marks the beginning of the algorithm
Users: this covers all the users belonging to various groups, and whose identities may be overlapping.
Determining user groups for ads: shows a point of decision making aspect of the algorithm; it directs the type of add to be shown to a particular group of users, and on specific bases. Users belonging to specifically xi group get the opportunity to see ads from an advertiser. For the users from any ri group, they see specified ads each minute.
Ends: this terminates the process, and confirms that the instruction is successfully set
Why it is still a flow network
The model is a flow network because the components of the algorithm are connected and processes lead to subsequent ones, and decisions affect associated processes and inputs. The connection in the network presents a proper flow of the components between the terminals
The Computing Complexity of the Algorithm
The complexity of the algorithm manifests based on the order of the processes and the significance of the input. While the steps are relatively small in number, the instruction to determine users and advert makes it a complex experience.
The Capability of the Network Flow Problem to Give the Solution for the Original Problems
While the network flow model is associated with some level of complexity, it has the potential of helping in the solution of the problem identified. The algorithm serves as the instructions from individual advertisers directed to the advertising websites. According to Kleinberg and Tardos (2006), it indicates specific adverts which should be consumed by a user in a specific user group and the frequency with which the adverts should be shown to them. Therefore ads are specific and target users who need them.
References
Kleinberg, J., & Tardos, E. (2006). Algorithm design (1st ed.). Boston, Mass.: Pearson/Addison-Wesley.