Method and system for reputation evaluation of online users in a social networking scheme

Abstract

A method and system for evaluating the reputation of a member of a social networking system is disclosed. Consistent with an embodiment of the invention, one or more attributes associated with a social networking profile of a member of a social network are analyzed. Based on the analysis, a ranking, rating or score is assigned to a particular category of reputation. When requested, the ranking, rating or score is displayed to a user of the social network.

1 . A computer-implemented method for evaluating a reputation of a first member of a social networking system, the method comprising: analyzing, at a server hosting the social network in system, an attribute associated with a social networking profile of the first member, the attribute relevant to an aspect of the reputation of the first member; based on the analysis of the attribute associated with the social networking profile, assigning a rating to the attribute, aggregating the rating with one or more other ratings to arrive at an aggregate score, each rating assigned to an attribute of the social networking profile, and each attribute relevant to an aspect of the reputation of the first member; and causing the aggregate rating to be displayed when a request is received to view the social networking profile of the first member, wherein the aggregate score represents a measure of reputation based on endorsements received by the first member from other users of the social networking system. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one rating represents the number of positive endorsements the first member has received from other members of the social networking system. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one rating represents the number of positive, sealed endorsements the first member has received from other members of the social networking system. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one rating is based on whether the first member has indicated a preference for allowing sealed endorsements. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the aggregate score represents a measure of reputation based on activity of the first member within the social networking system. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one rating is based on the number of mutual direct connections the first member has established with other members of the social networking system. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one rating is based on one of: the number of requests for contact received by the first member, or the percentage of the number of requests for contact received by the first member that are accepted by the first member. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one rating is based on one of: the number of requests for contact sent by the first member, or the percentage of the number of requests for contact sent by the first member that are accepted by the receiving member. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one rating is based on one of: the number of requests to forward a request for contact sent by the first member, the percentage of the number of requests to forward a request for contact received by the first member that are forwarded by the first member, the number of requests forwarded by the first member that are forwarded by the receiving member, or the percentage of the number of requests forwarded by the first member that are forwarded by the receiving member. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein analyzing an attribute of a social networking profile of each member who has provided an endorsement for the first member includes determining a reputation score for each member who has provided an endorsement for the first member, and aggregating the reputation score for each member who has provided an endorsement for the first member to arrive at an aggregate endorsement reliability score for the first member. 
     
     
         11 . A computer-implemented method for communicating a reputation indicator, the method comprising: receiving a request to view information associated with a first member of a social networking system; analyzing the first member's network, as defined by the social networking system, to determine a rating for the measure of reputation; analyzing endorsements received by the first member to determine a rating for the measure of reputation; and based on the rating, selecting a reputation indicator for display; and displaying a reputation indicator reflecting a measure of reputation for the first member for a particular pre-defined category of reputation. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein analyzing the first member's network to determine a rating for the measure of reputation includes calculating a number of mutual direct connections the first member has established with other members of the social networking system.