Methods and Systems for Rating Associated Members in a Network

Abstract

Systems and methods for rating associated members in a social network are set forth. According to one embodiment a method comprising outputting a ratings interface for rating at least one member of a social network associated with a user, wherein the rating interface provides the user with the ability to rate the member in one or more categories, receiving ratings for the member from the user, associating the ratings with the member, and connecting the ratings for the member with the user is set forth.

1 . A method, comprising:
 outputting a ratings interface for rating at least one member of a social network associated with a user, wherein the rating interface provides the user with the ability to rate the member in one or more categories;   receiving one or more ratings for the member provided by the user; and   associating the ratings with the member and connecting the ratings for the member with the user.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ratings for the member from the user are accessible only to the user. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a level of an association between the member and the user is based at least in part on the rating of the member associated with the user. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the level of association comprises one or more of a best friend, a good friend, a regular friend, an acquaintance, and a stranger. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising calculating an overall rating for the member. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein calculating the overall rating comprises averaging the ratings from the user with one or more additional ratings received from one or more additional users. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein calculating the overall rating comprises receiving ratings for the member provided by multiple users and assigning a weighting factor to each rating based at least in part on an association between each user and the member. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein calculating the overall rating comprises assigning a weighting factor for the ratings provided by the user based on a second overall rating associated with the user. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the overall rating for the member is calculated when a predetermined number of ratings are received. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the overall rating for the member is calculated when a member has a minimum number or percentage of associations with other members. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein calculating the overall rating comprises normalizing ratings for the member. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the categories comprise one or more of fan, trusty, cool, and sexy. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the categories are relationship-specific. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the display of the ratings interface is restricted to users within a determined degree of separation from the member. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising outputting one or more icons representing members, wherein a dominant rating for each icon is graphically represented. 
     
     
         16 . A computer-readable medium containing program code comprising:
 program code for outputting a ratings interface for rating at least one member of a social network associated with a user, wherein the rating interface provides the user with the ability to rate the member in one or more categories;   program code for receiving one or more ratings for the member provided by the user; and   program code for associating the ratings with the member and connecting the ratings for the member with the user.   
     
     
         17 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 16 , wherein the ratings for the member from the user are accessible only to the user. 
     
     
         18 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 16 , wherein a level of an association between the member and the user is based at least in part on the rating of the member associated with the user. 
     
     
         19 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 18 , wherein the level of association comprises one or more of a best friend, a good friend, a regular friend, an acquaintance, and a stranger. 
     
     
         20 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 16 , further comprising program code for calculating an overall rating for the member.