Method and apparatus for generating geo-targeted message with search results

Abstract

Method and apparatus for generating a geo-targeted message with search results are disclosed. The method and apparatus allow client entities to present target messages to computer user recipients by providing geo-targeted messaging that provides search results to computer users along with a geo-targeted message. Client entities lease words based on specified geo-target criteria on specified platforms. Users initialize the apparatus and can perform word searches utilizing the method and apparatus where the word may be a client's leased word that is associated to the user's geographic profile. Thus, the user is provided a geo-targeted message along with search results and the client is able to effectively communicate a message to targeted recipients.

1 . A method for providing geo-targeted internet messages, the method comprising:
 providing a toolbar plug-in for an electronic document for allowing a user to enter a keyword;   customizing the toolbar plug-in with at least one geographical setting;   providing exclusive leasing rights to a client to use a word for communicating a message, wherein the word exclusively corresponds to at least one geo-targeted area;   saving the word provided by the advertiser as a leased word;   receiving a keyword from a user for a search request;   determining if the keyword matches a leased word;   displaying a search result for the keyword; and   displaying a message corresponding to the leased word, if the keyword received from a user matches the leased word.