Interactive map-based search and advertising

Abstract

A computer system locates objects and content by navigating an aerial or satellite image map of a geographic region. The system determines a search region corresponding to the geographic region by use of geospatial information associated with the geographic region. Once the search region is determined, the system searches a database for objects and content that are associated with the search region and that satisfy certain predetermined criteria and characteristics. Relevant ads are then shown to the user within an interactive mapping experience.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A computer-implemented method for presenting advertisements, comprising:
 receiving a search and geographic information regarding a region of an aerial image;   obtaining results for the search based on the geographic information; and   displaying content and advertisements as a user conducts the search or as the user views the results, or as the user interacts with the results.   
     
     
         14 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 13 , wherein the content and advertisements include unstructured content. 
     
     
         15 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 13 , wherein the user interacts with the results by saving a property in a favorite folder or running a comparative market analysis on a listing. 
     
     
         16 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 13 , wherein the act of receiving receives additional searches when the user interacts with the content and advertisements. 
     
     
         17 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 13 , further comprising determining relevancy of content and advertisements to display to the user, the relevancy being selected from a group consisting of inputs into the search to determine what the user is looking for, a result selected by the user to determine what the user is interested in, click rates of the user to determine advertisements and categories of advertisements, online actions by the user, a user behavior profile in comparison to a database of profiles of users to determine what other users have deemed relevant, indications by the user regarding relevant categories of information, and geographic zoom level including neighborhood level and regional level, wherein the actions by the user are selected from a group consisting of whether the user is registered, whether the user saved searches, whether the use had searched for an agent before, whether the user has set up a profile, whether the user selects a particular button, and whether the user is looking for a house to be fixed, wherein categories of information are selected from a group consisting of agents, coffee shops, and bus stops. 
     
     
         18 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 13 , wherein the act of displaying varies the display of content and advertisements depending on a geographic zoom level, the act of displaying showing summarized property view at one geographic zoom level and refraining from showing agents and other service providers associated with a real estate transaction at another geographic zoom level, the act of displaying shows content in relation to the search or the results of the search performed by the user, the content being selected from a group consisting of system-generated content, user-generated content, community-generated content, and property blogs, properties that are similar to a particular property, service providers, and agents based on transaction history, neighborhoods, and ratings. 
     
     
         19 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 13 , further comprising pricing advertisements to be sold to an advertiser depending on the geographic information regarding the region of the aerial image and a point on a z axis, which is orthogonal to the dimensions of the region of the aerial image.