Managing digital forums and networking groups utilizing a group activity indicator

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure facilitate effective management of digital forums between networking groups including co-users of a networking system. In particular, systems and methods involve providing a list of digital forums for sharing digital including digital icons indicating corresponding digital forums associated with respective networking groups. Systems and methods further involve determining subsets of active co-users from the networking groups by detecting interactions between client devices of the subsets of active co-users and the networking system. Systems and methods further include generating a group activity indicator and providing the group activity indicator in connection with the graphical icons for corresponding networking groups. Systems and methods described herein further include features and functionality that enable a user of the networking system to view which networking groups are active and comprehend a level of activity for respective networking groups.

BACKGROUND

Recent years have seen rapid development in communication technology, particularly in the capabilities of computing systems to share digital content between user devices. Indeed, conventional computing systems allow users to share content with discrete groups of multiple users via text, chat, instant messaging, social media, and other digital channels using various client devices. For example, utilizing conventional computing systems, users can share digital content including audio files, text messages, images, and other types of digital content with groups of friends and family and receive instant feedback from other users within those groups.

As sharing content with groups of multiple users has increased, individual users have also begun interacting with larger numbers of groups. Indeed, individual users can belong to dozens of different groups for sharing digital content between computing devices of various users. Accordingly, users often find it difficult to effectively interface with members of individual groups. Indeed, over time, many groups have intermittent participation or become totally inactive. Users often experience frustration when sharing content with inactive or intermittently active groups because users are unaware if users of the group are receiving and/or actually viewing the shared content. Moreover, many users become frustrated when they share digital content with other users and receive a delayed response (or no response at all).

These and other problems exist with regard to managing communications between groups of users.

BRIEF SUMMARY

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure provide benefits and/or solve one or more of the foregoing or other problems in the art with systems and methods for managing digital forums with a group activity indicator. In particular, as will be described in further detail below, the systems and methods can improve digital networking groups by monitoring activity across a plurality of client devices and generating group activity indicators based on identified active users within the networking groups. Moreover, the systems and methods can revise group activity indicators as activities of users within networking groups change over time. Accordingly, the systems and methods described herein can enable a user belonging to any number of groups to readily determine whether a networking group has active users that are sharing content and also determine which networking groups would likely be receptive to receiving and communicating digital content within a digital forum for the networking group.

For example, in one or more embodiments, the disclosed systems and methods provide a list of digital forums for sharing digital content via a graphical user interface of a client device. In one or more embodiments, the list includes graphical icons indicating digital forums for sharing content with corresponding networking groups. For instance, in one or more embodiments, the list includes a graphical icon indicating a digital forum for sharing content with a networking group that includes the user of the client device and a plurality of co-users of a networking system. Moreover, in one or more embodiments, the systems and methods determine a subset of active co-users by detecting interactions between client devices. Furthermore, the systems and methods can generate a group activity indicator based on the subset of active co-users (e.g., an activity indicator reflecting the number of active co-users in the subset of active co-users). In addition, the systems and methods can provide the group activity indicator in connection with the graphical icon via the graphical user interface of the client device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure include a group activity system that facilitates management of digital forums utilizing group activity indicators. In particular, the group activity system can efficiently manage networking groups by generating and providing group activity indicators that reflect a current activity status for respective networking groups within a networking system. To illustrate, the group activity system can monitor activity data across client devices of users belonging to networking groups. The group activity system can analyze the user activity data by group and generate a group activity indicator (e.g., an indicator of a subset of co-users of the group that are active on the networking system). Moreover, the group activity system can dynamically modify the group activity indicator as user activities change, thus providing a real-time indication of user activity corresponding to various networking groups.

For example, the group activity system can provide a list of digital forums for sharing digital content with networking groups associated with each digital forum. In particular, in one or more embodiments, the group activity system provides graphical icons via a graphical user interface of a client device representative of the digital forums associated with networking groups including the user of the client device and co-users of a networking system. The group activity system can further determine a subset of active co-users from a networking group by detecting interactions between client devices of the subset of active co-users and the networking system. In one or more embodiments, the group activity system generates a group activity indicator based on the determined subset of active co-users. In addition, the group activity system can provide the group activity indicator via the graphical user interface of the client device in connection with a graphical icon associated with the networking group of the active subset of co-users.

The group activity system provides a number of advantages over existing communication systems. For example, the group activity system can cause a client device to provide a graphical user interface including graphical icons that enable a user of the client device to determine whether a networking group is active and whether users of the networking group will be responsive to shared content. In particular, as will be described in further detail below, the group activity system can determine an activity status for each of a plurality of different networking groups by identifying subsets of active users of the networking system who have recently interacted (or are currently interacting) with digital forums. Upon determining the activity status for the respective networking groups, the group activity system can generate and provide a group activity indicator that provides a clear visual indication showing which of the respective networking groups have active users.

In addition, the group activity system can also generate and provide a group activity indicator that enables users to easily comprehend a level of activity associated with networking groups. For example, the group activity system can determine a number of active users of a networking group (e.g., a subset of co-users within a networking group). In one or more embodiments, the group activity system generates and provides a group activity indicator based on the number of these active users. For example, the group activity system can generate a group activity indicator that reflects the number of active users of the networking group. More specifically, in one or more embodiments, the group activity system indicates the level of activity by generating an icon (or other visual indicator) having a particular color, brightness, size or other visual characteristic associated with the determined number of active users, thus enabling the user of the client device to quickly comprehend a level of activity associated with the networking group.

In addition to indicating a number of active users for a networking group, the group activity system can also generate and provide a group activity indicator associated with different types of tracked user interactions with respect to the networking group. For example, the group activity system can determine a subset of active users based on a number of detected interactions by the users of the networking group. In one or more embodiments, the group activity system determines the subset of active users by detecting interactions with the networking system including, by way of example, whether a client device is running a networking system application, whether the networking system application is open on a client device, whether a user is currently viewing a digital forum, whether a user is currently typing a message or sharing digital content with the digital forum, and whether a user has recently added content to the digital forum. The group activity system can generate group activity indicators specific to the particular detected user interactions corresponding to the networking group.

Moreover, in one or more embodiments, the group activity system utilizes the group activity indicator to provide a dynamic representation of an up-to-date, real-time activity status for a networking group. For example, in one or more embodiments, the group activity system detects additional interactions by users of a networking group with respect to the networking system and determines an updated subset of users of the networking group associated with the additional interactions. In response to detecting the additional interactions and based on the updated subset of users of the networking group, the group activity system can generate a modified group activity indicator and provide the modified group activity indicator in connection with a graphical icon associated with the networking group. In this way, the group activity system can provide a dynamic group activity indicator that provides a current activity status for the networking group to a user of the client device.

The group activity system can operate in conjunction with a variety of digital forums. For example, in one or more embodiments, the group activity system can generate group activity indicators for group instant messaging threads, chat forums, social networking groups, and ephemeral digital forums that include ephemeral digital content (e.g., content that users can access for a predefined period of time). To illustrate, the group activity system can provide a group activity indicator reflecting the number of co-users that have accessed ephemeral digital content in an ephemeral digital forum within a threshold period of time.

In one or more embodiments, the group activity system generates and provides a group activity indicator while efficiently utilizing processing resources of a networking system. For example, in one or more embodiments, client devices of users within respective networking groups share activity information with other users of the networking group by transmitting activity information between client devices. In particular, in one or more embodiments, the client devices broadcast, multicast, or otherwise transmit presence data, activity data, and other information associated with interactions with the networking system, thereby enabling client devices to generate and provide the group activity indicator without overloading the networking system. In this way, even where a networking system is hosting millions of different networking groups, the group activity system can nonetheless provide activity indicators for a manageable number of networking groups to which a user belongs without overloading one or more server devices of the networking system.

In addition, even where certain features described herein are not performed locally on client devices, one or more embodiments of the group activity system nonetheless reduce the overall load on the networking system by cooperating with client devices of users of the networking system. For example, the networking system can cooperate with a group activity system on a client device by providing presence information and shared digital content as it becomes available via the digital forum and enabling the group activity system to locally determine an activity status for the networking group at each respective client device. In this way, the group activity system need not maintain an up-to-date activity status for every networking group and push the activity status to every client device connected to the networking system. Rather, the networking system can host the digital forums while utilizing client devices to locally determine and provide group activity indicators to users of the networking system, thus conserving processing resources of the networking system.

Moreover, the group activity system also improves computing systems by providing a user interface that allows users to more efficiently and easily navigate through complex digital content. Indeed, the group activity system can reduce the number of user interactions to identify and provide digital content, reduce search times, and increase efficiency in managing hundreds (or thousands) of digital forums that include digital content shared between a user and other co-users. Indeed, the group activity system can dynamically update a user interface with group activity indicators that not only indicate a number of group members, but reflects subsets of groups interacting with a networking system. Thus, users can easily identify not only networking groups that have new content, but identify groups that are active and ready to engage through a digital forum in real time.

Additional detail will now be provided regarding the group activity system in relation to illustrative figures portraying exemplary embodiments. For example,FIG. 1illustrates a block diagram of an example communication environment100for managing networking groups utilizing a group activity indicator in accordance with one or more embodiments. As illustrated inFIG. 1, the communication environment100includes a server device(s)102that also includes a networking system104. The communication environment100further includes co-user client devices106a-n(or simply “co-user devices106a-n”) associated with respective co-users108a-n. As shown inFIG. 1, each of the co-user devices106a-ninclude a networking system application110. As further shown inFIG. 1, the networking system100also includes a client device112(associated with a user114) that includes a networking system application110. The networking system application110on the client device112further includes a group activity system116. In one or more embodiments, each of the networking system applications110on the co-user devices106a-nsimilarly include a group activity system116that provides similar features and functionality as the group activity system116on the client device110. Nonetheless, for the sake of explanation, one or more embodiments described herein relate specifically to a group activity system116implemented on the client device112.

As shown inFIG. 1, each of the server device(s)102, the co-user devices106a-n, and the client device112can communicate over a network118. The network118may include one or multiple networks and may use one or more communication platforms or technologies suitable for transmitting data. In one or more embodiments, the network118includes the Internet or World Wide Web. In addition, or as an alternative, the network118can include various other types of networks that use various communication technologies and protocols. Additional details relating to the network118are explained below in reference toFIG. 9.

AlthoughFIG. 1illustrates a particular number and arrangement of co-user devices106a-nand client device112, it will be understood that the communication environment100can include any number of devices, including any number of server devices102, co-user devices106a-n, and client device112. Moreover, one or more of the devices may directly communicate with the server device(s)102or via an alternative communication network, bypassing the network118.

In addition, the co-user devices106a-nand client device112may refer to various types of computing devices. For example, one or more of the devices may include a mobile device such as a mobile telephone, a smartphone, a PDA, a tablet, or a laptop. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more of the devices may include a non-mobile device such as a desktop computer, a server, or another type of computing device. Additional detail with regard to different types of computing devices is described in reference toFIG. 8.

The networking system104can refer to various types of networking systems including, for example, a social networking system, an electronic messaging system, or other type of networking system over which a community of users and co-users can share and access digital content. As such, while one or more examples described herein refer specifically to a social networking system, it will be understood that features and functionality described in connection with a social networking system can similarly apply to other types of networking systems. Additional detail with regard to the networking system104, and particularly an example social networking system, is described below in connection withFIGS. 9-10.

In addition, as shown inFIG. 1, each of the co-user devices106a-nand the client device112include a networking system application110. In one or more embodiments, the networking system application110(e.g., a social networking system application and/or electronic messaging application) refers to a software application associated with the networking system104. In one or more embodiments, the networking system application110provides and controls various features and functionality on the co-user devices106a-nand client device112to enable respective users108a-nand114to interact with other users of the networking system104including sharing and interacting with digital content as well as sending communication between groups of users via one or more digital forums. In one or more embodiments, the networking system application110refers to a native or hybrid application installed on a respective computing device. Alternatively, in one or more embodiments, the networking system application110refers to a web browser used to access the networking system104(e.g., a website associated with the networking system104provided via a web browser on a respective computing device). In one or more embodiments, the networking system application110refers to the same application on each of the co-user devices106a-nand client device112.

In one or more embodiments, the communication environment100enables users (e.g., members) of the networking system104to communicate and/or share digital content with other users of the networking system104. In particular, as will be described in further detail below, the communication environment100facilitates creation of digital forums within which groups of users of the networking system104can share digital content and communicate with other users within the group. For example, in one or more embodiments, the communication environment100enables a user114to create or join a networking group within which the user114and various co-users (e.g., co-users108a-n) can communicate via a digital forum provided by the networking system104.

As used herein, a “user” or “co-user” of the networking system104refers to any user or other entity having access to digital content shared via a networking platform of the networking system104. A user or co-user also refers to a user of other entity having the capability to share digital content with other users of the networking system104. For example, a user or co-user can refer to any entity having an account and/or profile registered with the networking system104and which enables an associated user to communicate with other users of the networking system104including sharing and interacting with digital content. In addition, users or co-users can share and interact with digital content shared via digital forums hosted by the networking system104.

As used herein, a “digital forum” refers to a digital medium for sharing digital content. In particular, the term “digital forum” includes a virtual space over which users of the networking system104can communicate and share digital content. For example, in one or more embodiments, the networking system104creates a digital forum based on a request by a user of the networking system104to share digital content with other users of the networking system. To illustrate, the term “digital forum” can include a chat room, instant messaging forum, social networking group space, or ephemeral messaging forum. Moreover, in one or more embodiments, the networking system104adds one or more users to a digital forum providing access to digital content shared via the digital forum. In one or more embodiments, the networking system104manages access to digital forums by providing access to digital content on the digital forum to specific groups of users of the networking system104.

As used herein, a “digital content item” or “digital content” refers to a defined portion of digital data (e.g., a data file). In particular, the term digital content item includes digital text, digital characters (e.g., emoji or other standardized characters), digital images, digital videos, digital overlays (e.g., stickers or filters), or audio files. In one or more embodiments described herein, digital content refers to digital text, a digital image, digital video, or other digital media posted to the networking system104by any user of the networking system104. In addition, as further used herein, “ephemeral digital content” refers to digital content shared via a networking system104made available to one or more users for a limited period of time. In particular, ephemeral digital content includes digital content shared between users of the networking system104made unavailable after a predefined period of time. For example, in one or more embodiments, ephemeral digital content refers to a user's “story” or “day” within a networking system104(e.g., a social networking system).

Similarly, as used herein, the term “ephemeral digital forum” refers to a digital forum that includes ephemeral digital content. As an example, the networking system104can create (e.g., host) an ephemeral digital forum to which a user can add any number of ephemeral digital content items (e.g., digital text, digital images, and/or digital videos) to share with co-users of the networking system. In addition, in one or more embodiments, the ephemeral digital content items and/or the digital forum itself becomes unavailable to the co-users of the networking system104after a predefined period of time.

As used herein, a “networking group” (or “group” of co-users) refers to a plurality of users of a networking system. In particular, the term “networking group” includes a plurality of users of the networking system104having access to a digital forum. For example, the term “networking group” includes a plurality of co-users participating in an instant messaging thread, a plurality of co-users having access to a closed or limited chat room, a plurality of co-users belonging to a social networking group, or a plurality of co-users sharing an ephemeral messaging forum. In one or more embodiments, a user of the networking system104can belong to any number of networking groups providing access to corresponding digital forums associated with each of the respective networking groups. Each networking group can refer to a discrete set of users of the networking system. While many groups include entirely different sets of users of the networking system104, in one or more embodiments, networking groups can include overlapping sets of members including many of the same members as well as one or more additional members. As an example, a first networking group can include the user114and a first user108aof the first client device while a second networking group can include the user114, the first user108a, and one or more additional co-users of the networking system104that are not a part of the first networking group. As another example, a third networking group can include the user114and additional co-users of the networking system104other than the first co-user of the first co-user device106a.

In one or more embodiments, the user114communicates with other users of the networking system104via digital forums associated with various networking groups. For example, in one or more embodiments, the networking system104hosts digital forums and manages (e.g., controls or limits) access to the respective digital forums via networking groups including various users of the networking system104. For instance, the networking system104can host a number of digital forums associated with networking groups to which the user114of the client device112belongs and provide access to each of the digital forums based on membership of the user114within the respective networking groups. Thus, the networking system114can manage digital forums by adding and/or removing individual users to various networking groups and then controlling access to the digital forums based on the individual users that belong to networking groups corresponding to each digital forum.

In addition to managing digital forums and respective networking groups, the communication environment100further facilitates providing an indication of group activity for one or more of the networking groups associated with the respective digital forums. For example, in one or more embodiments, the group activity system116determines a level of activity associated with different networking groups to which the user114belongs. In particular, the group activity system116can determine a subset of active co-users of a networking group by detecting interactions between associated co-user devices and the networking system104. As used herein, an “active co-user” refers to any user of the networking system104determined to have an active status with respect to the networking system104and/or a specific digital forum. For example, an active co-user may refer to a member of a networking group currently interacting with the networking system104, with a digital forum, or who has recently interacted with the networking system104and/or digital forum. As will be described in further detail below, the group activity system116can identify different types of activity with respect to the networking system104and identify active co-users of respective networking groups based on the different types of activity.

Upon identifying active co-users of the networking group(s), the group activity system116can generate a group activity indicator based on the determined level of activity for one or more networking groups. As used herein, a “group activity indicator” refers to a visual, audio, heptic or other type of indicator that indicates networking group activity. In particular, a group activity indicator includes a visual element that reflects a subset of active co-users within a networking group. For instance, in relation toFIG. 1, a group activity indicators refers to an indicator that denotes to the user114of the client device112a level of activity associated with a networking group. As will be described in further detail below, the group activity system116can generate different types of group activity indicators to indicate different types and levels of activity associated with respective networking groups.

In addition to generating the group activity indicator, the group activity system116can further provide the group activity indicator via a graphical user interface of the client device112. For example, as will be described in further detail below, the group activity system116can provide graphical icons representative of digital forums associated with respective networking groups and provide the group activity indicator in connection with the graphical icons. In this way, the user114of the client device112can readily see and comprehend a level of activity associated with each networking group for the different digital forums for which the user114has access.

AlthoughFIG. 1illustrates the group activity system116as implemented entirely on the client device112, the group activity system116can be implemented on a variety of different devices. For example, in one or more embodiments the group activity system116is implemented on any number of the co-user devices106a-n. In addition, in one or more embodiments, the group activity system116can be implemented partially or entirely within the networking system104on the server device(s)102. For example, in one or more embodiments, the networking system104can determine a level of activity for a networking group and push information to the client device112that enables the networking system application110to provide a group activity indicator via a graphical user interface on the client device112. Thus, the group activity system116can be implemented in whole, or in part, on the server device(s)102, the co-user devices106a-106n, and/or the client device(s)112. Further, as will be described in further detail below, the server device(s)102, co-user devices106a-n, and client device112can send and receive group activity data with respect to the networking system104in a variety of ways.

Additional detail will now be given with respect to generating and providing a group activity indicator via a graphical user interface of a client device. For example,FIGS. 2A-2Dillustrate a mobile device202having a graphical user interface204that includes example messaging interfaces in accordance with one or more embodiments of the group activity system116. In particular, as shown inFIGS. 2A-2D, the group activity system116generates a graphical user interface204. As illustrated, the graphical user interface204includes a header206and footer208including selectable options that enable a user of the mobile device202to interact with various networking groups of co-users, create one or more new networking groups, join (or leave) one or more existing networking groups, and otherwise utilize features and functionality facilitated by the group activity system116. In one or more embodiments, the mobile device202refers to an example client device112(or one of the co-user devices106a-106n) described above in connection withFIG. 1.

As further shown inFIGS. 2A-2D, the group activity system116generates the graphical user interface204to include a list of graphical icons210a-dassociated with digital forums and corresponding networking groups. In particular, each of the graphical icons210a-dinclude a selectable icon that enables a user of the mobile device202to access a digital forum associated with a corresponding networking group.

For example, the graphical user interface204includes a first graphical icon210aassociated with a digital forum (e.g., an instant messaging thread) corresponding to a first networking group that includes a first set of co-users of the networking system104. The graphical user interface204further includes a second graphical icon210bassociated with a second digital forum (e.g., an instant messaging thread) corresponding to a second networking group that includes a second set of co-users of the networking system104. Similarly, the graphical user interface204includes a third graphical icon210cand a fourth graphical icon210dassociated with digital forums corresponding to different social networking groups.

As shown inFIG. 2A, each of the graphical icons210a-dinclude information associated with each of the networking groups. For example, the first graphical icon210aincludes a name (“Family”) of the networking group and a profile icon that includes a digital image reflecting one or more members of the networking group. In addition, the first graphical icon210aincludes an identifier of a user (“Ken”) who most recently added content to the digital forum as well as a portion of the content (“Thanks!”) added to the digital forum. As further shown, the first graphical icon210aincludes a time (e.g., a date) of the most recent addition of content to the digital forum. Each of the second, third, and fourth graphical icons210b-dinclude similar information within the respective graphical icons210b-d.

As mentioned above, the group activity system116can generate and provide one or more group activity indicators via a user interface. For example, as shown inFIGS. 2A-2D, the group activity system116generates each of the graphical icons210a-210dto include one or more group activity indicators. In particular, the group activity system116generates the graphical icons210a-210dto include group activity indicators that reflect an activity level of users from the networking groups with respect to the networking system104.

For example, as shown inFIG. 2A, the group activity system116generates group activity indicators212a-d. In particular, the group activity system116generates group activity indicators212a-dfor each of the digital forums and corresponding networking groups associated with the graphical elements210a-210d. Specifically, the group activity system116generates the group activity indicators212a-212dto reflect a number of active co-users of each networking group.

For example, with respect to the first graphical element210a, the group activity system116generates a group activity indicator212athat reflects the number of active co-users of the networking group corresponding to the first graphical element210a. In particular, the group activity indicator212aprovides an indication of the number (e.g., percentage) of the active co-users. For example, group activity indicator212ashows that fewer than a threshold number or percentage (e.g., less than 50%) of the networking group is currently active or otherwise engaged in a particular type of activity with respect to the networking system104(e.g., thus the group activity indicator212ais not highlighted).

In one or more embodiments, the group activity system116identifies a subset of active co-users from all of the co-users of a networking group. Moreover, the group activity system116determines a number of active co-users in the subset of co-users, generates one or more group activity indicators based on the number of active co-users, and provides the group activity indicator(s) via a graphical user interface of the mobile device202. As will be discussed further, the group activity system116can additionally identify different types of activity with respect to the networking system104and generate one or more group activity indicators (or modify existing group activity indicators) associated with respective types of activity or actions of the active co-users. In addition, as will be described in further detail below, the group activity system116can dynamically update one or more of the group activity indicators based on detected activities of the active co-users with respect to the networking system104.

In one or more embodiments, the group activity system116identifies active co-users and generates a corresponding group activity indicator based on interactions of the co-users with respect to the networking system104. As an example, with respect to the first networking group corresponding to the first graphical element210a,FIG. 2Ashows that the first networking group includes five co-users216a-e. In addition,FIG. 2Ashows associated co-user interactions218a-efor each of the co-users216a-e. It will be understood that the co-users216a-emay or may not include the user of the mobile device202. For example, the first co-user216amay refer to the user of the mobile device202. Alternatively, each of the co-users216a-emay refer exclusively to other users of the networking system104having access to the digital forum associated with the corresponding first networking group. For ease in explanation herein, the co-users216a-eeach refer to co-users of the networking system104other than the user of the mobile device202.

FIG. 2Ashows co-user interactions218a-efor the co-users216a-eof the first networking group. In particular, as shown inFIG. 2Athe group activity system116detects first co-user interactions218aindicating that a first co-user216ais presently online (e.g., connected and/or logged in to the networking system104or otherwise connected to a network, such as the Internet) and has posted four recent messages to a digital forum associated with the first networking group.FIG. 2Afurther shows that the group activity system116detects second co-user interactions218bindicating that a second co-user216bis presently online and has posted one recent message to the digital forum.FIG. 2Afurther indicates that the group activity system116detects that none of the third, fourth, and fifth co-users216c-eare presently online and that none of the third, fourth, and fifth co-users216c-ehave posted any recent messages to the digital forum.

Based on the co-user actions218a-e, the group activity system116identifies a level of activity for the networking group. For example, the group activity system116identifies a subset of co-users from the group of co-users216a-ewithin the networking group that are active. In the example shown inFIG. 2A, the group activity system116determines that the first co-user216aand the second co-user216bare online while the third co-user216c, fourth co-user216d, and fifth co-user216eare offline. Accordingly, even though the group activity system116may determine that the first co-user216aand second co-user216bare active based on the online status, the group activity system116may nonetheless determine that the networking group is not active (e.g., because the number of active co-users falls below a threshold number or percentage of co-users of the networking group to be considered active).

For instance, with respect to the example shown inFIG. 2A, the group activity system116determines that the first co-user216aand the second co-user216bare “active” based on detecting that each are currently online. As an alternative, the group activity system116can determine that the first co-user216aand the second co-user216bare each individually active based on identifying that each of the first co-user216aand second co-user216bhave recently posted one or more messages to the digital forum. As will be described below, the group activity system116can determine a level of group activity based on identifying a number of co-users having an individual active status.

As mentioned above, the group activity system116can identify active co-users based on a variety of detected activities with respect to the networking system104(e.g. online/offline status). For instance, as mentioned above, the group activity system116can identify a co-user as active whose client device is logged into an account associated with the networking system104(e.g., authenticated via a username and password or other authentication protocol). As another example, the group activity system116can identify a co-user as active where the networking system application110is running on an associated client device. For instance, the group activity system116can determine that a user is active when the networking system application110is running in the foreground (or background) on a client device associated with the user. As another example, the group activity system116can determine that a user is active based on a determination that a user has recently utilized one or more features of the networking system application110(e.g., posted a message, shared content, viewed content, etc.).

In addition to identifying active co-users based on detected interactions of the co-users with respect to the networking system104generally, the group activity system116can also identify active co-users based on actions of the co-users with respect to specific digital forums. For example, as will be described in further detail below, the group activity system116can determine that a co-user is active based on a determination that the co-user has viewed a digital forum, is presently viewing the digital forum, or has recently interacted with the digital forum (e.g., shared content, added a comment, sent a direct message to another co-user within the digital forum). Accordingly, whileFIG. 2Ashows one example in which co-users are identified as active based on a detected online status, the group activity system116can similarly identify one or more active users based on interactions with respect to the digital forum. As a result, in one or more embodiments, the group activity system116may identify a co-user as active for one digital forum while simultaneously inactive for one or more additional digital forums.

In one or more embodiments, the group activity system116receives updated information about detected interactions of co-users with respect to the networking system104and updates one or more group activity indicators based on the updated information. For example,FIG. 2Billustrates an example graphical user interface204in which the group activity system116has detected one or more additional co-user interactions with respect to the networking system104and updated the group activity indicator212awithin the first graphical icon210afor the networking group including the co-users216a-e. In particular, the group activity system116determines that the co-user interactions218a-ediffer from those discussed above in connection withFIG. 2Ain that the third co-user216cis online.

Based on detecting that each of the first three co-users216a-care online, the group activity system116updates the group activity indicator212a. In particular, the group activity system116determines that three co-users are thus active, and, based on this determination, updates the group activity indicator212a

to indicate that the networking group is “active.” For example, as mentioned above, the group activity system116can identify that a networking group is active based on determining that the number of active co-users equals or exceeds a threshold number or percentage. For instance, in the example shown inFIG. 2B, where the group activity system116determines that the number of active co-users exceeds 50% of the total number of co-users within the networking group, the group activity system116provides the group activity indicator212aindicating that the first networking group is “active.” Alternatively, if the number of active co-users falls below the threshold value of 50%, the group activity system116may remove the group activity indicator212aor otherwise change an appearance of the group activity indicator212a(e.g., as shown inFIG. 2A) to show an inactive status for the first networking group.

In generating and providing the group activity indicator214a, the group activity system116can indicate an active status for the networking group in a variety of ways. For example, as shown inFIG. 2B, the group activity system116can provide a solid colored group activity indicator212ain place of a white or non-solid indicator (as shown inFIG. 2A) to indicate that the number of active co-users exceeds a minimum threshold. In one or more embodiments, the group activity system116modifies a color or brightness of the group activity indicator212ato indicate an active status for the networking group. In addition, in one or more embodiments, the group activity system116modifies a size or shape of the group activity indicator to indicate an activity level (e.g., an active or inactive status) for the networking group. As an example, the group activity system116can change the group activity indicator from a circle to a square to indicate a change from an active status to inactive status.

In one or more embodiments, the group activity system116further indicates a level of activity for the networking group via the group activity indicator212a. Indeed, as the networking group becomes more or less active (e.g., additional or fewer co-users log onto the networking system104), the group activity system116can modify the group activity indicator212ato indicate a different level of activity. For example, the group activity system116can dynamically compare a current number of active co-users to multiple threshold values and change a color of the indicator, increase/decrease a brightness of the indicator, enlarge/shrink a size of the indicator, change a shape of the activity indicator, or otherwise modify the group activity indicator based on a comparison between the current number of active co-users and a range of multiple threshold values.

The group activity system116can modify a group activity indicator in a variety of ways to indicate a level of activity of a networking group. For example,FIG. 2Cillustrates another example graphical user interface204in which the group activity system116identifies and provides an indication based on an identified number of active co-users of the first networking group. For example, as shown inFIG. 2C, in addition to providing the group activity indicator214a, the group activity system116additionally enlarges the graphical icon210afor the corresponding digital forum based on detected co-user interactions218a-eof the co-users216a-e. In particular, as shown inFIG. 2C, the co-user interactions218a-eindicate that each of the first, second, third, and fourth co-users216a-dare online, the first and second co-users216a-bare currently viewing the digital forum, and the third co-user216cis currently interacting with the digital forum (e.g., composing a message, adding a comment, sharing content).

Based on detecting such a high level of activity (e.g., satisfying a variety of thresholds, such as a threshold number of online users, a threshold number of users running a networking application, a threshold number of users viewing the digital forum, and/or a threshold number of users interacting with the digital forum) of the co-users216a-e, the group activity system116provides another group activity indicator. For example, the group activity system116provides a group activity indicator by enlarging the first graphical icon210a. Specifically, as shown inFIG. 2C, the group activity system116enlarges the first graphical icon210abased on detecting that a threshold number of the co-users216a-eare active with respect to the digital forum corresponding to the first networking group (e.g., the co-users satisfy various thresholds as mentioned above). In addition, as shown inFIG. 2C, the group activity system116provides an indication that the third co-user218cis typing a message within the digital forum.

Accordingly, in one or more embodiments, the group activity system116may provide different group activity indicators to indicate different types of activity. For example, with respect to the first graphical icon210a, the group activity system116provides a group activity indicator212ato reflect a number of co-users (e.g., to indicate that the number of active co-users exceeds a threshold, such as a threshold number of 3 co-users or a threshold percent of 50% of the co-users) for the networking group. Further, the group activity system116additionally provides a group activity indicator by enlarging the graphical icon210ato indicate a number of the co-users216a-ecurrently active with respect to the digital forum (e.g., currently viewing, currently interacting).

In addition to providing a group activity indicator for each respective networking group, the group activity system116can additionally organize the graphical icons210a-din accordance with determined activity levels. For example, in one or more embodiments, in response to determining that the networking group for the first digital forum is active, the group activity system116pushes the first graphical icon210ato the top of the list of graphical icons210a-d. In one or more embodiments, the group activity system116orders the graphical icons210a-din descending value based on determined levels of activity (e.g., number of active co-users, percentage of active co-users).

The group activity system116can also provide a variety of additional group activity indicators. For example,FIG. 2Dillustrates another example graphical user interface204in which the group activity system116identifies and provides a group activity indicator based on an identified number of active co-users of the first networking group. For example, as shown inFIG. 2D, in addition to providing the group activity indicator212aand enlarging the graphical icon210afor the corresponding digital forum, the group activity system116also provides a numerical group activity indicator214atogether with a modification to the group activity indicator212ato indicate one or more real-time interactions of the co-users216a-ewith respect to the digital forum. As further shown inFIG. 2D, the group activity system116provides numeric group activity indicators214a-dwithin each graphical icon210a-dindicating a number of active co-users within the networking groups.

For example, as shown inFIG. 2D, the group activity system116detects co-user interactions218a-eincluding interactions by the co-users216a-ewith respect to the digital forum. In particular, as shown inFIG. 2D, the group activity system116detects that the first co-user216a, second co-user216b, and the third co-user216care currently viewing the digital forum. In addition, as shown inFIG. 2D, the group activity system116detects that the fourth co-user216aand the fifth co-user216eare currently interacting with the digital forum (e.g., composing a message, adding a comment, sharing content).

With respect to the first graphical element210a, the group activity system116generates a numerical group activity indicator214athat reflects a number of active co-users of the corresponding networking group. In particular, the group activity system116generates the numerical group activity indicator214afor the first graphical element210athat includes an indication that the “Family” networking group includes two active co-users. Similarly, with respect to the second, third, and fourth graphical elements208b-d, the group activity system116generates numerical group activity indicators214b-dassociated with a number of active co-users for each of the corresponding networking groups.

As further shown inFIG. 2D, the group activity system116also indicates user interactions with the digital forum by causing the second group activity indicator214ato blink. Specifically, the group activity system116causes the second group activity indicator214ato blink based on a threshold number of co-users engaging in real-time interactions with respect to the digital forum (e.g., viewing the digital forum or composing a message). Accordingly, the group activity system116can provide a real-time activity indicator for each instance of activity with respect to the digital forum upon detecting each co-user action by the group activity system116.

AlthoughFIG. 2illustrates a blinking group activity indicator, the group activity system116can utilize a variety of different indicators in response to detected user interactions. For example, the group activity system can change colors, increase or decrease brightness, increase or decrease size, move, shake, or otherwise change a group activity indicator to indicate a level of activity for the networking group with respect to a digital forum.

Moreover, as shown inFIGS. 2A-2D, the group activity system116can provide one or multiple group activity indicators in connection with a graphical icon for a corresponding digital forum that illustrates a number of active co-users for a networking group as well as indicating one or more types of co-user actions with respect to the networking system104and/or the digital forum. It will be understood thatFIGS. 2A-2Dillustrate features and functionality of the group activity system116by way of example, and is not intended to be limiting to the specific examples shown therein.

AlthoughFIGS. 2A-2Dillustrate particular group activity indicators based on particular user interactions, the group activity system116can utilize a variety of different group activity indicators that correspond to a variety of different user interactions. For example, the group activity system116can provide a first group activity indicator based on a number of co-users running the networking application110, a second group activity indicator based on a number of co-users interacting with a digital forum, and a third group activity indicator based on a number of co-users typing a digital message. In short, the group activity system116can provide one or more group activity indicators or modify one or more group activity indicators based on any of the user interactions described herein.

As shown inFIGS. 2A-2D, the group activity system116can provide a listing of graphical icons corresponding to respective digital forums with which a user can interact to share digital content and communicate with co-users of an associated networking group. In addition, in one or more embodiments, the group activity system116causes the mobile device202to provide a graphical user interface of the digital forum(s) based on detecting a user selection of a corresponding graphical icon. For example, in one or more embodiments, upon detecting a selection of the first graphical icon210a, the group activity system116causes the mobile device202to provide a graphical user interface for the corresponding digital forum associated with the first networking group (e.g., a user interface with an instant messaging thread, chat forum, or ephemeral digital forum). Upon providing the graphical user interface of the digital forum, a user of the mobile device202can interact with the digital forum in a variety of ways. For example, the user can comment on previously shared digital content. In addition, the user can add or share digital content to the digital forum. In one or more embodiments, the group activity system116enables the user to invite one or more additional co-users to the networking group and provide access to digital forum to the one or more additional co-users. In one or more embodiments, the group activity system116further enables the user to send messages to the networking group collectively and/or discrete subsets of the co-users within the networking group.

As mentioned above, the group activity system116can provide a variety of different group activity indicators with regard to a variety of different digital forums. Indeed, as further shown inFIG. 3, the group activity system116can provide group activity indicators for a plurality of digital forums and corresponding networking groups. For example,FIG. 3shows a mobile device302including a graphical user interface304including similar features as the mobile device202and graphical user interface204described above in connection withFIGS. 2A-2D. As further shown inFIG. 3, the graphical user interface304includes a list of graphical icons306a-dindicating corresponding digital forums for associated networking groups.

As further shown inFIG. 3, the group activity system116provides a plurality of group activity indicators reflecting the number of active co-users corresponding to each digital forum and networking group. The group activity system116further provides group activity indicators reflecting types of interactions of the active co-users with respect to the networking system104and/or respective digital forums. For example, each of the graphical icons306a-dinclude a numerical group activity indicator308a-dthat includes a number of active co-users corresponding to each digital forum and networking group. Moreover, the first graphical icon306aand second graphical icon306beach include group activity indicators310a-bhaving a solid color indicating that the first and second networking groups have an active status (e.g., a threshold number of co-users from the networking groups are logged into the networking system104).

As mentioned above, the group activity system116can generate group activity indicators that also indicate that a threshold number of co-users are active with respect to the digital forum. For example, the group activity system116may generate a group activity indicator based on a variety of different co-user actions with respect to the digital forum. For instance, the group activity system116may determine a level of activity based a number of co-users that have recently interacted with the digital forum, a number of co-users actively viewing the digital forum, a number of co-users currently interacting with the digital forum, or a number of co-users interacting with the digital forum in other ways.

Indeed, as shown inFIG. 3, the third graphical icon306cincludes a group activity indicator310cindicating one or more real-time co-user actions with respect to the digital forum (and/or networking system104) for the corresponding networking group. Specifically, in response to detecting that a user is actively typing a message within the digital forum, the group activity system116causes the second group activity indicator310cto flash (or change colors, appear brighter, or otherwise change appearance) to indicate the detected co-user action(s) with respect to the digital forum.

As further shown inFIG. 3, the fourth graphical icon306dincludes a group activity indicator310dindicating an inactive status for a networking group associated with the corresponding digital forum. For example, the group activity system116may identify that the networking group corresponding to the fourth graphical icon306dhas fewer active co-users than threshold number or percentage of co-users and cause the second group activity indicator310dto have a white color, gray color, or other color to indicate that the networking group has an inactive status.

As mentioned above, in one or more embodiments, the group activity system116also operates in conjunction with digital forums that include ephemeral digital content. For example,FIG. 4illustrates an example mobile device402that includes a graphical user interface404including graphical icons corresponding to digital forums that include a combination of permanent and ephemeral digital content. For example, the graphical user interface404includes a listing406of graphical icons including similar features and characteristics as graphical icons described above in connection withFIGS. 2A-3. In addition, as shown inFIG. 4, the graphical user interface404includes ephemeral graphical icons408a-cassociated with digital forums in which ephemeral digital content is shared between users of the networking system104. In particular, similar to one or more embodiments described herein, each of the ephemeral graphical icons408a-cindicate a digital forum accessible to a networking group including the user of the mobile device402and a number of additional co-users of the networking system104.

As further shown inFIG. 4, the group activity system116can generate group activity indicators reflecting a level of activity for each of the ephemeral digital forums. In particular, each of the ephemeral graphical icons408a-cinclude a group activity indicator410a-cthat includes an indication of a number of active co-users of the networking system104.

The group activity system116can generate a variety of different group activity indicators for ephemeral digital forums. For example, althoughFIG. 3illustrates numerical group activity indicators (i.e., group activity indicators that portray an actual number), the group activity system116can utilize group activity indicators that are shapes (e.g., a circle such as the group activity indicator214a), logos, or profile images (e.g., profile images of active co-users). Similarly, the group activity system116can present a group activity indicator by modifying the size of the ephemeral graphical icons408a-408c. The group activity system116can also modify the order of the ephemeral graphical icons408a-408cbased on the active co-users within networking groups.

Furthermore, the group activity system116can generate various group activity indicators based on a variety of different user interactions. Indeed, the group activity system116can generate a group activity indicator reflecting a number of co-users that have recently interacted with the networking system104(e.g., within a threshold period of time such as the predefined period of time that digital content is available via the ephemeral digital forum). Similarly, the group activity system116can provide a group activity indicator reflecting the number of co-users that have viewed ephemeral digital content shared within an ephemeral digital forum. In addition, the group activity system116can provide a group activity indicator reflecting the number of co-users that are currently interacting with an ephemeral digital forum (e.g., viewing ephemeral digital content, composing ephemeral digital content, or adding ephemeral digital content). Similarly, the group activity system116can provide a group activity indicator based on the number of co-users that have contributed ephemeral digital content currently available in the ephemeral digital forum.

Moreover, the group activity system can apply one or more threshold values for one or more of these user interactions and generate a group activity indicator when the number (or percentage) of co-users satisfies the threshold. For example, the group activity system can apply a group activity indicator threshold that surfaces a group activity indicator based on a combination of various user interactions. To illustrate, the group activity system can generate and provide a group activity indicator where at least two co-users have viewed ephemeral digital content currently available via an ephemeral digital forum and at least two co-users are running the networking system application110.

Accordingly, as shown inFIG. 4, the graphical user interface404includes graphical icons associated with a combination of permanent and ephemeral digital content shared via digital forums. The group activity system116can apply the same or different thresholds in determining when to surface group activity indicators for different types of digital forums. For instance, in one or more embodiments, the group activity system116indicates an activity status differently between digital forums including permanent digital content and ephemeral digital content. For example, the group activity system116may determine and indicate that an ephemeral digital forum is active based on a first number of active co-users. Alternatively, the group activity system116may require a higher number or percentage of active co-users prior to determining that a permanent (i.e., non-ephemeral) digital forum is active.

As mentioned above, the group activity system116can display group activity indicators in a variety of ways to portray a level of activity of a networking group within an ephemeral digital forum. For example,FIG. 5illustrates another example of a mobile device502including a graphical user interface504for displaying graphical icons corresponding to ephemeral digital forums in accordance with one or more embodiments of the group activity system116. For example, as shown inFIG. 5, the graphical user interface504includes a listing of ephemeral graphical icons506a-ccorresponding to ephemeral digital forums. In particular, the ephemeral graphical icons506a-cinclude selectable links to ephemeral digital forums corresponding to one or more respective co-users of the networking system104or to respective networking groups including multiple co-users of the networking system104.

As shown inFIG. 5, the group activity system116provides group activity indicators508a-cwith the ephemeral graphical icons506a-cthat indicate a level of activity among co-users of the networking system104having access to the ephemeral digital forums. For example, the group activity indicators508a-cinclude an indication of a number of active co-users within a networking group having access to the ephemeral digital forums. Specifically, the group activity indicators508a-cinclude an indication of a number of total co-users within the networking group that have viewed or otherwise interacted with the ephemeral digital content currently available in the ephemeral digital forum.

In addition, as mentioned, the group activity system116can provide additional group activity indicators reflecting an active (or inactive) status for an ephemeral digital forum. For example, as shown inFIG. 5, the group activity system116causes the first and second ephemeral graphical icons506a-bto have a bold outline indicating each ephemeral digital forum is active (e.g., each ephemeral digital forum satisfies a threshold number or percentage of co-users that are currently viewing or have recently viewed the ephemeral digital forums). As shown inFIG. 5, however, the third ephemeral graphical icon506cis not bolded or otherwise emphasized indicating an inactive status for the corresponding ephemeral digital forum (e.g., the ephemeral digital forum does not satisfy a threshold number or percentage of co-users that are currently viewing or have recently viewed the ephemeral digital forum).

As further shown inFIG. 5, the graphical user interface504includes a display area510including digital content shared via the networking system104. For example, in one or more embodiments, the display area510includes a display of a social networking feed for a particular user (e.g., digital content shared with the user of the mobile device502from other co-user of the networking system104). As an alternative, in one or more embodiments, the display area510includes a social networking group feed (e.g., a digital forum for a networking group including digital content shared or otherwise added to the digital forum and accessible to any member within the networking group).

Turning now toFIG. 6, additional detail will be provided regarding components and capabilities of an example architecture for the group activity system116that may be implemented on the client device112, server device(s)102, or on a combination of the server device(s)102and the client device112. In particular,FIG. 6illustrates one implementation of the server device(s)102and the client device112having similar features and functionality associated with one or more embodiments described above. For example, the group activity system116and the networking system104cooperate to provide features and functionality of digital forums accessible to corresponding networking groups to a user of the client device112. In addition, the group activity system116facilitates providing one or more group activity indicators associated with a number of active co-users within one or more corresponding networking groups.

In particular, as shown inFIG. 6, the client device112includes a networking system application110. The networking system application110includes the group activity system116, which includes a user interface manager602, a communication manager604, a digital forum manager606, a group activity detector608, an activity indicator manager610and a data storage612including forum data614and activity data616. As further shown,FIG. 6illustrates an example server device(s)102including a networking system104, which includes a forum hosting manager618and networking group manager620.

WhileFIG. 6shows one example embodiment in which the components602-612are implemented on the client device112and components618-620are implemented on the server device(s)102, it will be understood that the components602-612and618-620may be implemented wholly or partially on the client device112, the server device(s)102, or a combination of both (and/or via the co-user devices106a-n, as discussed above). In addition, whileFIG. 6shows that the data storage612is implemented entirely on the client device, in one or more embodiments, the information contained within the data storage612can be located within a corresponding data storage on the server device(s)102and/or stored collectively between data storages accessible to the client device112and/or the server device(s)102.

As discussed in one or more embodiments, the group activity system116can provide a graphical user interface via a display of the client device112. For example, as shown inFIG. 6, the group activity system116includes a user interface manager602that provides a graphical user interface via the client device112. In one or more embodiments, the user interface manager602generates, creates, and/or provides any graphical user interface associated with the networking system104. Examples of the group activity system116causing the client device112to provide a graphical user interface are described above in connection withFIGS. 2A-5. Accordingly, the user interface manager602enables a user of the client device112to share digital content with co-users of the networking system104. In addition, the user interface manager602enables the user of the client device112to interact with digital content shared by co-users of the networking system104.

As further shown inFIG. 6, the group activity system116includes a communication manager604that manages communication of data to and from the client device112. For example, as mentioned above, in one or more embodiments, the group activity system116receives activity information for users belonging to various networking groups, including data about interactions by co-users of the networking groups with respect to the networking system104and/or with respect to individual digital forums. In one or more embodiments, the communication manager604determines how the interaction information is received and/or disseminated.

For example, in one or more embodiments, the communication manager604facilitates communication directly between the client device112and the server device(s)102. In particular, in one or more embodiments, the networking system104causes the server device(s)102to communicate activity information to the client device112for networking groups to which the user of the client device112belongs. For example, where a user of the client device112belongs to a networking group, the networking system104may communicate an activity status for the networking group based on a determined number of active co-users within the networking group. In one or more embodiments, rather than determining an activity status for the networking group at the server device(s)102, the networking system104communicates individual activity information for co-users (e.g., recent interactions, real-time interactions) enabling the group activity system116to locally determine an activity status for the networking group. Alternatively, in one or more embodiments, the networking system104does not determine the activity status of the networking group and/or individual co-users within the networking group, thus enabling the group activity system116to locally determine the activity status for the networking group based on detectable interactions from the client device112having the networking system application110thereon.

Rather than receiving information about networking groups directly from the server device104(which enables the group activity system116to locally determine the activity status for networking groups), in one or more embodiments, the communication manager604communicates between the client device112and co-user devices. For example, in one or more embodiments, the communication manager604causes the client device112to transmit activity information (e.g., whether a user is logged on, whether a user is viewing a digital forum, whether a user is interacting with a digital forum, etc.) to co-users within common networking groups. In one or more embodiments, the group activity system116implemented on co-user devices similarly causes the co-user devices to transmit activity information to the user of the client device112and other co-users within common networking groups. The client device112(and/or the co-user devices) can then analyze the activity information directly.

In one or more embodiments, the communication manager604reduces the expense of resources of the networking system104by managing communications between the client device112and the server device(s)102. For example, as mentioned above, in one or more embodiments, the communication manager604causes the client device112and co-user devices to communicate activity information between co-users of common networking groups, thus reducing the amount of activity information transmitted via the server device(s)102. In particular, where the networking system104is hosting thousands or millions of networking groups associated with millions or billions of respective co-users, the group activity system116may determine and provide group activity indictors described herein while leveraging processing capabilities of the client device112and co-user devices.

As further shown inFIG. 6, the group activity system116includes a digital forum manager606that manages interactions by the user of the client device112with respect to digital forums hosted by the networking system104. For example, in one or more embodiments, the digital forum manager606provides a list digital forums (and/or corresponding graphical icons) to which the user of the client device112has access. In one or more embodiments, the digital forum manager606provides a list of digital forums (e.g., a list of graphical icons) in accordance with a determined activity level or recent interactions by the user with respect to the different digital forums.

In addition, in one or more embodiments, the digital forum manager606enables the user of the client device to interact with digital forums. For example, in one or more embodiments, the digital forum manager606provides a graphical user interface via the user interface manager602including graphical icons associated with different digital forums and enables a user of the client device to select the graphical icons. Upon detecting a user selection of a graphical icon, the digital forum manager606can cause the user interface manager602to provide a presentation of a graphical user interface for the digital forum including a display of digital content shared via the digital forum as well as any messages shared between the networking group associated with the selected digital forum.

As further shown inFIG. 6, the group activity system116includes a group activity detector608that determines a level of activity for different networking groups. For example, the group activity detector608can determine an activity status for a given networking group based on an identified number of active co-users within the networking group. For example, the group activity detector608can determine whether a number of active co-users within a networking group exceeds one or more thresholds and identify a level of activity for the networking group based on a comparison of the number of active co-users with the one or more thresholds.

As described above, the group activity detector608can determine an activity status for a networking group based on various types of detected actions of the co-users within the networking group. For example, in one or more embodiments, the group activity detector608determines an activity status for the networking group based on detected interactions of co-user devices with respect to the networking system104. In addition, or as an alternative, the group activity detector608can determine an activity status for the networking group based on detected interactions with respect to a digital forum associated with the networking group.

As further shown inFIG. 6, the group activity system116includes an activity indicator manager610that generates, creates, and/or provides group activity indicators for corresponding networking groups. In particular, the activity indicator manager610generates a group activity indicator associated with a determined level of activity for a corresponding networking group. In one or more embodiments, the activity indicator manager610generates a group activity indicator based on a number of active co-users within a networking group as well as detected types of activities by the active co-users of the networking group.

In addition to generating the group activity indicators, the activity indicator manager610additionally causes the user interface manager602to provide the group activity indicator via a graphical user interface of the client device112. For example, the activity indicator manager610generates an icon, number, or other visual indicator to display in connection with a graphical icon associated with a digital forum (and associated with an networking group) and provides the icon, number or other visual indicator in connection with the graphical icon for the respective digital forum. In one or more embodiments, the activity indicator manager610generates and provides multiple group activity indicators for individual networking groups (e.g., based on a number of active co-users and types of detected interactions of the active co-uses with respect to the networking system104).

As further shown inFIG. 6, the group activity system116includes a data storage612including forum data614. The forum data614can include any information associated with digital forums hosted by the networking system104. In particular, the forum data614can include an identification of any forums to which the user of the client device112has access. In addition, the forum data614can include digital content accessible via the digital forums to which the user has access. In addition, in one or more embodiments, the forum data614includes an identification of any co-users of networking groups associated with respective digital forums.

As further shown, the data storage612includes activity data616. The activity data616includes any information associated with interactions by co-users of a networking group with respect to the networking system104. For example, activity data616can include an identification of one or more co-users who are logged on to the networking system104or co-users who are running the networking system application110. The activity data616can further include actions of co-users with respect to the networking system104(e.g., shares, ratings, comments, messages, etc.) In one or more embodiments, the activity data616further includes information about interactions with respect to a specific digital forum. For example, the activity data616can include information about whether a co-user is currently viewing a digital forum, whether a co-user has recently interacted with the digital forum, and/or whether a user is currently viewing or otherwise interacting with the digital forum.

As further shown inFIG. 6, the networking system104on the server device(s)102includes a forum hosting manager618. The forum hosting manager618can host any number of digital forums over which co-users can communicate and share digital content. For example, the forum hosting manager618can generate or otherwise provide access to virtual spaces to users of the networking system104that enables the users of the networking system104to communicate over the digital forum as well as share digital content therein. For example, the forum hosting manager618can manage instant messaging threads, chat forums, ephemeral digital forums, or social networking groups.

As further shown, the networking system includes a network group manager620. In one or more embodiments, the network group manager620manages access to the digital forums via networking groups. For example, the network group manager620can create and manage networking groups including any number of co-users of the networking system104. In addition, the forum hosting manager618can associate a digital forum with a networking group and allow any co-user of the networking system104that belongs to the networking group to have access to the digital forum. In one or more embodiments, the forum hosting manager618provides different levels of access within the same networking groups (e.g., administrator, creator, member, etc.)

In addition to utilizing processing capabilities of the client device112and/or co-user devices, in one or more embodiments, the group activity system116reduces the amount of activity information transmitted by the server device(s)102by causing the networking system104to selectively provide activity information for networking groups. For example, in one or more embodiments, the group activity system116causes the networking system104to provide activity information for networking groups under limited conditions. In particular, in one or more embodiments, the group activity system116associates one or more activity conditions with respective networking groups that facilitates selective communication of activity information for the networking groups. For example, in one or more embodiments, the group activity system116facilitates selective communication of activity information by requesting (e.g., from the networking system104) group activity information upon detecting one or more activity conditions for one or more networking groups.

As an illustrative example, a user of the client device112may create or otherwise belong to a networking group for a specific holiday or event (e.g., New Years) which has an active status for a limited period of time (e.g., 2-3 days) and which periodically becomes active (e.g., once/year). Rather than continuously providing activity information for the networking group and/or individual co-users for the networking group, the group activity system116or networking system104may facilitate communication of activity information for the limited period of time associated with the holiday or event.

As another example, a user of the client device112may create or otherwise belong to a networking group associated with a specific location. For example, where the user and co-users of the networking group periodically attend an amusement park, the networking group may become active for a day or other limited period of time and subsequently become inactive when the user and co-users are no longer at the park. Accordingly, in one or more embodiments, the group activity system116and/or networking system104may facilitate selective communication of activity information upon detecting that a threshold number of the co-user devices and client device112are located at the amusement park. Upon detecting that fewer than a threshold number of the co-user devices and client device112are located at the amusement park, the group activity system116and/or networking system104may stop communicating activity information about the networking group.

In one or more embodiments, the group activity system116selectively provides activity information for networking groups based on activity level (e.g., provide activity information based on detecting that one or more users of the networking group are logged into the networking system104and/or using the networking system application110). For instance, rather than continually monitoring a group activity level for a networking group and pushing status updates to co-users of the group, the group activity system116can initiate monitoring an activity status for a networking group upon detecting that one or more co-users of the networking group are active. In addition, upon detecting that no co-users of a networking group are active, the group activity system116can similarly stop monitoring an activity status for the networking group.

Each of the components602-620as shown inFIG. 6may be part of the group activity system116and may be in communication with one another using any suitable communication technologies. It will be recognized that although components602-620are shown to be separate inFIG. 6, any of components602-620may be combined into fewer components, such as into a single facility or module, divided into more components, or configured into different components as may serve a particular embodiment.

The components602-620of the group activity system116can comprise software, hardware, or both. For example, the components602-620can comprise one or more instructions stored on a computer-readable storage medium and executable by processors of one or more computing devices. When executed by the one or more processors, the computer-executable instructions of the group activity system116can cause a client device and/or a server device to perform the methods described herein. Alternatively, the components602-620and their corresponding elements can comprise hardware, such as a special purpose processing device to perform a certain function or group of functions. Additionally, the components602-620can comprise a combination of computer-executable instructions and hardware.

Furthermore, the components602-620may, for example, be implemented as one or more operating systems, as one or more stand-alone applications, as one or more modules of an application, as one or more plug-ins, as one or more library functions or functions that may be called by other applications, and/or as a cloud-computing model. Thus, the components602-620may be implemented as a stand-alone application, such as a desktop or mobile application. Furthermore, the components602-620may be implemented as one or more web-based applications hosted on a remote server. The components602-620may also be implemented in a suit of mobile device applications or “apps.”

FIGS. 1-6, the corresponding text, and the examples, provide a number of different systems and devices that facilitate management of digital forums utilizing group activity indicators. In addition to the foregoing, embodiments can also be described in terms of flowcharts comprising acts in a method for accomplishing a particular result. For example,FIG. 7illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary method for generating and providing one or more group activity indicators that reflect a current activity status for a respective networking group.

FIG. 7illustrates a flowchart of one example method700for generating and providing one or more group activity indicators in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. As shown inFIG. 7, the method700includes an act710of providing a list of digital forums including a first graphical icon indicating a first digital forum for sharing digital content with a first networking group. For example, in one or more embodiments, the act710includes providing, for display via a graphical user interface of a client device112, a list of digital forums for sharing digital content, the list including a first graphical icon indicating a first digital forum for sharing digital content with the first networking group. In addition, the first networking group includes the user of the client device112and a plurality of co-users (e.g., co-users108a-n) of the networking system104.

In one or more embodiments, the digital forum includes a messaging thread of the networking group. The messaging thread can include digital content shared between the user114and the plurality of co-users of the networking system104. In one or more embodiments, the digital forum includes an ephemeral digital forum. The ephemeral digital forum can include ephemeral digital content shared between the user114and the plurality of co-users of the networking system104that expires within a predefined period of time.

As further shown inFIG. 7, the method700includes an act720of determining a subset of active co-users from the networking group by detecting interactions between client devices (e.g., co-user devices106a-n) of the subset of active co-users and the networking system104. For example, in one or more embodiments, the act720includes determining a first subset of co-users from a plurality of co-users by detecting interactions between client devices of the first subset of active co-users and the networking system104. In one or more embodiments, the method700includes receiving, at the client device and directly from the client devices associated with the first subset of active co-users, interaction data reflecting the interactions between the client devices of the first subset of active co-users and the networking system104.

In one or more embodiments, determining the first subset of co-users includes identifying co-users of the plurality of co-users accessing the digital content shared within a messaging thread. Moreover, in one or more embodiments, determining the first subset of active co-users from the plurality of co-users includes identifying co-users of the plurality of co-users that have interacted with the ephemeral digital content prior to expiration of a predefined period of time. Further, determining the first subset of active co-users can include determining that the client devices of the first subset of active co-users are running an application for accessing the networking system104. In addition, in one or more embodiments, determining the first subset of active co-users includes at least one of determining that client devices of the first subset of co-users are accessing the first digital forum, determining that client devices of the first subset of co-users are composing a message within a messaging interface of the first digital forum, or determining that client devices of the first subset of co-users have added digital content to the first digital forum within a predetermined period of time.

As further shown inFIG. 7, the method700includes an act730of generating a group activity indicator based on the subset of active co-users. For example, in one or more embodiments, the act730includes generating a group activity indicator based on the first subset of active co-users. To illustrate, the act730can include generating a group activity indicator that reflects a number of active co-users.

Moreover, as shown inFIG. 7, the method700includes an act740of providing the group activity indicator in connection with the group activity icon. For example, in one or more embodiments, the act740includes providing, for display via a graphical user interface of the client device112, the group activity indicator in connection with the first graphical icon indicating the first digital forum for exchanging digital content with the first networking group. In one or more embodiments, the method700includes determining the first subset of active co-users from the plurality of co-users by determining a number of active co-users from the plurality of co-users of the first networking group. In addition, in one or more embodiments, the group activity indicator reflects the number of active co-users.

In one or more embodiments, the method700includes determining a second subset of active co-users from the plurality of co-users by detecting one or more additional interactions between client devices of the second subset of active co-users and the networking system104. In addition, in response to detecting the one or more additional interactions, the method700can further include generating a modified group activity indicator based on the second subset of active co-users and further providing, via the graphical user interface of the client device112, the modified group activity indicator in connection with the graphical icon indicating the first digital forum for sharing digital content with the first networking group. In one or more embodiments, generating the modified group activity indicator includes one or more of: changing a color of the group activity indicator, changing a brightness of the group activity indicator, changing a size of the group activity indicator, changing a shape of the group activity indicator, or modifying a number within the group activity indicator to reflect a number of the second subset of active co-users.

FIG. 8illustrates, in block diagram form, an exemplary computing device800that may be configured to perform one or more of the processes described above. In one or more embodiments, the server device(s)102, co-user devices106a-n, client device112, mobile devices202,302,402each comprise one or more computing devices in accordance with implementations of computing device800. As shown byFIG. 8, the computing device can comprise a processor802, a memory804, a storage device806, an I/O interface808, and a communication interface810, which may be communicatively coupled by way of communication infrastructure812. While an exemplary computing device800is shown inFIG. 8, the components illustrated inFIG. 8are not intended to be limiting. Additional or alternative components may be used in other embodiments. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, a computing device800can include fewer components than those shown inFIG. 8. Components of computing device800shown inFIG. 8will now be described in additional detail.

In particular embodiments, processor802includes hardware for executing instructions, such as those making up a computer program. As an example and not by way of limitation, to execute instructions, processor802may retrieve (or fetch) the instructions from an internal register, an internal cache, memory804, or storage device806and decode and execute them. In particular embodiments, processor802may include one or more internal caches for data, instructions, or addresses. As an example and not by way of limitation, processor802may include one or more instruction caches, one or more data caches, and one or more translation lookaside buffers (TLBs). Instructions in the instruction caches may be copies of instructions in memory804or storage806.

Memory804may be used for storing data, metadata, and programs for execution by the processor(s). Memory804may include one or more of volatile and non-volatile memories, such as Random Access Memory (“RAM”), Read Only Memory (“ROM”), a solid state disk (“SSD”), Flash, Phase Change Memory (“PCM”), or other types of data storage. Memory804may be internal or distributed memory.

Storage device806includes storage for storing data or instructions. As an example and not by way of limitation, storage device806can comprise a non-transitory storage medium described above. Storage device806may include a hard disk drive (HDD), a floppy disk drive, flash memory, an optical disc, a magneto-optical disc, magnetic tape, or a Universal Serial Bus (USB) drive or a combination of two or more of these. Storage device806may include removable or non-removable (or fixed) media, where appropriate. Storage device806may be internal or external to the computing device800. In particular embodiments, storage device806is non-volatile, solid-state memory. In other embodiments, Storage device806includes read-only memory (ROM). Where appropriate, this ROM may be mask programmed ROM, programmable ROM (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM), electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), electrically alterable ROM (EAROM), or flash memory or a combination of two or more of these.

Communication interface810can include hardware, software, or both. In any event, communication interface810can provide one or more interfaces for communication (such as, for example, packet-based communication) between computing device800and one or more other computing devices or networks. As an example and not by way of limitation, communication interface810may include a network interface controller (NIC) or network adapter for communicating with an Ethernet or other wire-based network or a wireless NIC (WNIC) or wireless adapter for communicating with a wireless network, such as a WI-FI.

As mentioned above, in one or more embodiments, the networking system104is linked to and/or is implemented a social networking system. A social-networking system may enable its users (such as persons or organizations) to interact with the system and with each other. The social-networking system may, with input from a user, create and store in the social-networking system a user profile associated with the user. The user profile may include demographic information, communication-channel information, and information on personal interests of the user. The social-networking system may also, with input from a user, create and store a record of relationships of the user with other users of the social-networking system, as well as provide services (e.g. wall posts, photo-sharing, event organization, messaging, games, or advertisements) to facilitate social interaction between or among users.

The social-networking system may store records of users and relationships between users in a social graph comprising a plurality of nodes and a plurality of edges connecting the nodes. The nodes may comprise a plurality of user nodes and a plurality of concept nodes. A user node of the social graph may correspond to a user of the social-networking system. A user may be an individual (human user), an entity (e.g., an enterprise, business, or third party application), or a group (e.g., of individuals or entities). A user node corresponding to a user may comprise information provided by the user and information gathered by various systems, including the social-networking system.

For example, the user may provide his or her name, profile picture, city of residence, contact information, birth date, gender, marital status, family status, employment, educational background, preferences, interests, and other demographic information to be included in the user node. Each user node of the social graph may have a corresponding web page (typically known as a profile page). In response to a request including a user name, the social-networking system can access a user node corresponding to the user name, and construct a profile page including the name, a profile picture, and other information associated with the user. A profile page of a first user may display to a second user all or a portion of the first user's information based on one or more privacy settings by the first user and the relationship between the first user and the second user.

A concept node may correspond to a concept of the social-networking system. For example, a concept can represent a real-world entity, such as a movie, a song, a sports team, a celebrity, a group, a restaurant, or a place or a location. An administrative user of a concept node corresponding to a concept may create or update the concept node by providing information of the concept (e.g., by filling out an online form), causing the social-networking system to associate the information with the concept node. For example and without limitation, information associated with a concept can include a name or a title, one or more images (e.g., an image of cover page of a book), a web site (e.g., an URL address) or contact information (e.g., a phone number, an email address). Each concept node of the social graph may correspond to a web page. For example, in response to a request including a name, the social-networking system can access a concept node corresponding to the name, and construct a web page including the name and other information associated with the concept.

An edge between a pair of nodes may represent a relationship between the pair of nodes. For example, an edge between two user nodes can represent a friendship between two users. For another example, the social-networking system may construct a web page (or a structured document) of a concept node (e.g., a restaurant, a celebrity), incorporating one or more selectable buttons (e.g., “like”, “check in”) in the web page. A user can access the page using a web browser hosted by the user's client device and select a selectable button, causing the client device to transmit to the social-networking system a request to create an edge between a user node of the user and a concept node of the concept, indicating a relationship between the user and the concept (e.g., the user checks in to a restaurant, or the user “likes” a celebrity).

As an example, a user may provide (or change) his or her city of residence, causing the social-networking system to create an edge between a user node corresponding to the user and a concept node corresponding to the city declared by the user as his or her city of residence. In addition, the degree of separation between any two nodes is defined as the minimum number of hops required to traverse the social graph from one node to the other. A degree of separation between two nodes can be considered a measure of relatedness between the users or the concepts represented by the two nodes in the social graph. For example, two users having user nodes that are directly connected by an edge (i.e., are first-degree nodes) may be described as “connected users” or “friends.” Similarly, two users having user nodes that are connected only through another user node (i.e., are second-degree nodes) may be described as “friends of friends.”

A social-networking system may support a variety of applications, such as photo sharing, on-line calendars and events, gaming, instant messaging, and advertising. For example, the social-networking system may also include media sharing capabilities. Also, the social-networking system may allow users to post photographs and other multimedia files to a user's profile page (typically known as “wall posts” or “timeline posts”) or in a photo album, both of which may be accessible to other users of the social-networking system depending upon the user's configured privacy settings. The social-networking system may also allow users to configure events. For example, a first user may configure an event with attributes including time and date of the event, location of the event and other users invited to the event. The invited users may receive invitations to the event and respond (such as by accepting the invitation or declining it). Furthermore, the social-networking system may allow users to maintain a personal calendar. Similarly to events, the calendar entries may include times, dates, locations and identities of other users.

FIG. 9illustrates an example network environment900of a social-networking system. In particular embodiments, a social-networking system902may comprise one or more data stores. In particular embodiments, the social-networking system902may store a social graph comprising user nodes, concept nodes, and edges between nodes as described earlier. Each user node may comprise one or more data objects corresponding to information associated with or describing a user. Each concept node may comprise one or more data objects corresponding to information associated with a concept. Each edge between a pair of nodes may comprise one or more data objects corresponding to information associated with a relationship between users (or between a user and a concept, or between concepts) corresponding to the pair of nodes.

In particular embodiments, the social-networking system902may comprise one or more computing devices (e.g., servers) hosting functionality directed to operation of the social-networking system902. A user of the social-networking system902may access the social-networking system902using a client device such as client device906. In particular embodiments, the client device906can interact with the social-networking system902through a network904.

The client device906may be a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), an in- or out-of-car navigation system, a smart phone or other cellular or mobile phone, or a mobile gaming device, other mobile device, or other suitable computing devices. Client device906may execute one or more client applications, such as a web browser (e.g., Microsoft Windows Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Google Chrome, Opera, etc.) or a native or special-purpose client application (e.g., Facebook for iPhone or iPad, Facebook for Android, etc.), to access and view content over network904.

Network904may represent a network or collection of networks (such as the Internet, a corporate intranet, a virtual private network (VPN), a local area network (LAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), a cellular network, a wide area network (WAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), or a combination of two or more such networks) over which client devices906may access the social-networking system902.

While these methods, systems, and user interfaces utilize both publicly available information as well as information provided by users of the social-networking system, all use of such information is to be explicitly subject to all privacy settings of the involved users and the privacy policy of the social-networking system as a whole.

FIG. 10illustrates example social graph1000. In particular embodiments, social networking system902may store one or more social graphs1000in one or more data stores. In particular embodiments, social graph1000may include multiple nodes—which may include multiple user nodes1002or multiple concept nodes1004—and multiple edges1006connecting the nodes. Example social graph1000illustrated inFIG. 10is shown, for didactic purposes, in a two-dimensional visual map representation. In particular embodiments, a social networking system902, client device906, or third-party system908may access social graph1000and related social-graph information for suitable applications. The nodes and edges of social graph1000may be stored as data objects, for example, in a data store (such as a social-graph database). Such a data store may include one or more searchable or query able indexes of nodes or edges of social graph1000.

In particular embodiments, a user node1002may correspond to a user of social networking system902. As an example and not by way of limitation, a user may be an individual (human user), an entity (e.g., an enterprise, business, or third-party application), or a group (e.g., of individuals or entities) that interacts or communicates with or over social networking system902. In particular embodiments, when a user registers for an account with social networking system902, social networking system902may create a user node1002corresponding to the user, and store the user node1002in one or more data stores. Users and user nodes1002described herein may, where appropriate, refer to registered users and user nodes1002associated with registered users. In addition or as an alternative, users and user nodes1002described herein may, where appropriate, refer to users that have not registered with social networking system902. In particular embodiments, a user node1002may be associated with information provided by a user or information gathered by various systems, including social networking system902. As an example and not by way of limitation, a user may provide his or her name, profile picture, contact information, birth date, sex, marital status, family status, employment, education background, preferences, interests, or other demographic information. Each user node of the social graph may have a corresponding web page (typically known as a profile page). In response to a request including a user name, the social networking system can access a user node corresponding to the user name, and construct a profile page including the name, a profile picture, and other information associated with the user. A profile page of a first user may display to a second user all or a portion of the first user's information based on one or more privacy settings by the first user and the relationship between the first user and the second user.

In particular embodiments, a concept node1004may represent a third-party webpage or resource hosted by a third-party system908. The third-party webpage or resource may include, among other elements, content, a selectable or other icon, or other inter-actable object (which may be implemented, for example, in JavaScript, AJAX, or PHP codes) representing an action or activity. As an example and not by way of limitation, a third-party webpage may include a selectable icon such as “like,” “check in,” “eat,” “recommend,” or another suitable action or activity. A user viewing the third-party webpage may perform an action by selecting one of the icons (e.g., “eat”), causing a client device906to send to social networking system902a message indicating the user's action. In response to the message, social networking system902may create an edge (e.g., an “eat” edge) between a user node1002corresponding to the user and a concept node1004corresponding to the third-party webpage or resource and store edge1006in one or more data stores.

In particular embodiments, a pair of nodes in social graph1000may be connected to each other by one or more edges1006. An edge1006connecting a pair of nodes may represent a relationship between the pair of nodes. In particular embodiments, an edge1006may include or represent one or more data objects or attributes corresponding to the relationship between a pair of nodes. As an example and not by way of limitation, a first user may indicate that a second user is a “friend” of the first user. In response to this indication, social networking system902may send a “friend request” to the second user. If the second user confirms the “friend request,” social networking system902may create an edge1006connecting the first user's user node1002to the second user's user node1002in social graph1000and store edge1006as social-graph information in one or more of data stores. In the example ofFIG. 10, social graph1000includes an edge1006indicating a friend relation between user nodes1002of user “A” and user “B” and an edge indicating a friend relation between user nodes1002of user “C” and user “B.” Although this disclosure describes or illustrates particular edges1006with particular attributes connecting particular user nodes1002, this disclosure contemplates any suitable edges1006with any suitable attributes connecting user nodes1002. As an example and not by way of limitation, an edge1006may represent a friendship, family relationship, business or employment relationship, fan relationship, follower relationship, visitor relationship, sub scriber relationship, superior/subordinate relationship, reciprocal relationship, non-reciprocal relationship, another suitable type of relationship, or two or more such relationships. Moreover, although this disclosure generally describes nodes as being connected, this disclosure also describes users or concepts as being connected. Herein, references to users or concepts being connected may, where appropriate, refer to the nodes corresponding to those users or concepts being connected in social graph1000by one or more edges1006.

In particular embodiments, an edge1006between a user node1002and a concept node1004may represent a particular action or activity performed by a user associated with user node1002toward a concept associated with a concept node1004. As an example and not by way of limitation, as illustrated inFIG. 10, a user may “like,” “attended,” “played,” “listened,” “cooked,” “worked at,” or “watched” a concept, each of which may correspond to an edge type or subtype. A concept-profile page corresponding to a concept node1004may include, for example, a selectable “check in” icon (such as, for example, a clickable “check in” icon) or a selectable “add to favorites” icon. Similarly, after a user clicks these icons, social networking system902may create a “favorite” edge or a “check in” edge in response to a user's action corresponding to a respective action. As another example and not by way of limitation, a user (user “C”) may listen to a particular song (“Ramble On”) using a particular application (SPOTIFY, which is an online music application). In this case, social networking system902may create a “listened” edge1006and a “used” edge (as illustrated inFIG. 10) between user nodes1002corresponding to the user and concept nodes1004corresponding to the song and application to indicate that the user listened to the song and used the application. Moreover, social networking system902may create a “played” edge1006(as illustrated inFIG. 10) between concept nodes1004corresponding to the song and the application to indicate that the particular song was played by the particular application. In this case, “played” edge1006corresponds to an action performed by an external application (SPOTIFY) on an external audio file (the song “Imagine”). Although this disclosure describes particular edges1006with particular attributes connecting user nodes1002and concept nodes1004, this disclosure contemplates any suitable edges1006with any suitable attributes connecting user nodes1002and concept nodes1004. Moreover, although this disclosure describes edges between a user node1002and a concept node1004representing a single relationship, this disclosure contemplates edges between a user node1002and a concept node1004representing one or more relationships. As an example and not by way of limitation, an edge1006may represent both that a user likes and has used at a particular concept. Alternatively, another edge1006may represent each type of relationship (or multiples of a single relationship) between a user node1002and a concept node1004(as illustrated inFIG. 10between user node1002for user “E” and concept node1004for “SPOTIFY”).

In particular embodiments, social networking system902may create an edge1006between a user node1002and a concept node1004in social graph1000. As an example and not by way of limitation, a user viewing a concept-profile page (such as, for example, by using a web browser or a special-purpose application hosted by the user's client device906) may indicate that he or she likes the concept represented by the concept node1004by clicking or selecting a “Like” icon, which may cause the user's client device906to send to social networking system902a message indicating the user's liking of the concept associated with the concept-profile page. In response to the message, social networking system902may create an edge1006between user node1002associated with the user and concept node1004, as illustrated by “like” edge1006between the user and concept node1004. In particular embodiments, social networking system902may store an edge1006in one or more data stores. In particular embodiments, an edge1006may be automatically formed by social networking system902in response to a particular user action. As an example and not by way of limitation, if a first user uploads a picture, watches a movie, or listens to a song, an edge1006may be formed between user node1002corresponding to the first user and concept nodes1004corresponding to those concepts. Although this disclosure describes forming particular edges1006in particular manners, this disclosure contemplates forming any suitable edges1006in any suitable manner.

In particular embodiments, an advertisement may be text (which may be HTML-linked), one or more images (which may be HTML-linked), one or more videos, audio, one or more ADOBE FLASH files, a suitable combination of these, or any other suitable advertisement in any suitable digital format presented on one or more webpages, in one or more e-mails, or in connection with search results requested by a user. In addition or as an alternative, an advertisement may be one or more sponsored stories (e.g., a news-feed or ticker item on social networking system902). A sponsored story may be a social action by a user (such as “liking” a page, “liking” or commenting on a post on a page, RSVPing to an event associated with a page, voting on a question posted on a page, checking in to a place, using an application or playing a game, or “liking” or sharing a website) that an advertiser promotes, for example, by having the social action presented within a pre-determined area of a profile page of a user or other page, presented with additional information associated with the advertiser, bumped up or otherwise highlighted within news feeds or tickers of other users, or otherwise promoted. The advertiser may pay to have the social action promoted. As an example and not by way of limitation, advertisements may be included among the search results of a search-results page, where sponsored content is promoted over non-sponsored content.

In particular embodiments, an advertisement may be requested for display within social-networking-system webpages, third-party webpages, or other pages. An advertisement may be displayed in a dedicated portion of a page, such as in a banner area at the top of the page, in a column at the side of the page, in a GUI of the page, in a pop-up window, in a drop-down menu, in an input field of the page, over the top of content of the page, or elsewhere with respect to the page. In addition or as an alternative, an advertisement may be displayed within an application. An advertisement may be displayed within dedicated pages, requiring the user to interact with or watch the advertisement before the user may access a page or utilize an application. The user may, for example view the advertisement through a web browser.

A user may interact with an advertisement in any suitable manner. The user may click or otherwise select the advertisement. By selecting the advertisement, the user may be directed to (or a browser or other application being used by the user) a page associated with the advertisement. At the page associated with the advertisement, the user may take additional actions, such as purchasing a product or service associated with the advertisement, receiving information associated with the advertisement, or subscribing to a newsletter associated with the advertisement. An advertisement with audio or video may be played by selecting a component of the advertisement (like a “play button”). Alternatively, by selecting the advertisement, social networking system902may execute or modify a particular action of the user.

An advertisement may also include social-networking-system functionality that a user may interact with. As an example and not by way of limitation, an advertisement may enable a user to “like” or otherwise endorse the advertisement by selecting an icon or link associated with endorsement. As another example and not by way of limitation, an advertisement may enable a user to search (e.g., by executing a query) for content related to the advertiser. Similarly, a user may share the advertisement with another user (e.g., through social networking system902) or RSVP (e.g., through social networking system902) to an event associated with the advertisement. In addition or as an alternative, an advertisement may include social-networking-system context directed to the user. As an example and not by way of limitation, an advertisement may display information about a friend of the user within social networking system902who has taken an action associated with the subject matter of the advertisement.

In particular embodiments, one or more servers may be authorization/privacy servers for enforcing privacy settings. In response to a request from a user (or other entity) for a particular object stored in a data store, social networking system902may send a request to the data store for the object. The request may identify the user associated with the request and may only be sent to the user (or a client device906of the user) if the authorization server determines that the user is authorized to access the object based on the privacy settings associated with the object. If the requesting user is not authorized to access the object, the authorization server may prevent the requested object from being retrieved from the data store, or may prevent the requested object from be sent to the user. In the search query context, an object may only be generated as a search result if the querying user is authorized to access the object. In other words, the object must have a visibility that is visible to the querying user. If the object has a visibility that is not visible to the user, the object may be excluded from the search results. Although this disclosure describes enforcing privacy settings in a particular manner, this disclosure contemplates enforcing privacy settings in any suitable manner.