Patent ID: 8724789

Claim:
A method, comprising: receiving a directory assistance request from a user over a telephonic connection with the user; identifying the user via an automatic number identification service and authenticating the user over the telephonic connection; determining, via a computing device, the directory assistance request is a request relating to a non-advertiser business; in response to determining the directory assistance request is the request relating to the non-advertiser business: identifying the non-advertiser business; prior to providing directory assistance information responsive to the directory assistance request, making available a first option to receive a first advertisement for a first advertiser business to the user over the telephonic connection with the user, wherein the first option further comprises a second option comprising an offer to connect the telephonic connection with the user to the first advertiser business; determining the user declines the first option based on a preference of the user stored in an account of the user; in response to the user declining the first option, based on the preference of the user, charging the user a fee for providing the directory assistance information and providing directory assistance information responsive to the directory assistance request; determining the user accepts the first option based on a preference of the user stored in the account of the user; in response to the user accepting the first option, based on the preference of the user, presenting in an audible form the first advertisement for the first advertiser business to the user over the telephonic connection with the second option comprising the offer to connect the telephonic connection with the user to the first advertiser business prior to providing the directory assistance information, and reducing the fee for providing the directory assistance information; responsive to the user being connected with the first advertiser business via the second option, charging the first advertiser business an advertisement fee; determining, via the computing device, the directory assistance request is a request relating to a business category; in response to determining the directory assistance request is the request relating to the business category: presenting a second advertisement for a second advertiser business to the user over the telephonic connection with the user, wherein a business of the second advertiser relates to the business category; and reducing the fee for providing the directory assistance information.