Patent ID: 7734709

Claim:
A method for controlling electronic conversation message response traffic, said method comprising the steps of: a first user receiving response electronic conversation messages comprising a first electronic conversation message from an unknown subscriber comprising a second user; setting a response throttle characteristic comprising an external threshold characteristic not part of the content of an electronic conversation message, said response throttle characteristic for limiting the presentation of responses from unknown subscribers of messages from said first user, said electronic conversation message being sent from said first user to said unknown subscribers through a BOT, said unknown subscribers being anonymous to the first user and being anonymous to other said unknown subscribers; identifying said first electronic conversation message as a conversation session, the conversation session related to said response throttle characteristics; determining whether presentation of said first electronic message to said first user is permitted based on said response throttle characteristics; wherein said determining step further comprises the steps of: limiting the number of response electronic conversation messages presented to the first user to a predetermined number of responses, limiting presentation of response electronic conversation messages to said first user to response electronic conversation messages received during a predetermined time period, prioritizing presentation of response electronic conversation messages to the first user by prioritizing response electronic conversation messages of previous responders over response electronic conversation messages of new responders, and presenting only response electronic conversation messages from predefined senders; presenting said first electronic conversation message to said first user when said determination permits presentation; and blocking presentation of said first electronic conversation message to said first user when said determination does not permit presentation.