Patent ID: 8065193

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for making an online posted comment distinctive relative to other online posted comments, the method comprising the steps of: a. publishing internet content online by an internet content provider; b. providing with said published content a section for posting reader comments; c. providing to a reader of said published internet content who can leave a reader comment in response to said content an option of posting for free said reader comment as a default format comment or posting for a fee a said reader comment in a distinctive format relative to a default format comment; d. providing, by said internet content provider or a third party associated with said internet content provider, an online auction for said distinctive format, such that a higher bid among one or more bidders on said distinctive format is awarded said distinctive format; e. receiving, by said internet content provider or a third party associated with said internet content provider, said reader's bid for making said reader's comment distinctive relative to a default format; f. comparing said bid to previous bids by other bidders; g. in response to said bid being equal to or lower than a previous bid by said previous bidders, notifying said reader of such and offering to said reader the opportunity to bid again; h. repeating step (d) through (g) until said reader's bid is greater than a previous higher bid; and i. posting said reader's comment in said distinctive format.