Patent ID: 8255563

Claim:
A method for optimizing internet traffic flow through a web network containing a plurality of interlinked content elements, the method comprising: receiving an overall content value corresponding to a content element, wherein the overall content value is based on a revenue value corresponding to the content element, and a subsequent flow value corresponding to the content element; balancing the overall content value with a cost associated with the content element; modifying the web network based on the balancing, so as to increase overall revenue generated by the web network; and determining a return value arising from modifying the web network, wherein the return value is equal to an internal rate of return (“IRR”) such that I ⁢ ⁢ R ⁢ ⁢ R = ∑ j = 1 N ⁢ π i , j ⁢ v j Cost - R i - 1 wherein “Cost” is equal to the cost associated with modifying the web network.