Systems and methods for classified advertising in an authenticated web-based social network

1 . A method for advertising in an authenticated web-based social network, the method comprising:

providing a screen for creation of a classified advertisement;

receiving the classified advertisement from an advertising member; and

displaying the classified advertisement on a user network in the authenticated web-based social network with information about a relationship between the advertising member and a member of the authenticated web-based social network viewing the classified advertisement.

2 . The method of claim 1 , the method further comprising:

receiving a question from the viewing member about the classified advertisement.

3 . The method of claim 2 , the method further comprising:

receiving an answer to the question from the advertising member.

4 . The method of claim 3 , the method further comprising:

displaying the question and the answer and the question near the classified advertisement.

5 . The method of claim 1 , the method further comprising:

displaying the classified advertisement on a second user network in the authenticated web-based social network.

6 . The method of claim 5 , the method further comprising:

displaying the classified advertisement on a third user network in the authenticated web-based social network.

7 . The method of claim 1 , the method further comprising:

reporting the classified advertisement as spam in the authenticated web-based social network.

8 . A system for advertising in an authenticated web-based social network, the system comprising:

an advertising engine configured to generate a screen for creation of a classified advertisement;

a communications module in communication with the advertising engine, the communications module configured to receive the classified advertisement from an advertising member;

a distributed database for the authenticated web-based social network in communication with the advertising engine and the communications module, the distributed database configured with a user network and relationship information; and

a display module in communication with the advertising engine, the communications module, and the distributed database, the display module configured to display the classified advertisement on the user network with the relationship information.

9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the screen includes an option for the classified advertisement to appear on a personal profile page for the advertising member.

10 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the screen includes a product or a service category.

11 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the user network includes members of the web-based social network having an authenticated affiliation with a particular school.

12 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the user network includes members of the web-based social network having an authenticated affiliation with a particular employer.

13 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the user network includes members of the web-based social network having an authenticated affiliation with a particular geographic region.

14 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the relationship information includes friends in common among various members of the authenticated web-based social network.

15 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the relationship information includes colleagues in common among various members of the authenticated web-based social network.

16 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the relationship information includes classmates in common among various members of the authenticated web-based social network.

17 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the relationship information includes degrees of separation among various members of the authenticated web-based social network.

18 . A computer readable medium having embedded thereon a program, the program being executable by a processor for performing a method for advertising in an authenticated web-based social network, the method comprising:

providing a screen for creation of a classified advertisement;

receiving the classified advertisement from an advertising member; and

displaying the classified advertisement on a user network in the authenticated web-based social network with information about a relationship between the advertising member and a member of the authenticated web-based social network viewing the classified advertisement.

19 . The computer readable medium of claim 18 , the method further comprising:

receiving a question from the viewing member about the classified advertisement.

20 . The computer readable medium of claim 19 , the method further comprising:

receiving an answer to the question from the advertising member.