Modular inbox surface for content delivery
Exemplary embodiments relate to improvements in the design of a messaging inbox. The inbox may display different units or “modules” for providing a user with quick access to different inbox functionalities. After a number of recent or unread messages are shown in the inbox's initial interface, the messages end and are replaced with modules. In some embodiments, promotional material may be integrated into a module, or may be integrated as a module. For example, a new message thread may be created to indicate a store in which a discount is offered. The message may appear in a module, or may stand in the place of a module. The promotional material may be selected based on proximity. The messaging service may differentiate between sponsored materials advertising a product or service, and purely beneficial materials such as coupons.
1. A method, comprising:
receiving, from a messaging service, a plurality of messages in an inbox of a messaging application on a client device; and
presenting an inbox interface of the messaging application, the inbox interface comprising:
a first portion displaying a first set of unread messages from the inbox;
a second portion displaying a plurality of functional modules providing services different from the message or message thread presentation features of the messaging application; and
a third portion displaying a second set of messages comprising remaining messages in the inbox not displayed in the first portion;
wherein content items having purely promotional content are displayed in an advertising-specific functional module and further wherein content items having a discount offer are displayed in non-advertising-specific functional modules.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
detecting a location of the client device; and
selecting the promotional content based on a proximity of the client device to a source of the promotional content.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving a user interaction with the promotional content; and
displaying a user interface allowing the sending of the promotional content to one or more other client devices.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving a user interaction with the promotional content; and
sending a new message or thread to the inbox regarding the promotional content.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the promotional content comprises a scannable code offering a discount when scanned at a retail location associated with the promotional content.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining a user affinity of a user of the messaging application for a plurality of promotional contents;
ranking the plurality of promotional contents based on the user affinity; and
displaying higher-ranked promotional contents earlier within the functional module.
7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:
determining a ranking of a plurality of functional modules based on the rankings of promotional contents displayed within each functional module; and
displaying higher-ranked functional modules earlier in the second portion of the inbox.
8. A system comprising:
a processor; and
memory, coupled to the processor and storing software that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to:
receive, from a messaging service, a plurality of messages in an inbox of a messaging application on a client device; and
present an inbox interface of the messaging application for the messaging service, the inbox interface comprising:
a first portion displaying a first set of unread messages from the inbox;
a second portion displaying a plurality of functional modules providing services different from the message or message thread presentation features of the messaging application; and
a third portion displaying a second set of messages comprising remaining messages in the inbox not displayed in the first portion;
wherein content items having purely promotional content are displayed in an advertising-specific functional module and further wherein content items having a discount offer are displayed in non-advertising-specific functional modules.
9. The system of claim 8 , the software further causing the system to:
detect a location of the client device; and
select the promotional content based on a proximity of the client device to a source of the promotional content.
10. The system of claim 8 , the software further causing the system to:
receive a user interaction with the promotional content; and
display a user interface allowing the sending of the promotional content to one or more other client devices.
11. The system of claim 8 , the software further causing the system to:
receive a user interaction with the promotional content; and
send a new message or thread to the inbox regarding the promotional content.
12. The system of claim 8 , wherein the promotional content comprises a scannable code offering a discount when scanned at a retail location associated with the promotional content.
13. The system of claim 8 , the software further causing the system to:
determine a user affinity for a plurality of promotional contents;
rank the plurality of promotional contents based on the user affinity; and
display higher-ranked promotional contents earlier within the functional module.
14. The system of claim 13 , the software further causing the system to:
determine a ranking of a plurality of functional modules based on the ranking of promotional contents displayed within each functional module; and
display higher-ranked functional modules earlier in the second portion of the inbox.
15. A non-volatile, computer-readable storage medium containing software that, when executed by a processor, cause a system to:
receive, from a messaging service, a plurality of messages in an inbox of a messaging application on a client device; and
present an inbox interface of the messaging application for the messaging service, the inbox interface comprising:
a first portion displaying a first set of unread messages from the inbox;
a second portion displaying a plurality of functional modules providing services different from the message or message thread presentation features of the messaging application; and
a third portion displaying a second set of messages comprising remaining messages in the inbox not displayed in the first portion;
wherein content items having purely promotional content are displayed in an advertising-specific functional module and further wherein content items having a discount offer are displayed in non-advertising-specific functional modules.
16. The medium of claim 15 , the software further causing the system to:
detect a location of the client device; and
select the promotional content based on a proximity of the client device to a source of the promotional content.
17. The medium of claim 15 , the software further causing the system to:
receive a user interaction with the promotional content; and
display a user interface allowing the sending of the promotional content to one or more other client devices.
18. The medium of claim 15 , the software further causing the system to:
receive a user interaction with the promotional content; and
send a new message or thread to the inbox regarding the promotional content;
wherein the promotional content comprises a scannable code offering a discount when scanned at a retail location associated with the promotional content.
19. The medium of claim 15 , the software further causing the system to:
determine a user affinity for a plurality of promotional contents;
rank the plurality of promotional contents based on the user affinity; and
display higher-ranked promotional contents earlier within the functional module.
20. The medium of claim 19 , the software further causing the system to:
determine a ranking of a plurality of functional modules based on the ranking of promotional contents displayed within each functional module; and
display higher-ranked functional modules earlier in the second portion of the inbox.