Modular inbox surface for content delivery

Abstract

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:
 presenting a first set of messages in a first portion of an inbox interface for a messaging service, the first portion providing message or thread presentation features;   receiving an instruction to navigate past the first portion of the inbox interface; and   presenting a module in a second portion of the inbox interface, the module configured to share promotional material over the messaging service, the module being distinct from the first portion of the inbox interface that provides the message or message presentation functionality.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , the module being a module that is dedicated to providing the promotional material. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , the module being a module that is dedicated to providing messaging service functionality that is distinct from the promotional material, the promotional material being presented alongside other content of the module. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , the module being a first module among a plurality of modules that are presented in a ranked order, the first module being elevated in the ranked order based on a sponsorship of the module. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , the module generating a new message thread to present the promotional material. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 detecting a location of a mobile client of a user of the messaging service; and   selecting the promotional material based on a proximity of the mobile client to a source of the promotional material.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining if the promotional material is an advertisement or a discount offer; and   selecting a presentation technique for the promotional material depending on whether the promotional material is the advertisement or the discount offer.   
     
     
         8 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions configured to cause one or more processors to:
 present a first set of messages in a first portion of an inbox interface for a messaging service, the first portion providing message or thread presentation features;   receive an instruction to navigate past the first portion of the inbox interface; and   present a module in a second portion of the inbox interface, the module configured to share promotional material over the messaging service, the module being distinct from the first portion of the inbox interface that provides the message or message presentation functionality.   
     
     
         9 . The medium of  claim 8 , the module being a module that is dedicated to providing the promotional material. 
     
     
         10 . The medium of  claim 8 , the module being a module that is dedicated to providing messaging service functionality that is distinct from the promotional material, the promotional material being presented alongside other content of the module. 
     
     
         11 . The medium of  claim 8 , the module being a first module among a plurality of modules that are presented in a ranked order, the first module being elevated in the ranked order based on a sponsorship of the module. 
     
     
         12 . The medium of  claim 8 , the module generating a new message thread to present the promotional material. 
     
     
         13 . The medium of  claim 8 , further storing instructions for:
 detecting a location of a mobile client of a user of the messaging service; and   selecting the promotional material based on a proximity of the mobile client to a source of the promotional material.   
     
     
         14 . The medium of  claim 8 , further storing instructions for:
 determining if the promotional material is an advertisement or a discount offer; and   selecting a presentation technique for the promotional material depending on whether the promotional material is the advertisement or the discount offer.   
     
     
         15 . An apparatus comprising:
 a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a messaging application for connecting to a messaging service; and   a processing component configured to:
 present a first set of messages in a first portion of an inbox interface for the messaging service, the first portion providing message or thread presentation features; 
 receive an instruction to navigate past the first portion of the inbox interface; and 
 present a module in a second portion of the inbox interface, the module configured to share promotional material over the messaging service, the module being distinct from the first portion of the inbox interface that provides the message or message presentation functionality. 
   
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , the module being a module that is dedicated to providing the promotional material. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , the module being a module that is dedicated to providing messaging service functionality that is distinct from the promotional material, the promotional material being presented alongside other content of the module. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , the module being a first module among a plurality of modules that are presented in a ranked order, the first module being elevated in the ranked order based on a sponsorship of the module. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , the module generating a new message thread to present the promotional material. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 determining if the promotional material is an advertisement or a discount offer; and   selecting a presentation technique for the promotional material depending on whether the promotional material is the advertisement or the discount offer.