If this new patented technology can be achieved, Facebook can quickly estimate the user's economic situation.
The patent, filed on July 27, 2016, was released just prior to Thursday, and the patent document presents an algorithm that can help improve Facebook's targeting capabilities in order to provide users with more relevant ads.
The decision tree first asks the user's age and then begins to ask a question that appears relevant to the user's age group.
As you can see, people between the ages of 20 and 30 are asked how many network devices they have, and people between 30 and 40 are asked if they own a home.
Other related issues relate to a person's travel history, what type of device the user owns, how many internet-connected devices they have, and what their highest level of education is. Eventually it places the user in one of three categories: worker Class, middle class or upper class.
Facebook admits that users may be less willing to say their annual income, and the patented online system often does not have information about user revenue because users typically do not share sensitive information such as personal income on social software.
However, Facebook is very concerned about the issue of income, the patent can use other personal data to make their own conclusions.
Facebook recently been criticized for its invasive positioning strategy, how do you rate this patent?