This project aims to study the basic research questions that lie behind the growing list of “ad auction” applications. While most of the basic work in algorithmic game theory and algorithmic mechanism design came from academic research, most of the research on ad auctions so far originates in industrial research. We propose that many of the challenges brought by the growing sophistication of ad auctions have fundamental underpinnings that suggest basic research questions. Our intent is to take a broad view of these challenges, focusing on foundational issues, taking a wide perspective, from the high-level issues of Algorithmic Game Theory through the Algorithmic Mechanism Design aspects, to basic challenges of electronic markets and auctions, and ending with the fundamental challenges raised by the ad-auction domain of applications. A more detailed overview plan can be found here in the attachment below. Individual PI plans can be found on the Team page or summarized in the Team Plans page. |