Systems and methods for selecting and inserting advertisements in an information
document displayed to a user, wherein the selection is based at least in part on
television programming viewed by the user. The systems and methods may be implemented
using the Internet or another information retrieval system that includes a client
system and a remote server. The client system monitors television programming viewed
by the user and compiles a user profile characterizing the television programming.
When the user requests an Internet resource using the client system, the television
programming information in the user profile is utilized to select an appropriate
advertisement. The advertisement is then inserted in the information document and
displayed to the user. Advertisement selection and insertion may be conducted at
the remote server, the client system, or at the level of the Internet service provider.
Such selection of advertisement increases the efficiency by which Internet advertisements
are tailored to individuals. Instead of advertisements, information relating to
the television programming may be retrieved over the Internet and displayed without
direct user assistance.