Method and apparatus for modifying internet content through redirection of embedded objects

An apparatus for directing network service provider selected embedded objects to an internet user client, comprising:

• means for maintaining a database of internet user clients that includes a particular service-type value for each internet user client;
• means for analyzing an HTTP transaction involving the internet user client;
• means for responding to an HTTP transaction requesting an embedded web object by forwarding to the internet user client, an alternative embedded web object selected in accordance with the user client's particular service-type value, wherein the alternative embedded web object arrives to the internet user client before a response to the originally requested embedded web object;
• and
• means for causing the originally requested embedded web object to be forwarded to the internet user client after the alternative embedded web object is forwarded to the internet user client.

A computer program product, comprising:

• computer readable medium storing:
• code for causing a computer to maintain a database of a network service provider's internet user clients that includes a particular service-type value for each internet user client;
• code for causing a computer to analyze an HTTP transaction involving the internet user client;
• code for causing a computer to respond to an HTTP transaction requesting an embedded web object by forwarding to the internet user client, an alternative embedded web object selected in accordance with the user client's particular service-type value, wherein the alternative embedded web object arrives to the internet user client before a response to the originally requested embedded web object;
• and
• code for causing a computer to forward the originally requested embedded web object to the internet user client after the alternative embedded web object is forwarded to the internet user client.