Methods and systems for modifying a user profile for a recommendation algorithm and making recommendations based on user interactions with items

An apparatus for modifying a user profile for a recommendation algorithm, comprising:

• a user interface providing a user with electronic access to an item, the item comprising one of a document, an article, a chart, a graphic, a report, and a web page, and enabling user interaction with the item;
• a software application for electronically tracking the user interaction with the item;
• a database for storing the user interaction with the item;
• a database for storing a user profile;
• wherein:
• the software application modifies the user profile based on the tracked user interactions;
• and
• the modified user profile is used by a recommendation engine to serve items or peer recommendations to the user tailored to the modified user profile.

A method for providing recommendations using a continuously modifiable user profile, comprising:

• entering an initial user profile;
• providing a user with electronic access to an item, the item comprising one of a document, an article, a chart, a graphic, a report, and a web page;
• enabling user interaction with the item;
• electronically tracking and storing the user interaction with the item;
• modifying the initial user profile based on the tracked user interactions;
• and
• serving one or more items or peer recommendations to the user based on the modified user profile.

A system for providing recommendations using a continuously modifiable user profile, comprising:

• a user interface providing a user with electronic access to an item, the item comprising one of a document, an article, a chart, a graphic, a report, and a web page and enabling user interaction with the item;
• a software application for electronically tracking the user interaction with the item;
• a database for storing the user interaction with the item;
• a database for storing a user profile;
• a recommendation engine for serving items to users based on the user profile;
• wherein:
• the software application modifies the user profile based on the tracked user interactions;
• and
• the modified user profile is used by a recommendation engine to serve one or more items or peer recommendations to the user tailored to the modified user profile.