# HMAF: A Hierarchical Multi-Slot GD-RTB Allocation Framework

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2606.09896 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2606.09896/

## Key facts

- No citing papers in the map yet (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 5 of its 27 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 4 Jun 2026.

## Builds on (most cited first, 5 of 5)

- [Real-time Bidding for Online Advertising: Measurement and Analysis](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1306.6542/) (2013)
- [Feedback Control of Real-Time Display Advertising](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1603.01055/) (2016)
- [RLTP: Reinforcement Learning to Pace for Delayed Impression Modeling in Preloaded Ads](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2302.02592/) (2023)
- [Impression Allocation and Policy Search in Display Advertising](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2203.07073/) (2022)
- [Beyond Single Slot: Joint Optimization for Multi-Slot Guaranteed Display Advertising](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2605.21556/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

In modern online advertising platforms, Guaranteed Delivery (GD) contracts coexist and bid with Real-Time Bidding (RTB) auctions. Recent approaches either decouple GD and RTB optimization or rely on heuristic priority rules, and thus fail to effectively balance short-term revenue maximization with long-term contract delivery under complex multi-slot delivery and impression constraints. To address these challenges, we propose HMAF (Hierarchical Multi-Slot Allocation Framework), a unified framework designed to optimize impression allocation in GD--RTB advertising platforms. HMAF employs the Plan--Calibrate--Execute paradigm as its core structure, and integrates offline constraint optimization with online decision-making, balancing offline GD resource planning, dynamically calibrating GD--RTB competitiveness, and making real-time listwise rank decisions across multi-slot environments. HMAF has been implemented in multiple marketing scenarios at Meituan, one of the world's largest online food delivery platforms, leading to a 3.72% increase in GD delivery rate and a 1.59% increase in total advertisement revenue.