<p>A plurality of pages viewed by a communications network user (e.g., an Internet user) are classified as pertaining to one of a plurality of topics. A count of each of the pages viewed by the communications network user for each of the topics is tracked, as is a recency with which each of the pages viewed by the communications network user was viewed for each of the topics. The communications network user is characterized as belonging to one or more behavioral segments based on the couny and the recency. Advertisements are served to the communications network user based on at least advertising targeting parameters and the characterization.</p>