摘要 |
A method and system which allows for information pertaining to search requests made from an information source to be tracked with respect to whether the information provided is then used is described. In particular, the invention provides a method and system whereby contact information in particular can be monitored, to determine whether communications in accordance with the contact information are subsequently established after provision of the contact information in response to a search request. This is achieved by receiving information relating to a search request and providing a data item or token having a particular value, identity, or other discernible property and which is indicative of the contents of the search term. The data item or token having the discernible property is provided for communication to a user who has performed a search request, together with contact information provided as a result of the search request. A monitoring process is then undertaken to determine whether the user establishes a communications session with a third party in accordance with the provided contact information, and if such a session is established the discernible property of the data item or token is elicited from the user. By then reviewing the elicited property (for example by comparison against a database or the like, or by applying a known function to the property value) the contents of the search term can be determined. In this way, information as to which search terms ultimately lead to contact being established can be found.
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