tracking idea: unique bookmarks

[partha]

I just thought of a possible way to track users with 100% accuracy.

First, you have to have a reason that users will actually want to be uniquely identified on your site -- some extra features they will get if they do.

Then, just tell them "hey you'll get these extra features if you click this link to bookmark my site". When you click the link to bookmark, it will invoke javascript to create a bookmark to your site's main url PLUS an ID number, e.g. "www.mysite.org/index.php?ID=23" and encourage them to always use the bookmark so they can have access to their personalized extra features.

[carguy84]

ya, but what if I just type that url in directly? or start changing the id?

Is your goal to get some one to bookmark the site, or is your goal to identify users? If it's the latter, use a cookie.

Chip-

[partha]

but cookies only work like 30% of the time right?

[DerekH]

First, you have to have a reason that users will actually want to be uniquely identified on your site -- some extra features they will get if they do.

Then, just tell them "hey you'll get these extra features if you click this link to bookmark my site".

Like they'll get onto spam mailing lists without their consent?

Though you think this approach has, in your words, 100% accuracy, I think you'll find yourself sadly mistaken.
Most people, myself included, take a long hard look at a link before clicking on it. Anything with a hint of an ID on it is *never* clicked on.
Or don't you get over 100 spam emails a day from a mistake a few years ago? I did - I clicked on such a link. It's screwed one of my email addresses...
DerekH