Abstract: A method of commercial Internet-based communication. The method includes a first entity such as a web merchant receiving an email or other address from a user. The first entity transmits a unique identifier associated with the user to a second entity, while the entity maintains the user communication address in secrecy from a second entity. The second entity accesses a database containing past Internet activity information associated with a multitude of Internet users, and determines a past Internet activity associated with the user's unique identifier. Based on the past activity of the user, the second entity communicates to the first entity whether a direct communication to the user is warranted, and if so, transmits information about a recommended communication such as a promotional emailing. The first entity sends such a communication to the user's communication address.

Abstract: A method and facility for commercial Internet-based communication with a user includes a first entity receiving a web browsing activity communication from the user along with a unique device identifier. A second entity receives a user communication address and the first identifier from the user. The first entity transmits to the second entity a resulting communication such as an email solicitation intended for the user along with the first identifier. The communication may be based on the web browsing activity. The second entity transmits the resulting communication to the user communication address. The web browsing data and the communication address are maintained securely and separately, so that no one entity has access to both set of data.