Abstract: A method for configuring a web site tracking program on a computer coupled over a network to a web server whereby the web page or object to be tracked is displayed on a display device within a browser window in synchronicity with the web site tracking criteria selected for that page or object. The web browser is operated on the computer with a configuration program to retrieve a web page or object from the web site server and display it in a browser window and the tracking criteria within a configuration pane or subwindow. The operator selects within the configuration pane or subwindow the web tracking criterion to be configured and the proper URL, FTP or other identifying link to the criteria is automatically generated for and associated with the web page or object displayed.

Abstract: A method for tracking and reporting traffic activity on a web site first comprises storing a web page on a first server coupled to a network. When the web page is requested from a visitor computer, the visitor computer is selected (or not selected) for inclusion within a sample group, where the sample group is only a subset of the total traffic to the web site. A selection indicator is stored on the visitor computer associated with this selection. Data mining code within the web site is operated or not operated depending upon the value of the selection indicator. The data mining code is operated, and the activity of the visitor computer on the web site consequently tracked only if the visitor computer is selected as a member within the sample group, otherwise the data mining code is not operated and no traffic activity is generated.

Abstract: The operation of multimedia applications, such as Macromedia's Flash, embedded within a web page and downloaded by a visitor computer is tracked by using data mining code operating within the multimedia application, or by such code in conjunction with an interface within the web page. Each operation of the web page triggers a URL page request to a data tracking server that is coupled over a wide area network to the visitor computer and to the server from which the web page is downloaded. An example of such a trigger is a getURL command which, when activated, can be used to track such items as multimedia functions used within the multimedia application, pages viewed, scenes viewed, etc. The URL page request includes within the request data that is compiled by the data mining code at the visitor computer and arranged so that the raw data can be reconstituted at the data tracking server and compiled into reports accessible to the web page operator.