Method and apparatus for redirection of server external hyper-link references

A server computer system serving World Wide Web pages to client computer systems via an Internet communications link, said server computer system comprising:

• a) a memory providing for the storage of a server program, a Web page, and a data file;
• and
• b) a central processing unit coupled to said memory to provide for the execution of said server program, wherein said server program includes execution instructions that define respective predetermined responses to first and second client request types, said first client request type including a first predetermined request for the return transfer of said Web page to said client computer system, said second client request type including a second predetermined request, including redirection and accounting data, to process said redirection and accounting data, to provide for a return transfer of a redirection message to said client computer system, and to selectively store data corresponding to said accounting data in said data file.

A method of operating a Web server comprising the steps of:

• a) receiving a predetermined service request wherein said predetermined service request may include a redirection directive and redirection URL;
• b) determining whether said predetermined service request includes said redirection directive, and
• c) serving a redirection response message, including said redirection URL, where said predetermined service request includes said redirection directive.