Tracking Unique Clicks

[isedeasy]

Hi guys and gals,

 

Basically I have a database which tracks clicks on my outbound links, I do this by linking to a page like so...

 

/redirect.php?id=1

 

The page then reads the id and increments the click column in the database before selecting the link and redirecting.

 

I need it to only count the click if its from a unique IP for the link, what would be the best way to do this?

 

I was thinking of having another table with columns "IP" and "link_id", Then I could check the IP against the list of IP's for the current link. If its not there then add it and add the click, otherwise only redirect.

 

I want to find the best method before I start to try and code this so any help is appreciated.

[Daniel0]

If it's not crucially important, I would just use a cookie to check if they've clicked it. Sure, it can easily be circumvented, but it will also be much easier on the database.

[isedeasy]

I had not thought of that, that would be an easier and more efficient way to do it I suppose. The only problem is that if I want to use it for a "unique PPC" it can be circumvented like you said.

[isedeasy]

Does anyone else have any ideas on how to go about this?

 

Cheers for any input.