How is alexa ,Compete able to track website traffic, cookies ?

Question

how do they do it?

what technology is involved?

Answer 1

Google Webmaster Tools  google.com/webmasters/tools

Follow Google's instructions for uploading a file to your WebSite so Google can track it.  Once you've done this, look at a few areas on the Google Webmaster page.  In the Statistics area, click on the Top Search Queries.  It shows 2 things:  the search queries for which your website turned up and the queries from which people actually visited your site./

Answer 2

Hello...

Data comes from users whom have installed the alexa toolbar.

Quote:

Alexa could not exist without the participation of the Alexa Toolbar community. Each member of the community, in addition to getting a useful tool, is giving back. Simply by using the Firefox and IE toolbars each member contributes valuable information about the web, how it is used, what is important and what is not. This information is returned to the community as Related Links, Traffic Rankings and more.

Source:

http://www.alexa.com/site/download

thx

malcolm