1. A method of generating a personalized offer for a user through an information gathering system disposed on the Internet, the method comprising: storing a user profile for each of a plurality of registered users as a data record in a profile database operating in the information gathering system; receiving an information request message at the information gathering system, wherein the information request message is sent in response to the user activating a hyperlink presented on a participating web site, wherein the information request message conforms to an Internet protocol; wherein the participating web site is operated independently from the information gathering system and wherein the user activates the hyperlink in order to access an original intended destination distinct from the information gathering system; in response to receiving the information request message, executing a database query at the information gathering system to determine whether the user is one of the plurality of registered users; and if the user is one of the plurality of registered users: retrieving the user profile from the profile database; generating a personalized destination according to the profile of the user, wherein the personalized destination is related to the original intended destination and is distinct from the participating web site; and sending a redirection message from the information gathering system, wherein the redirection message specifies the personalized destination, wherein the redirection message conforms to the Internet protocol.