according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention , an apparatus and method for intermediate storage of tentative bookmark information is disclosed . the bookmark staging mechanism of the present invention allows a web user , during a browsing session , to temporarily “ stage ” or “ mark ” visited sites as potential bookmarks . at the close of the browsing session , or at some other appropriate time during the browsing session , the user can review the list of staged bookmarks and “ promote ” any or all staged bookmarks while simultaneously discarding any undesired bookmarks . the promoted bookmarks become part of the user &# 39 ; s standard bookmark file and can be accessed at a later time , as desired . in addition , the user has the option of quitting the browser and saving the staging area , with the intermediate or staged bookmarks intact . the user can then return at a later time and continue the same search , using the previously staged bookmarks . this unique process allows a user to maintain a list of high - quality bookmarks that will lead the user back to the sites which are most suited to the user &# 39 ; s specific information needs . a user can bookmark any and all promising sites without worrying about the possibility of spending hours deleting bookmarks that ultimately prove less valuable . similarly , a user can bookmark even less promising sites and , if no better sites materialize during subsequent searching , promote those staged sites to the permanent bookmark file for later use .