User identification methods

User identification methods enable product teams to recognize and track individual users across their product journey. Anonymous identification assigns temporary IDs to users before authentication, commonly implemented through browser cookies or device IDs. These IDs help maintain session continuity and track basic behavioral patterns.

Authenticated identification occurs when users log in or create accounts, providing more reliable tracking through unique user IDs, email addresses, or customer numbers. This method enables cross-device tracking and detailed user journey analysis. Modern systems often combine both approaches, linking anonymous activities to authenticated profiles once users identify themselves.

Keep in mind that privacy regulations like GDPR and CCPA require clear user consent for tracking and data collection.^[1]