Let’s begin with the obvious: you bookmark what you use. Whether you are bookmarking the sites that you get information and products from or you are bookmarking sites that you post on, bookmarks help you keep track of the sites you use and like the most.

While bookmarking solely to keep track of the sites you like is a good strategy, it is really only the beginning. Here are five ways you can keep track of your favorite sites while indulging in social bookmarking at the same time.

The first strategy is for one week, simply keep track of all the sites that you visit. Now bookmark them. In addition, bookmark your own site on any social bookmarking services you use. The idea behind this is that you want to create the most effective, globally seen pages. Since social bookmarking sites like Del.icio.us and Digg allow other users to see your bookmarks, adding your own site is an absolute must.

The second strategy is shared content and rank based on that content. For example, if there is a site that shares nearly all the same subject matter as your own, rank that as site one. Then continue downward through five or ten sites. Consider posting a link to the most complimentary of these sites.

If you have an established presence on the site, consider requesting that the administrator or creator post a link to your site from their site. Mention to them that you have added a link to their site. Also, be sure to add your site to any services you use to access these sites.

The next strategy is to gather statistics on referrals to your site. There are services, programs and simple methods you can research to create this analysis. Find the sites that refer the most viewers back to your site. Add a link of the greatest referrer. Contact the administrator or creator of that site and ask them to create a link to your site on their site. Also, add your site to any services that you use to access these sites.

You can use this link to find out what sort content or site your viewers are coming from and what they may be looking for on your site.

Seek out sites that are recommended or referred to on the sites you post on. If you see a site mentioned several times regularly consider visiting. Tally up the most common and consider adding the most commonly referenced of them. Consider adding a link on your site to the most commonly referenced site and contacting the administrator or creator about adding a link to your site on their site. Also, add your site to any services that you use to find the site(s).

It can be helpful to be familiar with what is popular and respected among the group or community that you are participating in.

Depending on the options of the social bookmarking service that you use, consider simply adding bookmarks for people. Generally these would be people that are involved in the area that you are bookmarking, and these can be professional acquaintances or partners. Bookmark not only their private sites but browse through their bookmarks and see what they’ve found helpful and bookmark those as well.