A network-based URL management and data gathering system is provided. The system utilizes a client-side utility for capturing URLs during normal Web browsing, and a server-side utility for organizing and managing the captured URLs on the network. The server-side utility periodically sends a request to a proxy browsing and data gathering utility for navigating to and retrieving data from Web pages associated with the captured URLs. Data retrieved from the Web pages is returned in summary form for presentation to subscribing users. In preferred embodiments, the system is practiced on the Internet network between users operating an Internet-capable appliance having an Internet connection, and an Internet portal service.