Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for targeting segments of customers. A system maps users to targeting segments based on a respective purchase history of the users, and receives a segment identifier from a server, the segment identifier to be associated with a targeting segment from the targeting segments for anonymously identifying the targeting segment. Next, the system associates the segment identifier with the targeting segment and users mapped to the targeting segment, and sends, to the server, the segment identifier and unique user identifiers of the users mapped to the targeting segment associated with the segment identifier, the unique user identifiers masking respective identities of the users from the server and the segment identifier masking an identity of the targeting segment associated with the segment identifier. The system then instructs the server to deliver selected invitational content to at least one unique user identifier associated with the segment identifier.