[billmcintosh]

Google Analytics is a very accurate and useful tool.

That being said, I believe the use of Google analytics can impact the rankings of your site. This can be a good impact or bad impact depending on what data Google gathers about your site visitors. Since Google doesn't clearly explain what they are doing with the data they are gathering, or how it will effect my sites rankings: I rarely use analytics on any of my sites.

I'm going to put on my tinfoil hat now and share some personal opinions:

I also have a bit of a problem with some of Google's data gathering practices and the fact that I don't think they are being very clear with the public on what they are doing with this data in general. Think about it this way:

Every website you visit that contains either Google analytics, AdSense or banner ads served by DoubleClick is tracking you. They know what sites you are on and your complete browsing behavior.

Every click you make on an AdSense Ad tells Google a little bit more about your interests.

Every search you do tells them a little more.

Do you have a Google account? They set cookies and use other means to aggressively track your use of any of their services.

Do you have multiple Google accounts that you log into from the same computer? They know all about this too.

Do you set up a webmaster account for every one of your sites? They know all about these too.

Have you ever bought something from Google Checkout? Now they know some of your buying habits.

Have you ever sold something from Google Checkout? Now they have some data on the health of your business and your paying customers.

Now pull all this information together into one massive database. That's what Google has access to right now. They are using this data for many things and it's my opinion they aren't being clear enough about the use of this data.

After all, haven't you ever wondered why Google Analytics is free?

So this is a big reason why I don't use analytics.

I'm now removing my tinfoil hat and will resume my normal marketing duties.