Google analytics

[loyalknight10]

I love using Google analytics. It is a valuable tool which is being offered for free. I guess most of the webmasters love enjoying it.

I can track of most of my site users using it. Does anyone here like using Google analytics.

[artemis]

Yes, it is a very good tool. There are many other analytical sites out there that charge for the same type of service.

Kudos to Google!

[scottelkin]

We are very cautious about Google Analytics. Google has a track record of using any data that it can get it's hands on in order to better rank you and better price your ads. So although it is free, we want to be able to decide what we want Google to see and know about.

[simplyme]

Originally Posted by scottelkin

We are very cautious about Google Analytics. Google has a track record of using any data that it can get it's hands on in order to better rank you and better price your ads. So although it is free, we want to be able to decide what we want Google to see and know about.

Honestly, I never thought about it that way. I can definitely see what you are saying though. Good looking out!

[jimbo]

I have been using Google Analytics for many of my sites and I am more then happy with the product especially as it is free.

[artemis]

Originally Posted by scottelkin

We are very cautious about Google Analytics. Google has a track record of using any data that it can get it's hands on in order to better rank you and better price your ads. So although it is free, we want to be able to decide what we want Google to see and know about.

Hi Scott,

What do you mean by;

"using any data that it can get it's hands on in order to better rank you and better price your ads."?

Are the stats semi-artificial? Is the data skewed to manipulate the value of keywords on your site(s)?

I've used Webalizer and AWStats and have come up with different numbers even though they are all running and collecting from the same website(s). Am I naive to think Google wouldn't manipulate their data?

Artemis

[joerzoe]

If you are using google's product, one of the best and useful tool is google analytic.Since you know where your visitors come.Then you can plan you strategy to gain more earning from it.

[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.

[jimbo]

Has anyone noticed a drop in page load time since using Google Analytics. A few friends of mine mentioned this to me.

[artemis]

Okay, strange thing happed....

Several weeks ago I removed Google Analytics from one of my sites that I was advertising through Google Adwords. What prompted this change was the adwords clicks and analytics clicks were not matching or even close.

I switched over to GetClicky (my affiliate link btw) and my numbers almost matched exactly. So if in one day, I had 50 adwords clicks, I would have close to 50 hits on my site (via getclicky stats). Yes, I did have some bounces just like with analytics but still, How could Analytics not pickup on or report unique hits to my site?

Incidentally (or coincidentally) I started to receive more clicks through my adwords ads. The clicks seemed to have stabilized after a few days or so but after doing this a second time I had almost similar results.

Google - what are you doing to me!?!?!

Anyone else have similar experiences?