Google Analytics; Can Google 'Steal' Your Data?

Rough Outline · 12-26-2010, 12:15 PM

I've just installed Google Analytics on some domains and I selected the option to not share my data with Google but can they still steal the data?

Thanks,
Matt

orvn · 12-26-2010, 12:20 PM

I've often wondered whether use of analytics (something ubiquitous amongst marketers, designers and programmers) can directly impact one's SEO.

For instance, a spam site or poorly written article would have a monstrous bounce rate, I am curious as to whether an analytics account can affect such a site in SERPs.

Additionally, doesn't Analytics give Google mass amount of hidden (internal) data about the REAL popularity of links? If you were Google, wouldn't you take advantage of this?

markowe · 12-26-2010, 12:29 PM

Yes, I don't put GA everywhere, no evidence, just a suspicious mind. G doesn't need to 'steal' that data, they've GOT it already!

yukon · 12-26-2010, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rough Outline

I've just installed Google Analytics on some domains and I selected the option to not share my data with Google but can they still steal the data?

Thanks,
Matt

Sorry, that just sounds funny to me.

Think about it, If Google is showing you your data in GA, then they already know everything before you see it in your account.

The "No Show Option" is to make a webmaster think they have a little control over the data.

I run GA & could care less what Google is looking at, I get most of my traffic from forums, maybe 1/4 of the traffic is from the SERPs.

vibe89 · 12-26-2010, 12:48 PM

yeah i my point of you ,, you are giving access to let them crawl all your data . yeah they can take advantage of your if they want to..

Rough Outline · 12-26-2010, 01:05 PM

I know they can access data any way they want, I'm just worried they might use it for malicious purposes and Google Analytics packages it up nicely for them to look at my sites.

orvn · 12-26-2010, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vibe89

yeah they can take advantage of your if they want to..

If they want to?

I wonder if Analytics can cause a lower SERP position.

yukon · 12-26-2010, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orvn

If they want to?

I wonder if Analytics can cause a lower SERP position.

I don't think it does, I have a few #1 positions for short tail (2 keywords) in the SERPs.

Lol, I know you guys get tired of hearing this, but ehow is running Google Analytics. They don't have much trouble staying in the top 3 positions of the SERPs for almost every niche.

I only know this because I've looked at their source code a few times.

El Zorro · 12-26-2010, 01:29 PM

So can Google lower your search position based on what Analytics tells them?

Do they actually do it or is it just one more IM myth?

yukon · 12-26-2010, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Zorro

So can Google lower your search position based on what Analytics tells them?

Do they actually do it or is it just one more IM myth?

It was a question, not a statement.

pjman · 12-26-2010, 02:12 PM

This is why I never use Google Analytics. They are a public company what happens when they need to turn a profit, they will use everything available to them to make their product better. Just wait until 30% of the Internet is using GA, they know everything about 30% of the Internet. I think the cons heavily outweigh the pros.

I only use google web site optimizer for running landing page experiments.

OnlineMarketingSys · 12-26-2010, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Zorro

So can Google lower your search position based on what Analytics tells them?

Do they actually do it or is it just one more IM myth?

It's more of a myth than anything, Matt Cutts spoke about this in a recent Q and A session and said that they do not use any Analytics data. But keep in mind that as long as the information is there, they can certainly use it.

YouTube - Is Google Analytics data a factor in a...

12-26-2010, 12:15 PM	#1
Rough Outline Keyword Extraordinaire War Room Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: England, UK Posts: 836 Thanks: 90 Thanked 90 Times in 76 Posts Contact Info	Google Analytics; Can Google 'Steal' Your Data? I've just installed Google Analytics on some domains and I selected the option to not share my data with Google but can they still steal the data? Thanks, Matt
	Selling Exact Match Domain Websites With PR and Traffic - PM Me For List Explode Your Sales w/ Video Sales Letters *$27 Each* - 100% Positive Reviews [WSO] Keyword Research Like A Boss! - Review Copies Available

12-26-2010, 12:20 PM	#2
orvn Advanced Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 756 Thanks: 86 Thanked 178 Times in 102 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Google Analytics; Can Google 'Steal' Your Data? I've often wondered whether use of analytics (something ubiquitous amongst marketers, designers and programmers) can directly impact one's SEO. For instance, a spam site or poorly written article would have a monstrous bounce rate, I am curious as to whether an analytics account can affect such a site in SERPs. Additionally, doesn't Analytics give Google mass amount of hidden (internal) data about the REAL popularity of links? If you were Google, wouldn't you take advantage of this?
	✄- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Orun Kabir Programming, security, design, writing, semantic web. SEO Jedi. [@orvn] [linkedin] [klout]

12-26-2010, 12:29 PM	#3
markowe The Wordbay Guy War Room Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 1,531 Thanks: 185 Thanked 315 Times in 191 Posts Social Networking	Re: Google Analytics; Can Google 'Steal' Your Data? Yes, I don't put GA everywhere, no evidence, just a suspicious mind. G doesn't need to 'steal' that data, they've GOT it already!
	eBay is full of HOT PRODUCT NICHES with low competition, just going begging! * Isn't it time you were making $$$ with eBay niche sites (like in the good old days)?! * Well now you can, and you don't even need to join the eBay Partner Network! CLICK FOR DETAILS!

12-26-2010, 12:48 PM	#5
vibe89 Warrior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 14 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Google Analytics; Can Google 'Steal' Your Data? yeah i my point of you ,, you are giving access to let them crawl all your data . yeah they can take advantage of your if they want to..

12-26-2010, 01:05 PM	#6
Rough Outline Keyword Extraordinaire War Room Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: England, UK Posts: 836 Thanks: 90 Thanked 90 Times in 76 Posts Contact Info	Re: Google Analytics; Can Google 'Steal' Your Data? I know they can access data any way they want, I'm just worried they might use it for malicious purposes and Google Analytics packages it up nicely for them to look at my sites.
	Selling Exact Match Domain Websites With PR and Traffic - PM Me For List Explode Your Sales w/ Video Sales Letters *$27 Each* - 100% Positive Reviews [WSO] Keyword Research Like A Boss! - Review Copies Available

12-26-2010, 01:29 PM	#9
El Zorro Warrior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 23 Thanks: 3 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Google Analytics; Can Google 'Steal' Your Data? So can Google lower your search position based on what Analytics tells them? Do they actually do it or is it just one more IM myth?

12-26-2010, 02:12 PM	#11
pjman HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 147 Thanks: 12 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Google Analytics; Can Google 'Steal' Your Data? This is why I never use Google Analytics. They are a public company what happens when they need to turn a profit, they will use everything available to them to make their product better. Just wait until 30% of the Internet is using GA, they know everything about 30% of the Internet. I think the cons heavily outweigh the pros. I only use google web site optimizer for running landing page experiments.