Do You Trust Google? If Not, Why Use Analytics?

[sbucciarel]

This is something I've thought about for some time and I never use Google Analytics on my sites. I just got this great email from Gene Pimentel. His list is always really informative.

Google watches every move you make, and use this
information against you.

Adsense accounts get banned, with no apparent
logic or reason.

Adwords accounts get banned, with no apparent
logic or reason.

YouTube accounts get banned, with no apparent
logic or reason (Youtube is owned by Google).

Websites get slapped left and right.

AMAZINGLY, people GIVE Google the exact information
they need to do this damage, by installing Google's
"Analytics" program.

He recommended a site I had not heard of before that will give you the same type of info that Google Analytics does, without the risk.

Piwik - Web analytics - Open source <<< No affiliation

It's free and open source. If you don't understand it, you can pm Gene for the info product that explains it all, but it looks to me to be a great alternative to using Google Analytics.

[weblink29]

I do not use Google Analytics for that reason. I won't even use Google Docs anymore after reading their privacy policy. Basically they have the right to everything - everywhere - and you are just a bug to be squashed.

[Conrad Stuart]

Great post, I haven't been using Analytics on any of my new sites for the last 6 months or so.

They track EVERYTHING and the second your account gets a manual human review that turns up something as small as a high bounce rate, it's game over.

[Daniel_Johnson]

Really great post.

I have been using analytics on all of my pages till now! I have never thought about the risks, that google tracks every step I do. I think that I try the alternative you suggest.

Cheers
Daniel

[FreeMeal]

I always use Statcounter, have done for years.

Doesn't stop me getting slapped though.

Now you mention this, I did get a recent Google slap which coincided with me registering one of my websites with their Webmaster tools thing. I put it down to getting backlinks too quickly, but maybe there is more to it than that.

Maybe someone should create a list of "Google alternatives", so we can gradually phase out dependance on them.

[sbucciarel]

Originally Posted by FreeMeal

I always use Statcounter, have done for years.

Doesn't stop me getting slapped though.

Now you mention this, I did get a recent Google slap which coincided with me registering one of my websites with their Webmaster tools thing. I put it down to getting backlinks too quickly, but maybe there is more to it than that.

Maybe someone should create a list of "Google alternatives", so we can gradually phase out dependance on them.

I've used statcounter for years, but I also flip sites a lot and so many of the buyers request Google analytics. That's why I think this is probably a good alternative to Analytics. Definitely worth a good look.

[ebrg]

What about Webmaster Tools? Is there a good alternative for that.

[rahmanpaidar]

By using google analytics you risk at revealing all your bussiness information to google.

If someone ask you to give him your amount of income, how many your visitors are, what location they are, what they are interested in, how they get to your site, and etc.. you probably say him no. But when it comes to google, we happily give him the information which we never reveal them even to our best friends.

You share your bussiness info with a company who ask you money for advertisement.
you share info with a company who also work with your competitors too.
That's no wise IMHO

[Johnny Optimo]

yeah, I'm happy with Awstats anyway for quick analysis

I never liked the google analytics interface, and you're right, it's simply giving evidence to google... it's like talking to the police when you should keep your mouth shut

[yukon]

One thing that ONLY Google Analytics can do & none of the other options posted above could ever do, is track Adsense $$ per individual page.

With G Analytics I can create a single Adsense Ad, & track the Adsense earnings over thousands of web pages, down to the last penny. Then sort those thousands of pages by highest earner.

No point in trying to hide an Adsense sites stats, since the Adsense code can already track every single thing that happens on your site.

I'm not supporting G for tracking the web, just saying it's a nice feature that no other software can ever accomplish.

[cagliostro]

Well if you check major websites and portals they all use Google Analytics. Also by using Analytics you show that you have nothing to hide or be afraid of.

Google already knows a lot of information if you use Adsense.

[bayumaulana2003]

i usually use quantcast.com because it gives me great information..
try it guys