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Other Alternatives to Google Analytics

by JoshN
22 replies
So my goal is to get rid of anything google could use to track me and my portfolio of websites.

I'm not using adsense any more and I was wondering if there are any other analytical tools that people would recommend to replace analytics.

I figure if I get rid of everything that allows google to tie my sites together, they may change the algorithm and my sites might suffer but they wont be able to mass de-index my entire business.

In google's eyes I want each site to stand alone.

If they de-index one... no big deal.
#alternatives #analytics #google
  • Profile picture of the author Premier Plugins
    I use and recommend statcounter.com
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  • Profile picture of the author Paul Parkhouse
    I would also recommend Statcounter. Been using it for a few years now on websites and never had any problems.
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  • Profile picture of the author Pud
    I use Piwik for the exact reason that you mentioned - I don't want Google to have the hands on all of my data. Piwik is free and very good, you just install it onto your website and add a tracking code to your websites that you want to track and you're ready to go
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  • Profile picture of the author befree22
    Yes, stat counter or cloudflare which is new but free
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    The turtle always wins.

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  • Profile picture of the author Brendan Carl
    Although this does not have all of the features that Google Analytics has, I use (in addition to Analytics) Site Stats for Wordpress in the Jetpack plugin. I LOVE this plugin. The best part is that you can check visitor stats, updated in real time, on your phone with the Wordpress app. Definitely recommended, whether as a replacement or a supplement for Analytics.
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  • Profile picture of the author WPPilot
    I'm a huge fan of Woopra. They have a Chrome extension and the stats are real-time.
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  • Profile picture of the author Warclaws
    Im a big fan of GetClicky. I am surprised that nobody has mentioned it. It has realtime stats, and a iPhone app. I also like the simplicity of it. I backup Clicky with Google Analytics.

    I actually went thru that list up there someone posted. HiStats and Piwik, Mint, Reinvigorate, I will have to check those out. I see some goodness there!
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  • Profile picture of the author lovboa
    Banned
    +1 for GetClicky
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  • Profile picture of the author S4Ne
    I personally like these 3: statcounter, piwik or getclicky
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  • Profile picture of the author Green Moon
    Like Brandan Carl said, Site Stats in JetPack is a great free plugin if you run a WordPress site.

    I have it installed on every WordPress site I own, even if I already had Google Analytics installed.
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    • Profile picture of the author JoshN
      Originally Posted by Green Moon View Post

      Like Brandan Carl said, Site Stats in JetPack is a great free plugin if you run a WordPress site.

      I have it installed on every WordPress site I own, even if I already had Google Analytics installed.
      I was trying to run jetpack as I've heard good things.

      It wants me to connect my wordpress blogs to wordpress.com and I didn't want to go create wordpress.com blogs for each of my wordpress sites.

      I also didn't want to tie them all to one account either.. Again that whole phobia.

      Thanks though guys.

      I am looking at CPA affiliates, and I know getting approved is a little tougher so I'm looking into it now
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      • Profile picture of the author JCTorpey
        Originally Posted by JoshN View Post

        I was trying to run jetpack as I've heard good things.

        It wants me to connect my wordpress blogs to wordpress.com and I didn't want to go create wordpress.com blogs for each of my wordpress sites.

        I also didn't want to tie them all to one account either.. Again that whole phobia.

        Thanks though guys.

        I am looking at CPA affiliates, and I know getting approved is a little tougher so I'm looking into it now
        Yes, Jetpack requires you have a WP.com account, but you don't have to have a blog - you can sign up for a WP.com account without creating a hosted blog and connecting it. I have self hosted sites and use Jetpack with no problems.
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  • Profile picture of the author Trevor M
    Another one for Stat Counter.

    I still use Google Analytics. I usually check statcounter every day and Google Analytics once a week.

    - Trevor
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    • Profile picture of the author Badrija
      As others have stated above, StatCounter is the one I suggest you use.

      Like Trevor, I check mine everyday, while Analytics once a week or biweekly.

      Something about Statcounter makes it easier to read and more user-friendly.
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  • Profile picture of the author getty
    Analytic tools is the focus of my team behind Thumbtools at the moment, it'll be deployed shortly after successful testing. Meanwhile I suggest you use statcounter as the first replier suggested!
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  • Profile picture of the author damoncloudflare
    I would say take a look at GetClicky. I have also heard good things about Piwik.
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    CloudFlare Community Evangelist

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  • Profile picture of the author Talent
    Statcounter...
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  • Profile picture of the author paj_mccarthy
    Have a read of this post:-

    Discover the Best Google Analytics Alternatives for 2012

    Clicky was the clear winner in the review.

    There are other reasons not to use Google Analytics anyway - their poor accuracy when it comes to showing the bounce rates and time on sites for example.
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    • Profile picture of the author paj_mccarthy
      Originally Posted by drunkenmonkey View Post

      I've never used Google analytics for the same reason as the OP..and it's not paranoia.

      A relative of mine specialises in Law..I had her read the entire TOS that Google recently brought out.

      She returned a summary of the key points and what Google meant by wording them in a certain way etc..etc...

      Lemme tell ya...to all those shouting "Paranoia"....

      IF YOU HAD ANY *****@% IDEA WHAT GOOGLE ARE DOING WITH YOUR DATA......good grief...I mean really.....have someone with legal credentials relay it back to you....

      I use Statcounter.

      That review posted above is really inaccurate at best.

      I've never bothered with worrying about how long a visitor stays on my page..but...sorry but Statcounter DOES have that feature..despite whatever that potato wrote in that "review".

      Statcounter might be ugly...but dunno about that reviewer..I ain;t trying to make a fashion statement here..but ...ugly or not..statcounter is head and shoulders the best (and I've tried several).

      I use it conjunction with Clicktale heatmap technology.

      Statcounter gets my vote..totally awesome...not connected with statcounter in any way, shape or form btw.

      $0.02
      Statcounter has the same flaw as analytics when it comes to calculating Time on Site:

      "f they only load the first page they land on, and do not refresh or load another page with the code, you cannot determine how long they were looking at that page. They may have just hit the back button, or they could have read the page for several minutes. Their is no way to determine the length of time."

      So bounces and time on sites are inaccurately reported.

      And that's what the "potato" you're referring to is talking about.

      Read the criteria for the review:-

      "Does it properly measure time on site, even if only one page is viewed?"

      So, actually, his review is spot on.
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  • Profile picture of the author valuecreator
    I've booted GA out the door and got the PRO plan at getclicky (140$/year).

    It does pretty much everything GA does, but in real time. Interface is less intuitive though. But I got rid of the spying, which is a plus.

    Maybe its just a coincidence but after two months many sites climbed up the SERP for no real reason (might be panda XXX)
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