Re: Google's new Opt-In Data Sharing initiative
One of the companies I work with will absolutely not use Google analytics - they don't want to give Google the Data. The theory is that once you give Google your data, all you have to do is set up your conversion values, and you are giving Google your profit margins etc. They can then milk your profit margins.
I think that Google will be putting together an index of conversion rates, where you will be able to see how your site compares against your industry standard. In addition, Google will probably use that in their Adwords Algorithm, assuming a better conversion rate means a better quality site. They would add that to their quality score.
Me personally? I pretty much trust Google right now. Their bread and butter is not just their searchers, it's also their advertisers. They have many chances to screw people, advance in different industries etc. , and yet they haven't. There is a certain method to their "madness", and it doesn't include intentionally messing you up.
It does mean however, that their algorithm will hurt certain people (SERP's, paid search etc.) who don't deserve it, and Google's customer service sucks.
I'd be willing to give up my stats to Google in exchange for being able to measure how my site performs in contrast to other sites in my industry. (The only problem is tracking phone numbers... except that they now own grandcentral.com!)
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