Google IS using data collected from Analytics

[Gootch]

If you have dug into Analytics beyond just adding the short snippet of code to your Web pages, you may know that you can use the urchinTracker() javascript function to create "virtual pages" that don't actually exist. This is handy when you are tracking multiple "steps" of a process with the same URI.

Google now sends their bots to the virtual pages that dont even exist... proof that they are actually using the data they are collecting....

This article explains in a bit more detail
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Google/?p=39

[brian.mark]

Originally Posted by Gootch

If you have dug into Analytics beyond just adding the short snippet of code to your Web pages, you may know that you can use the urchinTracker() javascript function to create "virtual pages" that don't actually exist. This is handy when you are tracking multiple "steps" of a process with the same URI.

Google now sends their bots to the virtual pages that dont even exist... proof that they are actually using the data they are collecting....

This article explains in a bit more detail
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Google/?p=39

Very interesting indeed. I consider that a reason to use analytics... so they can spider even more of our site and send us more quality traffic.

Brian.

[dburdon]

Contrary to Brian I think its another reason to avoid giving Google too much information.

[brian.mark]

Originally Posted by dburdon

Contrary to Brian I think its another reason to avoid giving Google too much information.

You've got pages that you want to track that you don't want Google knowing about? Interesting... ;-)

Actually, even just having the toolbar (most of us have that) gives them access to lists of URL's to crawl that may or may not be intended for public consumption. I recently saw one of our development pages that hasn't ever had a link to it in the index. I guess I need to start doing everything on my machine and use 127.0.0.1 so they spider themselves instead of me... LOL.

Seriously, if they're spidering pages that they see from Google Analytics on my site, that's a plus for me.

Brian.

[dburdon]

Brian,

its allowing Google full access to all the traffic data that's the problem.

After Enron, MCI Worldcom etc would you trust any large corporation with perfect information about a market where they have effective monopoly power?

I bought TV advertising for 12 years. If a broadcaster/publisher knew the real value of a spot or space the rates would have gone through the roof.

[brian.mark]

I'm not handing over the keys (ROI numbers), and they don't know what my margins are. If I want to use their analytics for everything but checkout (which I am), I consider that a good thing.

Checkout is my private data and I've had my own analytics there for a while. I just find it amazing how many people don't want to trust Google with anything.

They send me many, many visitors, so I want them to spider as much as possible. If they use GA data to do that, great by me.

Brian.

[KeithO]

i agree brian. besides, by putting a step1.html or whatever into the google javascript, you are kind of giving them access to it. seems hypocritical to complain that they are crawling what you want statistics on.

[MtraX]

Hi

I've started a Google Analytics Review. Everyone's welcome to comment. I'll add to it as I find time, very busy this time of the year. There are some cool features that don't work yet though. I'll be commenting on everything right from the top. It will be a nice learning excersize and reference for people wanting to learn how to fully utilise the system...

These are interesting facts Gootch...

I'm running Google Analytics on a testing basis on my Cape Town Blog, I'm reluctant to run it on any client site or one of our own sites until I have completed my testing...