Google Analytics Nov 15. 055
Google Analytics, this could be the serious free competition which products like Mint and Delineate really didn’t need.
Google Analytics tells you everything you want to know about how your visitors found you and how they interact with your site.
Basically it’s like a hosted version of Urchin (Which is nice if you ever used it), you simply create a Analytics account, pop a snippet of JavaScript into your page headers and off you go.
Google Analytics delivers everything you’d expect from a high end stats solution, and it integrates with AdWords. I’m going to give it a bit of a trial run right here on nathanpitman.com to see how it shapes up.
Update: A nice write up on Google Analytics by Eric Peterson.
The big downside is that you have to be prepared to give Google all that data.
I’m not particularly fussed about the specific data itself, but the volumes of data Google is amassing is concerning.
Google control your browser, read your email, watch which sites you visit, know what you’ve published and what other people have said about you. They know what products you’re looking to purchase. They know the routes you plan and the places you visit and more or less when you visit them. Soon they’ll have their wifi systems which will know exactly where you are when you’re within range.
I’m not saying they’re doing evil things, but you do have to question whether you’re happy with one organisation holding all that data about you.
Drew has laid out my concerns precisely. I don’t think Google are evil, but all that information about me in once place worries me no end. Mint will still have its place, as its not intended as an Urchin replacement.
You’re right, Mint is in a slightly different place and has more of a niche market. Google Analytics is more mass market and will probably be loved by webmasters the world over.
I’m really not sure how to take Google these days, on one hand they’re a forward looking exciting market player, perhaps the only real challenger to Microsoft (Which is good), on the other, they’re releasing software and services which suggest that they think they have the right to do whatever they wish with content that they index (Google Toolbar anyone?). Hmm.
Look at the urchin.js file. A novice programming style of coding:
http://blog.mustap.com/2005_11_20_google-novice-programmers
Well, it’s got off to a bit off a bad start – very slow, signup problems, and I’ve had the tagging on for over 24 hours and the stats aren’t showing yet.
I also don’t think the likes of Mint need to be worried at the moment, as that was developed with a view to showing the most up-to-date and relevant information – Google Analytics is probably more comprehensive but I suspect there may be too much information for some people.
That said, it is like having a new (expensive!) toy, and I’m still looking forward to having a play around with it, I just hope they can sort out the speed issues. I’m sure the information will be very interesting, and to have been charging $199 per month previously it must be pretty impressive.