Using google analytics?
- Thread starter bloomz
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(this is Rich, on Kathy's computer, BTW)
Huh, I just looked, and the two most recently reported sites on their homepage were marketingsherpa.com and spywaresites.org!
Google has come under some scrutiny lately for how it collects and retains personal information. If you have a Gmail or other account, they retain your search patterns, keyed to your user ID. They've purchased and been developing some ad-targeting technology that will take these search patterns and try to tailor ads more to your interests, as opposed to just relevant key words to your search.
Their stated goal is to collect and analyze all the information on the Internet. People forget that includes the trail you leave as you move around the Internet. Google Analytics is one way this information is collected. That'w why it's free for website owners--you're collecting your visitor's information for Google. And A LOT of people don't like to be followed.
Huh, I just looked, and the two most recently reported sites on their homepage were marketingsherpa.com and spywaresites.org!
Google has come under some scrutiny lately for how it collects and retains personal information. If you have a Gmail or other account, they retain your search patterns, keyed to your user ID. They've purchased and been developing some ad-targeting technology that will take these search patterns and try to tailor ads more to your interests, as opposed to just relevant key words to your search.
Their stated goal is to collect and analyze all the information on the Internet. People forget that includes the trail you leave as you move around the Internet. Google Analytics is one way this information is collected. That'w why it's free for website owners--you're collecting your visitor's information for Google. And A LOT of people don't like to be followed.
Eric S
Demoted Webmaster
You know i thoght about it real hard before installing on our site.
But you know what I figured why not give the most popular search engine what it needs. My website dosen't install cookies so whats the harm in letting google give me a good picture of our website and what are customers are looking at.
I can see where this is going and some weiner is going to figure out a way to go after google for privacy crap. Screw things up and again our kids won't be able to say under god in the pledge of allegiance.
Thats why MSN live does and I am sure yahoo has something keeping any eye on you when you are logged in.
But you know what I figured why not give the most popular search engine what it needs. My website dosen't install cookies so whats the harm in letting google give me a good picture of our website and what are customers are looking at.
I can see where this is going and some weiner is going to figure out a way to go after google for privacy crap. Screw things up and again our kids won't be able to say under god in the pledge of allegiance.
Thats why MSN live does and I am sure yahoo has something keeping any eye on you when you are logged in.
This a Google issue. If there is blame to go around they will get it. Boycott sites with GA installed? That won't happen. One out of a 100,000 people might understand the issue and 1% of them might care enough to do something about it. Think about how you shop. Looking for GA will be one of last things you do.
Your site's server does, though.
Same story, different year. Way back in 1999, there was a lot of noise and FUD (fear/uncertainty/doubt) about cookies in general. We felt we had to write explanations about what the cookies were for. So few understood, and such a tiny percentage cared.
On this note, that little widget in boomz's sig is also tracking us (that's why it's free). So are those stupid smilies people can put into their e-mails.
Rich - don't virtually all shopping carts use cookies? Otherwise how does the cart know what is in your basket as you move from page to page?
Maybe some have session identifiers that keep in it a database? But I think those would be the most sophisticated ones that I doubt any of us have.
OOPS - Eric check your PM - how does your site work without cookies?
Maybe some have session identifiers that keep in it a database? But I think those would be the most sophisticated ones that I doubt any of us have.
OOPS - Eric check your PM - how does your site work without cookies?
Yes, almost all do.
Ours does, and it's several years old, but we have that feature turned off since it interferes with search engine indexing. Newer ones (especially ones written in ASP.NET) can go cookie-less without interfering with SE indexing.
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