Thread

Hi

I read that Google Analytics is something every serious web developer should use on his website because it has so many advanced and useful features and it’s free etc.

I would like to try it on at least one of my websites but something puts me off: the terms of service - in German, that is - say that you have to clearly show a message in a prominent place of your website that the site uses Google Analytics. Then they give you the text that you have to put on your website. It’s about half a page talking about how everything the user of this website is going to do now will be tracked and sent to Google. I’m sure this will discourage and scare off a lot of users and it makes me not wanting to use GA.

Curiously, I didn’t find the passage in the English TOS, only in the German. Maybe it’s European law. Moreover, I wonder how so many people can use GA and I have never seen this text on any website I visit.

Thoughts and advice, anyone?
Thanks
maesk

PS: The German TOS can be found here: http://www.google.com/analytics/de-DE/tos.html

You probably just need a Privacy Policy page telling users that certain information is being captured and stored about their browsing session. That’s pretty standard.

I wouldn’t mind that, but Google’s TOS say that you have to really draw the user’s attention to a statement that “reads in all essential parts like this”: “bla bla” half a page of bla bla. You also give Google permission to check whether the content and position of this statement is to their liking and consent to change content or position of it if Google thinks it’s necessary.

Wow, interesting stuff. Its definitely not a big deal in the UK, I have GA in all my sites and I’m sure I’d have been pulled up long ago if it was the law here too.

Hmm, I’m going to have a look now 😊

EDIT: I read it as the privacy policy page has to be prominent, not the notice itself, in which case its all standard stuff, but then I had to do a google translate on the page 😉

Thanks pickledegg2… this made me search the UK version of the TOS:
http://www.google.com/analytics/en-GB/tos.html

and guess what, they read the same as in German. I’m talking of the following passage (and like this we don’t have to use a translator 😊 fortunately):

You will also use reasonable endeavours to bring to the attention of website users a statement which in all material respects is as follows:

“This website uses Google Analytics, a web analytics service provided by Google, Inc. (“Google”).  Google Analytics uses “cookies”, which are text files placed on your computer, to help the website analyze how users use the site. The information generated by the cookie about your use of the website (including your IP address) will be transmitted to and stored by Google on servers in the United States . Google will use this information for the purpose of evaluating your use of the website, compiling reports on website activity for website operators and providing other services relating to website activity and internet usage.  Google may also transfer this information to third parties where required to do so by law, or where such third parties process the information on Google’s behalf. Google will not associate your IP address with any other data held by Google.  You may refuse the use of cookies by selecting the appropriate settings on your browser, however please note that if you do this you may not be able to use the full functionality of this website.  By using this website, you consent to the processing of data about you by Google in the manner and for the purposes set out above.”

8.2 You agree that Google may review your website at any time to verify that you have included an appropriate statement as specified above. You further agree to make such changes to the content or positioning of the statement as Google (acting reasonably) considers necessary in order to ensure compliance with this Section 8.

But maybe I’m the only one who reads the TOS anyways 😊

so that means that everyone i know who uses analytics is breaking the google TOS then? LOL

Maybe google just put that in to see if people actually read these things. I wonder how strongly they enforce this rule? Hmm….

Hands up if you’re breaking these rules everyone!

That’s what I wonder:

- Do you put a notice like the one quoted above on your website?
- How strongly do they enforce this?

it’s just a formality, both for the website owner to bother putting it in the privacy policy (if there is one) and for google to put it in there ToS (they have to cover pretty much everything just in case).

they definitely don’t enforce it 😊

ok, so I shouldn’t worry too much about that then. Thanks.

And if the Google Enforcement Administration (GEA) comes, I will say “...but pickledegg and frenzal said…”
hehe 😉

I hate analytics and google being everywhere lately…having to agree with all kind of weird TOS’s and having to send all my info just to increase google’s database of “browsing habits” or who knows what else. Anyways, everything gets back to adwords and a better targeting of their ads which, of course, means more satisfied customers for them.

I feel used every time I have to use google. Sadly, everything I use and enjoy lately is purchased by them…

What started as a great idea and revolutionized the web in a good sense is quickly transforming in another hungry monster looking for new markets.

It’s more a formality than anything - so when Google gets sued by someone complaining about their personal info being stolen (because your IP address is so secretive.. oooohhh) Google can come back and say, “No - sue the site owner, we told them to tell you about it.”

That makes sense. I guess I will start using GA then.

@manilodisan: i partially agree with your view but Google’s tools are just too good to ignore them

While not free, I recommend Urchin (which has now been bought by Google as well).

http://www.google.com/urchin/index.html

It uses your Apache log files.  My company has had a lot of luck with it and it’s a great solution for sites that are secured and/or intranet sites. Since it uses the Apache logs, you can benefit from having the opportunity to use any extra HTTP header variables that are sent back that get recorded in the logs.

That being said, Google Analytics is pretty cool as well and I like the site interface. Pretty intuitive.

Thanks for the tip, sobencha. Urchin looks interesting but is too expensive ($2995) for my purpose. Until now we have used WebLog Expert ($125) that uses the Apache logs but you have to manually start and configure it each time you want updated statistics and I’m looking for an automated system, therefore I’m going to try Google Analytics.

You could try AWstats, but you are probably aware of that package already. Mint, another option, is much like Google Analytics, but without the corporate data sharing and legalese TOS. Cost is low. Free options like Slimstat do some of the same (and were derived from the same source once upon a time).