I've gotten a lot of response saying that my Google tracking code was excessive in many ways, and I suspect that perhaps not all features are working. (There's certain metrics that aren't showing data: "Paid Traffic" and "Campaigns" for example)
Is it possible that Google is rendering less than useful tracking codes?
Should I return to the old format of tracking codes, since I know that they work well?
Could it be the placement on my page? Google recommends before </head> yet everyone on here recommends before </body>.
What Google rendered for me: (Current)
<script>
(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){
(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),
m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)
})(window,document,'script','//www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js','ga');
ga('create', 'UA-40498113-1', 'caseykidd.com');
ga('send', 'pageview');
</script>
My old Tracking Code: (Circa One Year Ago)
<script type="text/javascript">
var _gaq = _gaq || [];
_gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-28036048-1']);
_gaq.push(['_trackPageview']);
(function() {
var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true;
ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js';
var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s);
})();
</script>
The "new" tracking code is analytics.js, which "is part of Universal Analytics, which is currently in public beta".
Granted you can probably get the Google Analytics pages to give you the beta code, I would probably stick with the tried and true ga.js on production websites until Google pulls it out of beta.
The new tracking code has async enabled by default, so in most recent browsers it won't stall the page load even if there is a problem loading Google Analytics. That is why they recommend you put the ga.js tracking code before </body> instead of </head>.
Related
I am getting a ton of self-referred traffic on my website. I believe it is due to these two tracking codes.. I am not sure that I need both, but want to be sure if I do or not.
We want sub-domain tracking to work (first script), and obviously the regular GA tracking info as well (2nd script is the out-of-the-box script).
`<script>
(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function() {(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o), m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m) })(window,document,'script','//www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js','ga');
ga('create', 'UA-5402569-1', 'auto',{‘allowLinker’: true });
ga(‘require’, ‘linker’);ga(‘linker:autoLink’, ['goaupair.com’,‘community.goaupair.com’,'knowledge.goaupair.com']);
ga(‘send’, ‘pageview’);
</script>`
`<script type="text/javascript">
var _gaq = _gaq || [];
_gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-5402569-1']);
_gaq.push(['_trackPageview']);(function() {
var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true;
ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js';var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s);
})();
</script>`
You do not need both (in fact you will get most likely double counting of pageviews). The first script is the current version (Universal Analytics). The second script is previous version of the GA tracking script.
You should remove the second version altogether. As far as subdomain tracking is concerned you do not need any special tracking for that - just make sure that your domain is added to the referral exclusion list in the property settings, and that the cookieDomain is set to "auto" when you create the tracker (which it is, so simply lose the the both lines for the linker).
Linking between domains is only necessary if you want to do cross domain tracking between two different domains. The point if cross domain tracking is to transfer the client id that is stored in a cookie, and since your domain and subdomain share their cookies anyway you do not need special configuration.
The only thing that's important is the "auto" setting for the cookie domain, else visitors entering via the subdomain will get a new clientid (and thus be counted as new visitors) when they enter the main domain.
I am using google analytics for the first time
here is the code which I have added
<script>
(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){
(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),
m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)
})(window,document,'script','//www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js','ga');
console.log("executed");
ga('create', 'UA-46680625-1', 'wfihotspotnet.in');
ga('send', 'pageview');
</script>
I also want to add custom variables to google analytics script,
I got the code from one source , which is.
<script type='text/javascript'>
var _gaq = _gaq || [];
_gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-46680625-1']);
// set custom variables
_gaq.push(["_setCustomVar", 1, "Member", "yes", 1]);
_gaq.push(["_setCustomVar", 3, "Topic", "JavaScript", 3]);
// track page view
//_gaq.push(['_trackPageview']);
console.log("executed");
(function() {
var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true;
ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js';
var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s);
})();
</script>
I thought its because I have added these two scripts together, but after removing 2nd script also it shows same result 2 vsits/sometimes 3.
is there any way to add custom variables and google analytics code together in single code.
You are using new analytics.js code with old ga.js code. Are you attempting to migrate to universal analytics? If so, use their migration.
I inserted Google Analytics with the following code snipped.
<script>
(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){
(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),
m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)
})(window,document,'script','//www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js','ga');
ga('create', 'UA-xyz-1', 'xyz.com');
ga('send', 'pageview');
</script>
Now I want to track a specific page in my ajax application. The following link
describes how to push events to google analytics:
https://developers.google.com/analytics/devguides/collection/gajs/eventTrackerGuide
If I try to execute the following command, I just get the error saying "_gaq" is not defined.
_gaq.push(['_trackPageview', 'myPage']);
Am I doing something wrong here or are the docs are outdated?
Edit: So there seems to be a new API. What would be the equivalent to:
_gaq.push(['_trackPageview', 'myPage']);
Would this be the same command in the new API?
ga('send', 'pageview', 'myPage);
You're mixing the new analytics.js with the old async ga.js. Use analytics.js (Universal Analytics) event tracking documentation instead.
This is actually the code that samples the variable is not defined _gaq, reviewing the Analitycs page I see that the code is as follows:
var _gaq = _gaq || [];
_gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-XXXXX-X']);
_gaq.push(['_trackPageview']);
(function() {
var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true;ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js';
var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s);
})();
Check the block of code and make sure that all is well implemented
Jan, I believe the pageview request is already in the snippet you mentioned:
ga('send', 'pageview');
Just make sure you the line above this -- you need to make sure that domain and Analytics account ID is specified:
ga('create', 'UA-123456-1', 'yourdomain.com');
Looking at your code, it seems that you are using new Universal Analytics library, so _gaq.push commands won't work anymore. When you refer to documentation, always double check you looking at Analytics.js section (link).
I recently installed my analytics code, but it has been saying for a while that it's not installed.
I can't think of a better place to put it. Does the script interfere with my other script (for the fade-in)?
Also, should my script be the first thing I include? (maybe after </title>?)
Hits are showing under "real-time" but not as actual visits. The tracking info still says "tracking not installed." I refreshed to make sure.
UPDATE: Google is showing my hits, and I have data... but it says that tracking is not installed. I've had this issue with Wordpress sites, but they were remedied with the use of a plug-in.
Should I try using the old tracking script? I know that one works.
<!doctype html>
<html>
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<title>Casey</title>
<meta name="description" content="" />
<meta name="keywords" content="">
<link href="home.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css">
<script src="http://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/1.9.1/jquery.min.js" ></script>
<script type="text/javascript">
$(document).ready(function() {
if (window.localStorage && !localStorage['faded']) {
localStorage['faded'] = true;
$('body').hide().fadeIn(500);
}
});
</script>
<script>
(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){
(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),
m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)
})(window,document,'script','//www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js','ga');
ga('create', 'UA-40498113-1', 'caseykidd.com');
ga('send', 'pageview');
</script>
</head>
The only thing I see that's "off" is
ga('create', 'UA-40498113-1', 'caseykidd.com');
should be
ga('create', 'UA-40498113-1', {'cookieDomain':'caseykidd.com'});
But I don't think that's really the problem (I think GA is just ignoring how you did it and it happily works out okay, based on your lack of subdomain in the URL). edit: oddly, the generated code within the GA interface looks like what you have, but that's not what the documentation shows. I have verified that this is apparently an undocumented syntax shortcut for setting the cookie domain.
You said you see the data in the "real time" reports so I assume your account number is correct.
My only suggestion is to wait a while for the data to show up. GA's "real time" stuff only shows some basic info. Stuff like "visit" may not be immediately available because of the nature of the dimension/metric. For example, GA (and most other tracking tools) usually don't count it as a visit until the visit is actually over. So if you went to your site to test it and then immediately went to GA to check...well the visit isn't actually over until 30 minutes after the last request to GA.
update (additional info based on your comment below and update to your question)
I don't necessarily think you need to use the old tracking script.. I don't know how it works within Google's system, but Google actually officially states that it can take up to 24 hours for everything to be completely recorded.
Also to be fair, Universal Analytics (analytics.js) is open beta phase at the moment.. it could be that they haven't gotten around to updating that verification logic, or there could be a bug in it, or it could be one of the things that take closer to 24 hours to be updated.
Again, since you are seeing data, I don't think you are doing it wrong, but for sh*ts and grins you can read the entry on verifying your web tracking setup. Are you testing on some other domain than what the web property is setup for? I think GA may not report that implementation has been verified if it has not received a request from the domain specified in the property settings. Also the the manual says it must be on the "homepage" of your site. Are you testing on the homepage or using a custom page name?
As a test I setup analytics.js code in a new web property for a domain that did not previously have any GA tracking on it, when I posted this answer. I see my data but the tracking status remains as "not installed." It has not been 24 hours for me yet, but I personally don't really care, as long as the data is coming in. Even Google's troubleshooting document entry for tracking verification just says to look at the request and verify data in the reports, so that's good enough for me.
But if it really bothers you that much, and you've waited at least 24 hours, I would suggest posting a possible bug report on the google support forums.
update 2: It's been about 18 hours, since I last checked, and the status msg has changed to "receiving data" on my test domain/web property.
When you create a Google Analytics account you're provided with the tracker script, which in my experience has always been the below:
<script type="text/javascript">
var _gaq = _gaq || [];
_gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-XXXXXXXX-1']);
_gaq.push(['_trackPageview']);
(function() {
var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true;
ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js';
var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s);
})();
</script>
That uses the _gaq object, where basically you fill an array of arrays with stuff you want Google Analytics to do later, and when it loads it looks for _gaq, reads the array and executes those commands. It then replaces _gaq with an object that immediately responds to calls to .push() by executing the commands described in the array.
So for example if you added this to the array:
_gaq.push(['_trackEvent', 'Ordering', 'Clicked', 'Order Now top-left']);
Then one of 2 things would happen:
If GA hadn't loaded yet, this array would be added to the _gaq array, waiting for GA to finish loading. When GA did load it would read this and fire the trackEvent command with the parameters you included.
If GA had already loaded, then this call to .push() would cause the trackEvent command to be executed immediately, with the parameters you included.
By the way I usually simplify the example script to:
<script>
var _gaq = [
['_setAccount', 'UA-XXXXXXXX-1'],
['_trackPageview']];
(function() {
var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.async = true;
ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js';
var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s);
})();
</script>
I've read the following question: Security on Google Analytics and other client-side analytics tools?
But I need an even simpler answer.
Per the google analytics site, I've put the following code in the header of my web site:
<script type="text/javascript">
var _gaq = _gaq || [];
_gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'propertyID']);
_gaq.push(['_setDomainName', 'brokersqueeze.com']);
_gaq.push(['_setAllowLinker', true]);
_gaq.push(['_trackPageview']);
(function() {
var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true;
ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js';
var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s);
})();
</script>
While perhaps obvious to most readers here, I realized all this information (like the PropertyID) is available via "inspect element" in the browser.
Have I put the GA snippet properly? Or is there a way to us GA such that the info is hidden from the public? It seems like answers for the question above suggest that while the information is public, it's a risk everyone just lives with. Do I have that right?
Yes, you've done it right. That risk exists with every client side analytics tool. If they send spoofed requests to GA, you can try filtering the results in reports. Even if you obfuscate the ID in the javascript code, they can capture the http request and get that ID.