Google Analytics Myth?

[mcweb]

Dear Moz-members,

I have read several discussions regarding not to implement Google analytics on your website. Reason: Google is tracking your website behavior, for example you have a high bounce rate it will affect your rankings negative.

See it as we are opening the doors too much to Google so it can have a negative impact on your online business, especially when your site is new and you are still building your credit. Because of this i have not chosen to install GA.

What is your experience with this? Most of the time if i read analytics posts at Seomoz, people do have GA installed.

I am also in doubt whether to switch over at GA, but then again mine site is relative new and i am still working on the negative bounce rate/daily visitors.

Would like to hear from you pro's whether this is a myth or not

Thanks!

[mcweb]

Thanks guys for clarification.

I am building a serious business over here, nothing to hide

I currently have installed Piwik. But GA is being a standard when it comes to integration with other apps and tutorials, so thats why i want to make the switch.

I will just do it and will let you know any significance changes, if so...

Thanks!

[john4math]

First, I agree with Francisco and Takeshi, I seriously doubt Google uses this data against you in any way.

If you're really worried about privacy, you can keep your analytics data to yourself by using an open source web analytics package.  A few I've come across are Piwik and Open Web Analytics.  Neither of these are as well developed as Google Analytics, but at least they'll give you most of the data you're looking for.

[Francisco_Meza]

Yes I agree. But a little clarification here. Google can tell when a searcher goes from Google SERP > Landing Page > Hits Back Button > Back to Google SERP. They will use that info as their bounce rate, but not GA info.

[TakeshiYoung]

Google can and does track user behavior on your site, regardless of whether you have Analytics installed or not. If you are worried you are being dinged for poor site experience, you need to fix your site, not worry about installing Analytics.

[Francisco_Meza]

What you are hearing is garbage. Don't listen to those people. GA has no effect on rankings. Even Matt Cutts said it. If GA did have an effect on rankings, the SERPS would be biased. Also many large companies use Ominture, Web Trends, Site Catalyst for the analytics.

My advice: Install GA.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgBw9tbAQhU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLmO1GE4GvI