Any Google Analytics users?

txrandom

Diamond Member
Aug 15, 2004
3,773
0
71
I currently have two sites, which have the exact same source. I have two domains: www.aggieprofs.com and www.agprofessors.com. My Analytics report is named www.aggieprofs.com, but I added the tracking code to both domains (since they are the same site).

So what I'm confused on, is if the all the visitors to www.agprofessors.com are actually being tracked. Based on the stats program provided by my host, I think it is, but I want to be sure. So does simply adding the tracking code to both websites, make it track both domains? Couldn't someone add my tracking code to their website, and I would now be tracking that as well?

Do I need to make two different reports? I really don't want to since I need the data to be aggregated.

Thanks.
 

Crusty

Lifer
Sep 30, 2001
12,684
2
81
Even though the code is the same, those aren't the same websites, they have different domains. Instead you should set your DNS to serve both domains from the same IP, or use HTTP redirects to send users from one domain to the other.
 

txrandom

Diamond Member
Aug 15, 2004
3,773
0
71
I realize they aren't the same websites. I'm trying to figure out how to add Google Analytics tracking to both and make them appear under the same report.
 

Crusty

Lifer
Sep 30, 2001
12,684
2
81
If the ONLY difference between the sites is the domain name then just use HTTP redirects to send users from one domain to the other. Then on the site that people are redirected to you can look at the HTTP referrer in the report to see who arrived via the 2nd domain instead of the real one.
 

NiKeFiDO

Diamond Member
May 21, 2004
3,901
1
76
Originally posted by: txrandom
I realize they aren't the same websites. I'm trying to figure out how to add Google Analytics tracking to both and make them appear under the same report.

you can't

why would you want to?

also, what Crusty said
 

txrandom

Diamond Member
Aug 15, 2004
3,773
0
71
Eventually the two sites will have slight differences, so I don't want them to redirect.
 

Crusty

Lifer
Sep 30, 2001
12,684
2
81
Originally posted by: txrandom
Eventually the two sites will have slight differences, so I don't want them to redirect.

Then if both sites have differences you will need to keep the statistics separate otherwise they won't be a valid representation of the traffic to your sites.

You can't have it both ways really.
 

CrazyLazy

Platinum Member
Jun 21, 2008
2,124
1
0
Originally posted by: txrandom
Eventually the two sites will have slight differences, so I don't want them to redirect.

Yeah just do them under separate reports, really the only way.

In regards to your earlier question of what prevents someone from justing using your analytics ID and messing up your stats, you need to confirm that you control the site by uploading a file or changing a meta tag.
 

LumbergTech

Diamond Member
Sep 15, 2005
3,622
1
0
i use noscript to block everything google except for their main site

does that make me a bad person?
 

txrandom

Diamond Member
Aug 15, 2004
3,773
0
71
Originally posted by: LumbergTech
i use noscript to block everything google except for their main site

does that make me a bad person?

I still use my server side stats as well...for mean people like you. ;)
 

LumbergTech

Diamond Member
Sep 15, 2005
3,622
1
0
Originally posted by: txrandom
Originally posted by: LumbergTech
i use noscript to block everything google except for their main site

does that make me a bad person?

I still use my server side stats as well...for mean people like you. ;)

arg, foiled!!

maybe you can explain to me what google analytics does...does it actually give information to google, or only to the people who run the website