how accurate is google analytics?

[jingramm]

I recently had an interview and the interviewer asked for the URL of the side project that I'm working on. I gave it to him and google analytics doesn't show any visitors to the page in the past few days other than myself. It's a very high tech firm and I would've thought the interviewer would've checked it or something. Is google analytics accurate enough to conclude that he didn't even go to the URL that he wrote down during the interview?

 

[Crono]

There are a lot of add-ons that can block Google Analytics. I don't know if they stop visits/hits from being counted, though.

 

[lxskllr]

I block googleanalytics.

 

[Shlong]

Besides having your own metrics, I would say Google Analytics & Quantcast are probably the best in accuracy (there's some ad blockers that will block but that's a small percentage - less than 1%).

Alexa, Compete and some others are completely off. One of my websites increased in traffic twofold but alexa & compete said it dropped in half.

 

[pyonir]

I block googleanalytics.

Same here...actually I don't allow google analytics through NoScript.

 

[Mixolydian]

I block googleanalytics.

...why?

 

[lxskllr]

...why?

I don't want to be analyzed and profiled. I block all trackers I'm aware of.

 

[jingramm]

The person uses a Mac at his desk. Do most people using Mac at work have google analytics blocked?

 

[lxskllr]

The person uses a Mac at his desk. Do most people using Mac at work have google analytics blocked?

What browser? Is he technically oriented? People in tech aren't always into tech. They do what they do, and ignore the rest.

 

[jingramm]

What browser? Is he technically oriented? People in tech aren't always into tech. They do what they do, and ignore the rest.

I'm guessing Safari. He works at a tech oriented company but not the mostly technical type of person. Kind of surprising to know that people would install google analytic blockers or the company would go out of the way to try to avoid being detected as a visitor or something.
The reason why I'm curious is because I'm actually hoping that he didn't visit my page because it's not something I wanted to show at the moment and may create a worse impression.

 

[God Mode]

I block googleanalytics.

same along with other iterations of the sort. I do this for all of my family and friends as well. Just out of spite and lack of permission.

 

[lxskllr]

I'm guessing Safari. He works at a tech oriented company but not the mostly technical type of person. Kind of surprising to know that people would install google analytic blockers or the company would go out of the way to try to avoid being detected as a visitor or something.
The reason why I'm curious is because I'm actually hoping that he didn't visit my page because it's not something I wanted to show at the moment and may create a worse impression.

He probably isn't blocking it then. If he used Firefox, or maybe Chrome, and you considered him a technophile, I'd give a little better than even odds he blocks googleanalytics.

 

[jingramm]

This is my first time learning that google analytic blockers are out there

how common are they in corporations?

 

[Rakehellion]

I recently had an interview and the interviewer asked for the URL of the side project that I'm working on. I gave it to him and google analytics doesn't show any visitors to the page in the past few days other than myself. It's a very high tech firm and I would've thought the interviewer would've checked it or something. Is google analytics accurate enough to conclude that he didn't even go to the URL that he wrote down during the interview?

It's just a side project and I'm assuming you're one of many, many interviewees. There's a pretty solid chance he didn't visit.

You could always just ask him.

 

[jingramm]

Oh, if anyone has some time, do you mind taking a quick look at the website that this thread is in reference to? This will allow me to see if google analytics is actually working and I'm also going to be revamping it so that I can more confidently give out the URL during interviews and not worry that it will get me rejected. I will send it privately so please post or pm me if interested in providing feedback.