Stop Using Google Analytics if you value user privacy, site speed, and regulatory compliance. While Google Analytics is a widely used tool for tracking website traffic, it comes with significant privacy concerns and other issues that may outweigh its benefits. At Seez, we’re developing a leaner, more transparent alternative that respects user privacy. Here’s why you should consider moving away from Google Analytics.
Stop Using Google Analytics
Privacy Concerns
Google is the largest ad-tech company globally, with extensive access to user data across its many products. This data collection creates comprehensive behavioral profiles, raising significant privacy concerns. By choosing to stop using Google Analytics, you reduce contributing to this vast data collection across multiple devices and services.
Site Performance
Google Analytics scripts add significant weight to your pages, affecting site speed. The Global Site Tag and Universal Analytics script together add around 45.7 KB per page load. This extra weight can slow down your site, negatively impacting user experience and search engine rankings.
Complexity and Overkill
For many site owners, Google Analytics offers more data than necessary. With over 125 report items and 290 metrics, it can be overwhelming. If you stop using Google Analytics, you can simplify your metrics to just the essentials, saving time and energy.
Regulatory Compliance
Using Google Analytics can be a liability under privacy regulations like GDPR, CCPA, and PECR. These laws require explicit user consent and disclosure of data collection practices. By opting to stop using Google Analytics, you reduce your compliance burden and potential legal risks.
Inaccurate Data
Many visitors block Google Analytics using ad blockers and privacy-focused browsers. As a result, you may not be getting accurate data about your audience. When you stop using Google Analytics, you can switch to methods that provide more reliable insights (or simply lighter data sets).
Extensive Privacy Policy
To use Google Analytics, you need an extensive privacy policy explaining your use of cookies and data collection. Dropping Google Analytics means a more straightforward approach to privacy, with less policy complexity for both you and your users.
Referral Spam
Google Analytics is prone to referral spam, skewing your site data. Eliminating it from your site can drastically reduce spam traffic and the extra work of filtering it out.
Trust Issues
As a proprietary product, Google Analytics requires you to trust Google with sensitive information. If you stop using Google Analytics, you regain control over how data is collected and stored.
Better User Experience
Cookie consent banners and GDPR prompts disrupt user experience. By switching to a privacy-friendly solution, you can avoid these intrusive prompts while remaining compliant with privacy regulations.
Alternatives to Stop Using Google Analytics
- No Analytics or Server Logs
If detailed metrics aren’t crucial, relying on minimal data from server logs can be enough. - Ethical Alternatives
Tools like Matomo offer an open-source, self-hosted option, giving you control over your data. - Search Console
Google Search Console offers accurate information on search visibility without additional tracking scripts. - Privacy-Friendly Solutions
At Seez, we’re creating a lightweight tool that provides essential insights without compromising privacy.
Key Features of Seez Analytics
- Open Source: Hosted on GitHub for full transparency.
- Lightweight: Under 1 KB of script, speeding up page load times.
- Cookie-Free: No need for consent banners.
- Privacy-Respecting: Compliant with GDPR and CCPA.
- EU-Hosted: Data remains in the EU, never leaving its borders.
Try Seez Analytics today. Our solution focuses on simplicity, speed, and privacy. Sign up for our free plan and experience the difference. If you find this helpful, please share it with others to help create a more open, independent web.
