Google Analytics Updates

Google, it seems, it always “improving”, upgrading, tinkering with, and changing their products and rarely do they bother to let anyone know. In fact unbeknownst to most advertisers, Google Analytics recently made some changes and upgrades to their product. You could have a full-time person researching the changes and they might still miss stuff. Instead you have the Liquidus Blog to keep you up to date. These changes are especially important if you are using Google Analytics in your Liquidus Bannerlink reporting.

Here are four recent changes to Google Analytics you should know:

1. Site redesign: Google recently rearranged the interface and removed some items while adding new ones. AdWords moved from “traffic sources” to “advertising” and the new content drilldown doesn’t separate by month any longer. They also removed the popular “percentage-change calculations” so get out your calculator.
2. Real-time data reporting: Now you can see what is happening right now. Like, this very instant. Right………NOW! (You missed it.) Real-time reporting shows you the locations, traffic sources (referrals etc.) and content as well as an overview. This can help you run more/less impressions at a certain time of day based on the real time results.
3. Search Engine Optimization: This allows you to view more robust information about search data. According to imedia it “queries users who are trying to reach your site, including potential impressions versus actual clicks and click-through rate (CTR); your top performing landing pages and their CTRs.” But in order to take advantage of this you must first sync your Webmaster Tools profile with your Analytics profile. Which you can do through the GA site.
4. Google+ Integration: Even if you are not one of the half-dozen people that are actually using Google+ GA now tracks to see if anyone “+1’d” your ad or content. But no one is so don’t worry about that.

Google Analytics changes often and Liquidus will attempt to keep you updated on the changes that will affect your campaigns. However, the best thing is to simply play around in GA. Have fun!