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February 4, 2009

Is Google Testing New Technology Which Prevents Third Party Analytics Search Referral Tracking?

Analytics vendor Clicky has published a blog post saying that Google is testing Ajax-powered search results which prevent third-party analytics providers from tracking search referrals.

This sounded a bit fishy to me. It's to Google's advantage for third-party analytics programs to be able to track referrals. This helps sites know that they should keep Google as a major part of their search marketing campaigns.

So, I reached out to Google and this is their official statement:

We're continually testing new interfaces and features to enhance the user experience. We are currently experimenting with a javascript enhanced result page because we believe that it may ultimately provide a faster experience for our users. At this time only a small percentage of users will see this experiment. It is not our intention to disrupt referrer tracking, and we are continuing to iterate on this project. For more information on the experiments that we run on Google search, please see: http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2006/04/this-is-test-this-is-only-test.html

What do YOU think? Let us know in the comments.

Related Reading:
Google's Search Experiments are Sometimes Subtle
Google to Test Video Ads on SERPs
Google Beta Testing New AdWords Interface
Google AdWords Beta Testing Demographic Bidding

Posted by Nathania Johnson on February 4, 2009 12:05 PM

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Comments

Hey thanks for the update SEW. It's good to hear a n official quote from Google on this.

Brent  February 4, 2009 2:53 PM

I have heard it is creating a problem for other analytics programs. Not surprised - Google does not have a commitment to other companies.

Hey it may push more people to signing up for Google Analytics which seems a little unfair.

Aussiewebmaster  February 4, 2009 6:18 PM

I think the impact will be a lot less than a lot of people think. In addition, I think it extends Google's capability and opens up new possibilities for them.

Adron  February 5, 2009 12:36 PM

Google does not have a commitment to other companies. Hey it may push more people to signing up for Google Analytics which seems a little unfair.

club penguin  June 9, 2009 7:49 AM

Google works to make things more accessible for internet users. If they set up analytics, more people will actually come to understand what it is.

Free Kids Games  September 3, 2009 5:18 PM

Google is afterall google and in www today its the ultimate reliable source for any search and many more things.They are here and will stay here in this business.

shoaib  December 12, 2009 2:39 AM

i Don't think so that will happen any time google have to use analytic with third party.

avinash  January 7, 2010 7:04 PM

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