Unable to Identify Sessions by Google Analytics

Google Analytics (GA) has been a crucial tool for businesses and website owners to track their website’s performance and user behavior. One of the key features of GA is its ability to identify and track sessions from the same user. However, with increasing concerns about user privacy and data protection, there is a possibility that GA may become unable to identify sessions from the same user by default. In this article, we will explore the potential future of GA and when sessions may become unidentifiable by default, and why it is important for businesses and website owners to understand these changes.

The MECE Framework Explained

MECE stands for “mutually exclusive, collectively exhaustive,” which is a framework used to ensure that all possible options are considered and that there is no overlap between them. In this article, we will be using the MECE framework to explore the potential future changes to GA.

The State of Google Analytics Today

Currently, GA tracks sessions using cookies, which are small pieces of data stored on the user’s device. When a user visits a website, GA creates a unique identifier for the session using the cookie. This allows GA to track the user’s behavior on the website, such as the pages they visit, how long they stay on the website, and what actions they take.

Accurately tracking sessions is crucial for businesses and website owners to understand their users’ behavior and improve their website’s performance. According to BuiltWith, as of September 2021, over 30 million websites use GA, highlighting its importance for businesses and website owners.

Potential Future Changes to GA

With increasing concerns about user privacy, there is a possibility that GA may adopt a new method of tracking sessions that makes it unable to identify sessions from the same user by default. This could involve using methods such as browser fingerprinting or IP address tracking, which do not rely on cookies.

The reasoning behind these potential changes is to provide users with more control over their data and protect their privacy. However, this could have significant implications for businesses and website owners who rely on GA to track their website’s performance.

Possible Alternatives to GA

There are several alternative tracking methods available that businesses and website owners can use instead of GA. One such method is server log analysis, which involves analyzing the server logs to gain insights into user behavior. This method does not rely on cookies and can provide a more accurate view of website traffic. However, it requires technical expertise and can be time-consuming to set up.

Another alternative is using third-party tracking tools such as Matomo or Fathom. These tools provide similar features to GA but allow for more control over data and privacy. They also do not rely on cookies and can provide accurate tracking without compromising user privacy. However, these tools may require a subscription fee and may not be as widely supported as GA.

The Pros and Cons of each alternative depend on factors such as cost, technical expertise required, and accuracy of tracking. Server log analysis provides accurate tracking but requires technical expertise, while third-party tools such as Matomo provide control over data but may require a subscription fee.

The Limitations of each alternative depend on the specific tool or method used. Server log analysis can be time-consuming to set up, while third-party tools may not be as widely supported as GA. Additionally, any alternative tracking method will have its limitations in terms of accuracy and ease of use compared to GA.

Estimated Timeline for Changes

It is difficult to provide an exact timeline for these potential changes to GA. However, with increasing concerns about user privacy and data protection, it is likely that changes will be made in the near future. Google has already made changes to its ad tracking policies to address these concerns, and it is possible that similar changes will be made to GA.

In the short-term, it is likely that businesses and website owners will continue to rely on GA for their website performance tracking. However, in the long-term, it is important to be aware of potential changes and have alternative tracking methods in place to ensure accurate tracking.

Conclusion

while GA is currently the most widely used tracking tool, there are alternative tracking methods available that businesses and website owners can use instead. It is important to weigh the pros and cons of each method and have alternative tracking methods in place to ensure accurate tracking in the future.

It is also important to stay informed about potential changes to GA and the timeline for these changes. Businesses and website owners should be prepared to adapt and have alternative tracking methods in place to ensure the best possible user experience and data protection.