Google Analytics keywords 'not provided'

[John_Orcus]

We used to have a very small number of 'not provided' keywords in our Google Analytics reports. This has slowly crept up over the last few months, and now we can only see around 10% of the keyword searches.

Can anyone please tell me what is causing this, and also if there is any way to see the keywords Google can't provide?

 

[zigojacko]

In a word, no.

Google now redirects all users of their search engine to https pages which encrypts data being passed to Google Analytics, and within this data, the keyword that the searcher used to find your site. When they rolled this out, this is when you'd see the rise from 10% to probably close to 100%.

There are alternatives and workarounds but none that brings that data back conclusively.

You could utilise what information Google Webmaster Tools provides you as well if you link this with your Google Analytics account.

 

[sebsuma]

no I don't no of any way. Also Google analytics's doesn't even show all of your views. I have often found I have paid for more views on ad words than analytics says I have visits! Can't say I really like the service

 

[zigojacko]

Also Google analytics's doesn't even show all of your views. I have often found I have paid for more views on ad words than analytics says I have visits!

This is likely down to you not understanding how to differentiate between clicks, visits and how analytics tracks.

You may find this useful. Particularly the 'Discrepancies in Clicks and Visits' section.

 

[wayzgoose]

According to Statcounter, Google deliberately strips out keyword search
information for logged in users. And yes, we've found that only about 10-20% of searches now show the search keyword.

 

[zigojacko]

According to Statcounter, Google deliberately strips out keyword search
information for logged in users. And yes, we've found that only about 10-20% of searches now show the search keyword.

Out of date information. See my post.

Google blocks this data for all users. Whether logged in or not.

Everyone can expect to see 100% not provided more or less very soon.

 

[antropy]

I think the latest Google update has removed the ability to track keywords in an effort to prevent link-building.

They'd rather you pay for AdWords than pay an SEO company for backlinks. Whether this is good or bad depends who you are but it is a significant change.

 

[fixedit]

That seems to be the cynic's view of it.

I think it's more a privacy issue personally. Google loves collecting your data and using it for itself, but it's less keen on sharing it with 3rd parties (unless they happen to be supra-governmental agencies).

Google's war on spam links will never be won (oh and "link-building" is spam), but they've had the upper hand since long before this change.

What some business owners like to forget is that Google exists to provide a service to the customer (relevant search results), not to you (showing your website where you want it to appear).

 

[antropy]

"link-building" is spam

Yes, it can be. I often get annoying spam links in my blog comments. Things like "Thanks for this very informative article." And then the person's name is a load of keywords that link to a certain website.

 

[fixedit]

Yes, it can be. I often get annoying spam links in my blog comments. Things like "Thanks for this very informative article." And then the person's name is a load of keywords that link to a certain website.

Akismet will catch 99.9999% of those, or switch your comments to Disqus.

 

[antropy]

or switch your comments to Disqus.

My comments are already Disqus: www.antropy.co.uk/blog

 

[fixedit]

I think I was looking at somebody elses website.

Incidentally the spam comment becomes quite amusing when the site owner starts a conversation with them.

"Thanks for you feedback, what did you really like about my article, Mr. Buycheapnikesneakersonlinenow?"

 

[antropy]

Hahaha that's a good idea

 

[Michael Nguyen]

I think it's more a privacy issue personally. Google loves collecting your data and using it for itself, but it's less keen on sharing it with 3rd parties (unless they happen to be supra-governmental agencies).

Thats what Google would have you think if we're talking about SEO but if you use Google Adwords, then you get to see all that data.

Any organic keyword data you see know is probably mainly from Bing, Yahoo.

 

[That Bates Girl]

Thats what Google would have you think if we're talking about SEO but if you use Google Adwords, then you get to see all that data.

You only get to see the data for your paid traffic though, don't you? You still have no idea what keywords are bringing you your organic traffic.

Complaining that Google is trying to *force* people into buying adwords, is rather like complaining that a cafe won't let you sit in the corner all day (using the toilet, connecting to the net via the wifi, keeping warm, meeting clients, etc) unless you buy a cup of tea occasionally.

Lyds

 

[Michael Nguyen]

You only get to see the data for your paid traffic though, don't you? You still have no idea what keywords are bringing you your organic traffic.

Yes only paid keywords. That's true, but you can have an educated guess what keywords are bringing you the organic traffic.

Monitor the keywords ranking position, monitor that page, monitor that page as a landing page via organic and then you can make some sort of assumption. Not science anymore but close enough.

Complaining that Google is trying to *force* people into buying adwords, is rather like complaining that a cafe won't let you sit in the corner all day (using the toilet, connecting to the net via the wifi, keeping warm, meeting clients, etc) unless you buy a cup of tea occasionally.

Lyds

Who's complaining? I'm just stating a fact. So tell me, why would Google strip out all keyword data via organic route and not PPC? Google is an advertising platform and makes money via PPC, SEO makes them no money.

 

[That Bates Girl]

Yes only paid keywords. That's true, but you can have an educated guess what keywords are bringing you the organic traffic.

Monitor the keywords ranking position, monitor that page, monitor that page as a landing page via organic and then you can make some sort of assumption. Not science anymore but close enough.

I'm going to need a diagram to make sense of that

Who's complaining? I'm just stating a fact. So tell me, why would Google strip out all keyword data via organic route and not PPC? Google is an advertising platform and makes money via PPC, SEO makes them no money.

Sorry, wasn't talking about you specifically - just the usual wailing of people going "waaaaah, it's not fair, Google won't help me game the system in ways that they don't like any more"

Lyds

 

[Michael Nguyen]

I'm going to need a diagram to make sense of that

Real easy.

For best measurement, pick page that is on page 2+ of Google

1. Pick a keyword you want to target.
2. Make sure you're monitoring that exact page
3. Get it onto page 1 of Google.
4. See landing page area in GA for that selected page with visits via organic,
5. Has visits increased compared to visits in the past.
6. Come to conclusion that the page generated visits because it was on 1st of Google.

Sorry, wasn't talking about you specifically - just the usual wailing of people going "waaaaah, it's not fair, Google won't help me game the system in ways that they don't like any more"
Lyds

I did at one point but it's nothing personal, just business at the end of the day.