Nov 13 2007
Google – Please fix Analytics Reports for Australians
Dear Google
I have long been an avid consumer, and supporter, of Google Analytics. Back in July you forced us to switch to the new user interface. I was a bit reluctant at first – you know you get used to a familiar format. But I really like it now – it’s funky and versatile. And I really appreciate the fact that it’s free.
But, unless I’m missing something really obvious, there’s one big problem with your new interface. As I write this in Sydney, Australia, it is 6.30 pm on Monday the 12th of November. In Mountain View, California, it is 11.30 pm on Sunday the 11th of November.
The problem is that Analytics reporting will not let me see today’s data until you flip over a new day there in California.
First we could access it at 5.00 pm, then we got daylight savings – so it became 6.00 pm. Then you ended daylight savings and it became 7.00 pm before we could access today’s figures.
But it’s already been “today” in Australia for 18 and a half hours.
I know you have that data, and it used to be just fine – before the new interface. I really wouldn’t imagine that it would be very hard for you to fix.
And in case anybody asks – I have set my time zone in the settings – see:
I’m sure there would be a lot of businesses in Australia, New Zealand and Asia who would really appreciate this functionality.
Yours sincerely
21 Responses to “Google – Please fix Analytics Reports for Australians”
Hear Hear!
(what? it’s late)
I second that!
Can I add my name to that petition?
I’ve noticed this lately as well, although it took me quite a while! :p I agree though surely it can’t be hard for them to fix.
When I moved hosts etc I put Google Analytics on, and I noticed it took ages to catch up on a particular day’s stats. I’m glad you’ve put it into words. Maybe Google will sit up and take note?
Amen. GA is a great service but the time zone mixup really detracts from the interpretation of a sites figures.
Thanks Meg.
Dan
Please Mr Google Sir, can I have some more.
More knowledge of what my stats are on the day that I am looking at them. Being Australian should not penalise my stat collation. How unscientific is that!
Meg this really is turning into a petition. This is an issue that has irked me for some time and I am glad you have raised it.
I’ve been waiting patiently – thinking that the problem would be fixed soon, but it’s just been dragging on for four months now. And daylight savings has further compounded the problem.
Thanks everyone for your support on this issue. Maybe collectively we can make enough noise….
I am so tempted to drop this link at Matt’s blog 😉 I love your letters Meg… they are definitely attention grabbing….. I knew you guys are always ahead of us [no pun intended 😉 ] but didn’t look at how many hours! 18+ hours is too many… I hope they fix it soon
Pearl
Hehe – I deliberately resisted the urge to make reference to Australia “being ahead”! Thanks for your thoughts 😀
Pearl – thanks for the idea! Matt had a recent post about international Google bugs, so I commented there.
Meg, actually the GA interface has always run with up to a 24 hour delay in data – regardless of time zone and location. The real bug for Australia is the default date range ends the day before yesterday. For example, the 11th of November, when it is the 13th here in Asia Pacific, however you can always access the most current data available by manually selecting the appropriate date range.
The issue with all web analytics is putting the data you’re looking at in context to what’s happening on the site. For example, bounce rates and time on site (2 very important statistics with a static website) are virtually irrelevant for a blog. Thats because people come to the blog, read the post and then leave. They came, they say, they got what they wanted and then they left.
I’m far more interested in looking at the trend in the data – and not just specific days. I think the most important thing is not to look at “what” happened on the site, but “why” it happened. The intent of the visitor is key.
Hi Simon
In my experience, before the upgrade, we could always see the current day’s data (our current day), which would be at most a couple of hours behind. This could be done by manually selecting the date.
At present, unless I’m missing something, the current day is greyed out and not able to be selected, nor can it be manually typed in.
But all of this isn’t to do with my blog! The WordPress statistics are more than enough to provide me with current data.
It’s to do with dLook. When you are running different types of email, radio, television and internet advertising, it’s really handy to be able to get that data a little bit more “real time” than some hours after the fact.
And let’s say we were to start getting a lot of hits from one site (say a blog post, or a forum). It’s really vital for reputation management and social networking, to be able to drop by in a timely fashion and say “hey Mr Arrington – thanks for linking out to us” 😉 , or (for example) “sorry you’re not happy Mr Client, how can we rectify this?”. Well, I’m sure you know what I mean….
So my gripe is not about this (unmonetised) blog, but about our online businesses, where this kind of timely feedback is important.
Meg, I understand. If this is the case, then you may ultimately have to move to a “commercial grade” web analytics package. Especially if your intent is revenue generation. Omniture for example quote 4 minute delays (which is virtually real time) in terms of data provision to the Omniture interface. Contrary to popular belief, Omniture is not that expensive – and if its accurate data you want, then you have to consider it eventually. Remember, one package is free and one is not. And ultimately, you always get what you pay for right? It’s not to say that GA isn’t brilliant (which it is) but when you get to your level and beyond, you have to look at other options.
Simon – you’re probably right. You just get spoiled by “free”…. Thanks for the suggestion, shall look into it.
Folks,
This 24 hours delay is not intended by GA. The GA team is looking into this matter and if it is real, we will fix it. Believe us, we have a proud Australian in the eng team who would not let Australians down.
– PM
Hi PM
Just to confirm – it’s around 19 hours of delay. I’m sure your Aussie team member wouldn’t dream of letting us down!
Many thanks for looking into this issue, I’m sure there will be a lot of happier webmasters if you can make this change
I’ve also noticed this, and when I change from the default to ask for todays data it normally appears fine.
It would be awesome to get the bug fixed though
GA is awesome.
Same problem here in Europe. Not that hard as you have it in Australia, but we cannot access today´s data before 9:00 am – and even then there is NO data, because the day has just started (in Mountain View) and there will be little traffic during the night, so relevant data cannot be viewed before the afternoon.
I am confident, Google will fix that in the future as I love Analytics. Not only because it´s free.
Hi, I’ve actually run into this blog a few times but I’ve never commented.
I haven’t used google analytics yet as I haven’t fully setup any of my website projects, but I have installed a few counters for clients at the print shop I design websites for.
The counter I use can be found at statcounter.com, it provides a wealth of information and you could use is with google.
Hope this info was of any use.
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