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Google Analytics will be added
Liam Dawe Oct 16
Just a note that I will be soonish adding in Google Analytics. Currently we don't actually use anything, but that makes it really difficult to know what's working well and what isn't, and where people are coming from and lots of things that would really help for our future.

Now yes, I could go with other solutions, but they all take extra admin and support time, whereas Google Analytics is hosted for you (and importantly: free) and is an industry standard. Plus, when shopping around for better ad networks to replace adsense (coze it kinda sucks) - other ad networks like to see proper traffic details.

So yeah, sometime soon it will be coming, just a heads up on it.

Last edited by Liam Dawe on 16 October 2024 at 12:00 pm UTC
heidi.wenger Oct 16
Those who don't like what Google Analytics does can use Privacy Badger from EFF (Elecronic Frontier Foundation).
Liam Dawe Oct 17
Quoting: heidi.wengerThose who don't like what Google Analytics does can use Privacy Badger from EFF (Elecronic Frontier Foundation).
Yup, I imagine people who are really bothered already use such stuff.
BlackBloodRum Oct 18
Liam becoming the big corpo monster over here!

Just kidding!
emphy Oct 19
Quoting: BlackBloodRumLiam becoming the big corpo monster over here!

Just kidding!

I don't blame Liam for going with the option that works best. It's his livelyhood that's on the line here, after all.

But I won't pretend to be happy with it.
Liam Dawe Oct 19
Quoting: emphy
Quoting: BlackBloodRumLiam becoming the big corpo monster over here!

Just kidding!

I don't blame Liam for going with the option that works best. It's his livelyhood that's on the line here, after all.

But I won't pretend to be happy with it.
Hey, I'm not happy about it either! I hate all of it, but sadly especially so with how Humble killed off their partner program and went with the much less generous (and blocked by plugins) Impact, I'm a bit stuck now and need to make up income lost from it somewhere else.

If there was a better way, I would be all ears, but the internet is still just mostly run on adverts, the Patreon simply isn't even close to enough by itself.
BlackBloodRum Oct 19
Quoting: Liam Dawe
Quoting: emphy
Quoting: BlackBloodRumLiam becoming the big corpo monster over here!

Just kidding!

I don't blame Liam for going with the option that works best. It's his livelyhood that's on the line here, after all.

But I won't pretend to be happy with it.
Hey, I'm not happy about it either! I hate all of it, but sadly especially so with how Humble killed off their partner program and went with the much less generous (and blocked by plugins) Impact, I'm a bit stuck now and need to make up income lost from it somewhere else.

If there was a better way, I would be all ears, but the internet is still just mostly run on adverts, the Patreon simply isn't even close to enough by itself.
I personally wasn't going to say anything (not my place). But.. since you've opened the door to other ways, I might suggest:
https://plausible.io/

I use this for my business. There are two ways you can use it:
- Pay monthly and use it like any other service (they host it).
- Self-host it (comes in a docker container) and pay nothing. (I use this method)

It's fully open source, so it feels more 'ethically' right (to me).

But, I do understand the position you're in and it may be much easier and faster to simply use G-Ticks in this case.

Last edited by BlackBloodRum on 19 October 2024 at 3:12 pm UTC
Liam Dawe Oct 20
Oh i’m aware of others but Google Analytics is what’s the standard and mainly accepted by ad networks.
Cyril Oct 20
It's awful. But I'm nobody and Liam will do what he want.
It's like in UE Google Analytics is pretty much illegal due to GDPR.
We just continue, as a whole, to feed Google etc...
Liam Dawe Oct 20
Quoting: CyrilIt's awful. But I'm nobody and Liam will do what he want.
It's like in UE Google Analytics is pretty much illegal due to GDPR.
We just continue, as a whole, to feed Google etc...
Please don’t fear monger and spread FUD. It is not in any way illegal. That would be like saying Google Adsense is illegal.
LoudTechie Oct 20
Quoting: Liam Dawe
Quoting: CyrilIt's awful. But I'm nobody and Liam will do what he want.
It's like in UE Google Analytics is pretty much illegal due to GDPR.
We just continue, as a whole, to feed Google etc...
Please don’t fear monger and spread FUD. It is not in any way illegal. That would be like saying Google Adsense is illegal.

Specifically the use of google analytics has been cause for several gdpr convictions.
The fun thing here is that this thread actually really helps your case.
By actively mentioning the option of content blockers and informing users you might be able to argue that you got user consent.

Edit:
the last one was only an official warning of data regulators, this one is an actual Swedish conviction.

Last edited by LoudTechie on 20 October 2024 at 9:43 pm UTC
Liam Dawe Oct 20
A lot of info is outdated. And naturally I will ensure consent is gained, like I do for all other external cookies and info.
emphy Oct 21
Quoting: LoudTechieBy actively mentioning the option of content blockers and informing users you might be able to argue that you got user consent.

There's no way in the netherworld that mentioning it in an easily missed forum thread is anywhere near the required informed consent. It'll need to be in the form of a traditional "cookie banner" or something similar.

I'm curious, though, whether google analytics automatically respects the "do not track" browser setting. I suspect not, but it'd be a welcome surprise.

Last edited by emphy on 21 October 2024 at 6:25 am UTC
Liam Dawe Oct 22
Again, consent for anything will be done the same as other sites.

This post was just to inform people on future stuff, but now we're just getting silly so locking.

As a reminder: GOL is not a charity, it is a business, and I will do what I must to keep it going and at times it will be things some don't like.
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