Google Analytics is a powerful tool that tracks and analyzes website traffic for informed marketing decisions.
Service URL: policies.google.com (opens in a new window)
_gac_
Contains information related to marketing campaigns of the user. These are shared with Google AdWords / Google Ads when the Google Ads and Google Analytics accounts are linked together.
90 days
__utma
ID used to identify users and sessions
2 years after last activity
__utmt
Used to monitor number of Google Analytics server requests
10 minutes
__utmb
Used to distinguish new sessions and visits. This cookie is set when the GA.js javascript library is loaded and there is no existing __utmb cookie. The cookie is updated every time data is sent to the Google Analytics server.
30 minutes after last activity
__utmc
Used only with old Urchin versions of Google Analytics and not with GA.js. Was used to distinguish between new sessions and visits at the end of a session.
End of session (browser)
__utmz
Contains information about the traffic source or campaign that directed user to the website. The cookie is set when the GA.js javascript is loaded and updated when data is sent to the Google Anaytics server
6 months after last activity
__utmv
Contains custom information set by the web developer via the _setCustomVar method in Google Analytics. This cookie is updated every time new data is sent to the Google Analytics server.
2 years after last activity
__utmx
Used to determine whether a user is included in an A / B or Multivariate test.
18 months
_ga
ID used to identify users
2 years
_gali
Used by Google Analytics to determine which links on a page are being clicked
30 seconds
_ga_
ID used to identify users
2 years
_gid
ID used to identify users for 24 hours after last activity
24 hours
_gat
Used to monitor number of Google Analytics server requests when using Google Tag Manager
1 minute
Dear Fran
I didn’t get to attend too much of Sands of Time I confess. Too busy with the Trade Show and catching up with old colleagues BUT boy oh boy was I pleased I attended your talk. You are so generous and passionate and clever!! Thank you thank you for confirming and enlarging my ideas about what might help make a 21st Century Society. I particularly liked your reminder about differentiating between a goal and a strategy – something I always wrestle with. Now this is going to sound very strange but I can’t wait for us to stop moving so that we can stop and do some strategic planning!! And yes I know change is a constant !! I’m also conscious that we never got to talk about the owl. I haven’t forgotten. Let’s get on to that as soon as we can. Perhaps if you can, come to our next Members Meeting on 30th November – even if only virtually so you can see us still playing with it and trying to use it better. Talk soon. Alex
Sorry, Alex. I meant to reply sooner. Thanks for your kind comments. I do like sharing. I will follow up with the owl later. Fran