(Not Provided) - Google Analytics Keyword Not Provided
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Related Links
- Official Google Blog: Making search more secure
The official announcement.
Keyword (Not Provided) In GA Keywords Report
I don't know if you've seen it lately, but I sure have. I'm talking about the keyword "(Not Provided)" in Google Analytics. No, you're not ranking for that keyword. None of us are. If you haven't seen it, here's how to get there:
- Go to Non-Paid Search Traffic
- Change Date from 10/17/11-Current Date
- Go to Traffic Sources, then Sources, then Organic
- Look at your keywords.
Mine's up at the top, and yours should be close if it's not.
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What Is It?
Well on October 18th 2011, Google made an official announcement that they would not be providing keyword data for any of the organic search results coming from users who are signed in to their Google account.
This new policy isn't exclusive to Google Analytics. Considered an "enhancement" for the signed in users, they'll all be redirected to https://www.google.com which means the search results page will be encrypted. Of course we, the analyzers, will still get to see signed in users are coming to our pages, and that they came from organic search and not from elsewhere, but we will be seeing "(Not Provided)" instead of what keyword brought them there.
This is extremely frustrating for many SEO's out there who need to prove their keywords are working for clients. The rest of us, who don't need to prove anything to anyone but our selves, are just extremely frustrated.
Why Do This?
Google is trying to protect the user. Their official statement says “As search becomes an increasingly customized experience, we recognize the growing importance of protecting the personalized search results we deliver.”
Luckily, this isn't affected by paid search.
The Long Term Effect
According to Google, the amount of data effected by this change should be a very small percentage, considering it's only those who are signed in to Google. In my opinion, this means the longer it goes the more it's going to affect, as we all know Google wants as many people signed in and using their service as possible. Since the change, some sites have seen more than 2% of their keywords being (Not Provided). In a month or two this could be so much bigger for all of us.
CommentsLoading...
Thanks for the info - I did wonder about it but 2% of keywords - GM - is this really a big deal - everyone uses Google but sometimes I think we forget they are trying to run a viable business so it's there preogative - they don't owe us and, after all, have provided most of us with most of the information we have been lookoing for for years for FREE!
@CMHypno Don't think of it as a hoop, just a distraction to be ignored. I really don't think it will affect a lot of Hubbers.
@jfay2011 Google Keyword Tool is a blessing!
interesting. I'm just learning to get my keywords accurate. Up until yesterday my keywords were all over the place. I just discovered the google keyword tool today and am going to start making use of that too.
Another Google hoop to jump through! Thanks for the info Garrett
I think a lot of people are wondering, as I was myself, so I did some research and this was the info I came up with!
Thanks for sharing this- I was starting to wonder with regard to the 'not provided' analytics information and now I know. Thanks for the info- great hub!
Garrett Mickley Hub Author 6 months ago
@psychicdog.net That's very true and a good thought to keep in mind at all times.