Very recently, Google announced several updates to Google Analytics including the ability to graph multiple data points at once, 6 additional languages and most importantly the ga.js tracking. Google Analytics was using the urchin.js tag earlier (it will still continue to work sans the new features).
The new update will be immediately available to all current Google Analytics users. The newly introduced 6 language options are — Thai, Filipino, Indonesian, Czech, Hungarian, and Portuguese (Portugal).
Google is rolling out the new ga.js page and is the recommended usage for your Google Analytics code. Nonetheless, the old urchin.js will continue to work sans the new features. The new migration will allow you to take advantage of the most up-do-date tracking functionality. This also enables tracking of ecommerce transactions in a more readable way.
So, what are the changes, benefits of the new codes?
The Google Analytics tracking code snippet and associated function calls have changed in several important ways;
- Faster, smaller source file
- Easier to use and understand
- Automatic detection of HTTPS
- Increased namespace safety
The new tracking code gives the following benefits and capabilities;
- Easily customize the tracking code for your site’s needs.
- Conveniently set up e-commerce and cross-domain tracking.
- Quickly enjoy new features and reports as they roll out.
Google promises a wide range of exciting new features coming down the pipeline — more granular and accurate reporting for Rich Internet Applications and additional goal types.
Note: The new ga.js will not work alongside the old tracking code – urchin.js when placed together on the same page.
References
Updates
26th Dec, 2007 — My own method of auto_prepend_file of a header script through .htaccess is conflicting with the new Google Analytics script and thus is not working properly on this site.
