Are there any reasons NOT to install Google console or analytics?
 

I think I remember it being said on this forum at least a couple of times, that installing Google Analytics would be a bad idea.

The only reason I can think of is if you have multiple sites and they then penalize you for having a PBN.

Other than that, is it a bad idea to give Google 'too much information' about your sites (I'm sure somebody advised that here)?

You just answered your own question!

Yes, if you want to avoid "fingerprinting", then dont do it. Use GA and WT only for your money sites, and hide PNB sites like snake hides it's legs.

i dont see the purpose of GA anymore. tracking and reporting can be done fast with private software now.

personally i think GA gets harder to use every 'update'. this latest new version bs in July was my final straw. i moved all tracking and reporting in-house.

the only thing i found useful with GA was search data tied to advertising. pretty much useless if you don't advertise. G webmaster tools will show you top incoming terms. that only requires authenticating the domain. they don't send your site data back to their data warehouses every click.

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Ha, yes it does look like I answered my own question. Thanks for the answers everybody. The main reason I added my site to Google Console was because I saw with Semrush that I had a lot of inbound spammy links appear from the same Indian IP around a year ago. I assume they are from a competitor using black hat tactics? Anyway, I understand you have to disavow them through Google Console?

"do you accept cookies?" 🙄

hmmm we use GA on both our blog and my official site, this now, sounding like a bad idea!

I obviously promote my official site from my blog so this sounds like not good news!

You'd be sharing all your metrics with Google... if you're fine with that, go ahead. If you think your bounce rates, time on site and other metrics could harm your Google rankings, then its probably best to not use it.

I personally never have and never will use Google Analytics. Too much valuable data to share with Google...

WG

I also don't use google analytics, never have

:2 cents::thumbsup

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lots of privacy friendly alternatives