When I started my blog in March this year, I was thrilled to see over 1500 page views in my Google Analytics Dashboard, but it turned out that was MY views, when I edit pages or added a new blog posts, when I clicked Preview it was counted as page view every single time (and trust me, some pages have been edited over 80 times!).
Many bloggers post their traffic reports or share their page views in social media posts and some of them might not even realise that over half of the monthly page views can be THEIR views, so not a real traffic. If you really want to have an accurate Google Analytics reports, you NEED to exclude internal traffic (your entries) from it.
Unfortunately, this is not a default setting, therefore you need to set it manually or use the opt-out plugin.
In this post, I’ll show you three easy methods to remove yourself from Google Analytics data. One of the methods requires excluding your IP address from Google Analytics, the second is an exclusion setting in Google Analytics WordPress plugin and the third one is quite radical, but it works if you have a dynamic IP address (which changes every day or once a week) but it has a huge downside.
METHOD ONE
EXCLUDE YOUR IP ADDRESS FROM GOOGLE ANALYTICS DATA, BY CREATING IP FILTER
1. Search for “what is my IP address“ in Google to check the IP address you’re using
2. Go to your Google Analytics account and navigate to Admin > View > Filters
3. Click on Add Filter
4. In the Filter Name box, type My IP exclusion (or whatever you want to call it)
5. Leave the Filter Type as Predefined
6. Select filter type: Exclude
7. Select source or destination: traffic from the IP addresses
8. Select expression: that are equal to
9. IP address: type your IP address
10. And you’re DONE!
METHOD 2
EXCLUSION SETTING IN GOOGLE ANALYTICS WORDPRESS PLUGIN
There are many of plugins for WordPress which enables seeing Google Analytics dashboard, but personally, I use plugin called Google Analytics Dashboard for WP
Now, to remove yourself from Google Analytics data using this plugin:
1. Go to the left side in your WordPress menu, choose Google Analytics > Tracking Code
2. Click on the tab Exclude Tracking > Select Administrator > Save
3. And you’re DONE!
METHOD 3
USING GOOGLE ANALYTICS OPT-OUT BROWSER ADD-ON
ATTENTION!
This add-on will prevent your data from being used by Google Analytics, which means when you visit someone’s website, they won’t see it in their analytics.
This is a really radical option, so you should definitely use method one or method two instead, but I think this third method is worth mentioning. For us bloggers, getting traffic is probably one of the most desired things, so every visit from your audience is golden. That’s why the third method is should be your last resort NOT your first choice.
1. Go to Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on website and click the blue button Get Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on
2. You need to accept the terms and conditions, so click on Accept and Install
3. Follow the instruction on the screen
4. And you’re DONE!
I wish I knew that before I started to write my blog, it was so awesome to see thousands of visit on my blog, but then I got really upset because they weren’t a really visit. If you just starting your blogging adventure, I highly encourage you to remove yourself from Google Analytics Data to avoid disappointment.
I’m sure, you really want an accurate traffic reports right?
This Post Has 24 Comments
Thank you so much for this information. Method One worked a treat. Now I’ll get a better picture of real visitors to my new website.
Amazing! I’m happy for you, Linda 😉
Thank you for the super simple explanation and directions:)
No problem, Greeta! Thanks for your lovely comment 😉
Hi Adrianna! I’ve been trying to wrap my head around my IP exclusion for a while now and decided today was the day I had to get it done! Thank you so much for your post! You made it so simple and easy to follow. Ten minutes later and I’ll no longer be receiving false traffic reports generated by me! Thanks again! Have a wonderful day!
Hi Joanna,
I’m so glad to hear that you found this tutorial easy to follow and that it helped you. Have a lovely day!
Thanks, Adrianna. I have been “thinking” about excluding myself for several weeks. Didn’t get around to it, because many tutorials make it seem a daunting task.
Now my monthly visits will drop from 3,517 to 4, I suppose..lol
Seriously, thank you! 🙂
No problem Clifford! I’m glad this tutorial helped you exclude yourself from Google Analytics 😉
Thank you so much Adrianna!
This was helpful. I followed the Option 1 setting. Thank you!!!
Zerah Mercado
http://zerahmercado.com
Thank you, Zerah! I’m happy that you were able to exclude yourself from Google Analytics thanks to this post 😉
Hi Adrianna,
Very clear explanation!
In the case you are traveling and you don’t always consult your website through the administrator account. How would you proceed? As your IP will constantly change with the location.
Tks
Hi Chris,
Thanks! In that case, I’d advise you to follow the method 3, so to opt-out from Google Analytics altogether for the time when you travelling.
Thank you so much Adrianna! This is the most helpful article about Analytics exclusion by far 🙂
Thank you so much, Benita! Your comment has made my day! 😉
Hello ADRIANNA!
I am Japanese, but I could successfully set up thanks to your clear and comprehensive explanation.
I appreciate it very much.
Thank you.
Hi!
I’m so happy to hear that you were able to exclude yourself from Google Analytics thanks to this tutorial! 😉
So easy and straightforward. Thanks for sharing this tip!
Yay! I’m so happy to hear that, because it was my intention. You’re welcome Catherine 😉
Oh wow, I didn’t know this!! (with you on the 80 page revisions haha!) Thanks for the tips!
They should set it as a default, right? I only found out about it by accident. You’re welcome Jenna, I’m glad I could help you out 😉
This was so helpful and not confusing at all. Thank you so so much!
Caitlyn | http://www.collegewithcaitlyn.com
Thank you so much Caitlyn! I’m so glad you feel this way – that was my intention to make it as clear as possible 😉
Ohhh Adrianna – this is such perfect timing! Thanks so much! Clare xo
You’re welcome Clare! I’m so happy it helped you 😉