A few weeks ago, the Google Analyticator plugin stopped reporting stats to the WordPress Dashboard module. It’s been taken over by a new development company. If you switched to the Google Analytics plugin by Yoast and want to switch back, this video covers how to do that, plus how to install the plugin fresh if you’ve never used it before.
What Happened?
Google changed its API and the Google Analyticator plugin continued to collect site information and send to Google, but stopped the flow of information from reporting back to the Dashboard.
Ron Heft, the original plugin developer decided that he didn’t want to rebuild the plugin for the new API, and instead sold it to the firm Video User Manuals.
Making the Switch
During the time the plugin was unavailable I made a video tutorial showing you how to switch to the Google Analytics plugin by Yoast. This video will show you how to switch back or how to install the Google Analyticator plugin fresh.
Why You May Not Want to Switch
I switched several of my sites to the Yoast plugin and I’m leaving BlogAid.net on it because it tracks more stats and integrates with other tools that I want to use to go deeper into my analytics. The revamped Google Analyticator plugin now tracks more stats than the old one. So, after collecting data with both for a few months I’ll probably create a post comparing the two plugins.
But for now, enjoy the video of how to install the new plugin and what you’ll see in your Dashboard module.
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Sandra says
September 18, 2012 at 2:46 amI watched your new video and reset everything. However, I feel like a super non-geek, because my Dashboard now says: Visits over the past 30 days and then below that: Fatal error: Uncaught exception ‘Google_ServiceException’ with message ‘Error calling GET https://www.googleapis.com/analytics/v3/data/ga?ids=ga%3Aga%3A3… etc. (it’s a much longer notification).
No graphic…
My IUD was empty at first, but I linked that with the right Google Account and then my website http://www.taaltutor.nl was filled out there. So that can not be the issue here. But what is the issue??
MaAnna Stephenson says
September 18, 2012 at 6:32 pmHi Sandra. You’re not the only one that has had trouble switching over. Definitely contact the developer to let them know. I’m sure they want to work all of the bugs out as soon as possible. They’ve already release a new version for some minor fixes. So, if you have an upgrade notice, do that first, and then contact the developer.
Sandra says
September 27, 2012 at 3:51 amHi,
I deleted the Google Analyticator Plugin completely and then re-installed it. That worked. Now my Dashboard shows the graphic again. Thanks for all the tips!
MaAnna Stephenson says
September 28, 2012 at 6:07 pmGlad you got it going again, Sandra. And will stick that tip in my back pocket in case anyone has trouble just switching over to the new version.
Troy says
September 22, 2012 at 8:35 pmHi MaAnna,
I am part of the team that has taken over the GA plugin. Thanks for writing about the plugin. I’d love to hear any feedback on how we can make the plugin better and yes we have released several new fixes in the last week as we find bugs.
All support is being handled at the official WordPress support forum – http://wordpress.org/support/plugin/google-analyticator
And you can suggest any new features here – http://www.videousermanuals.com/google-analyticator/feature-request/
Keep up the good work.
Cheers,
Troy.
MaAnna Stephenson says
September 23, 2012 at 1:06 pmTroy, thank you so much for stopping by and giving us the links for support and suggestions. Most of my clients love this plugin specifically for the little module in the Dashboard. It’s a great way to let them see their growth and what their readers are responding to. I’m delighted to see all of the new things that are being tracked and look forward to following them in my analytics reports.
Thanks again for picking up this wonderful plugin!
Adriel Michaud says
September 28, 2012 at 11:25 amI used Analyticator in the past because it does a lot of smart things by default that I’d have to manually configure if I didn’t use it. It’s one of the plugins that we make use of on every single site we do.
MaAnna Stephenson says
September 28, 2012 at 6:09 pmMy first-time site owner clients love seeing that module in their dashboard because they can see their growth. It’s a super feedback and motivational tool. Tickled that the new version tracks even more analytics too.
Marc Connor says
October 2, 2012 at 9:56 pmHi Anna,
Thanks for another great and relevant article.
I too vacillate between Google Analyticator and Yoast. What I love about Analyticator is the stats when you’re in the “pages” and/or “posts” view.
I’m wondering, why not simply delete the entire plugin, Yoast, and install the new plugin Google Analyticator when switching? You’re not actually deleting the GA tracking code, you’re just deleting the tool that displays the stats.
In my personal usage, I noticed the GA plugin stopped working, in just one blog I manage. I simply had to re-authorize and everything was fine. All the other blogs and websites, about 4 in total survived the update(s) just fine.
I’ll be looking forward to your comparison between Google Analyticator and Google Analytics by Yoast in a few months. Until then…keep up the good posts.
Sincerely,
Marc
MaAnna Stephenson says
October 3, 2012 at 6:29 pmHi Marc,
It is possible to simply delete one then install the other fresh. I’ve heard reports in the comments here and folks emailing me that they also had to delete their deactivated copy of GA first and then reinstall fresh too. So, folks seem to be doing it every sort of way and in the end it works.
I’m trying to give time for both of the plugins to build up at least a month’s worth of stats on the two sites I’m testing. Will be interesting to see compare the results. Will post about it sometime before year end.