Evolution of Analytics Benchmarking Report

This week, we are beginning a new way of providing benchmarking data to Google Analytics users. For almost three years, Google Analytics has provided a Benchmarking report for users who opt in for anonymous data sharing. In a few days, however, we will be removing the Benchmarking report from the Google Analytics interface, and replacing it with an expanded report that will be emailed directly to you.

In the coming few weeks, we’ll be delivering the new benchmarking report to all account administrators for accounts that are opted-in to anonymous data sharing. The report will expand on the type of data delivered to include broader trends, such as geographic or traffic source differences in visitor engagement. If you are interested in receiving the new benchmarking report, you can opt-in to anonymous data sharing.

1. Sign into your Google Analytics account
2. Select the account you want to opt-in from the account list
3. Select Edit account settings
4. Check the box next to Anonymously with Google and others

If you want one last look at the current reports make sure you visit them in the next few days. We’re looking forward to your feedback on the new format of the benchmarking report. Look out for it in the coming weeks.

Posted by Phil Mui, Google Analytics Team

Update: June, 2012: We will no longer be emailing this benchmarking report on a regular basis. We heard great feedback after our initial mailing and it turns out that a simple email is not able to meet the segmentation and analysis needs of our wide user base. We are exploring new ways to provide rich benchmarking data to our users in the future.