Google Analytics does not work before consent

Hi @pstidsen

I think the answer can be found here: https://complianz.io/how-to-configure-google-analytics-for-gdpr/

TLDR: You should block the acquiring of IP addresses.

Hi Mathieu,

Thanks for your reply. I have seen the article but maybe I misunderstand some thing..

Should I make the blocing in Google Analytics or Complianz plugin settings?

Hi @pstidsen,

If you have set the UA code with Complianz, you need to check all three checkboxes under Cookies – Statistics in the Complianz wizard.

If you didn’t you can answer “Yes, Anonymous” in the same section.

The article from the above explains how to configure Google Analytics, but you need to check those boxes as well. Complianz will anonymize IP addresses for you,

Hope this helps,
regards Aert

Hi Aert,

Thanks for your reply.

I am trying to collect as much data as possible. My thought was that I could track anonymous before consent and then start collect the IP after consent. Let me explain:

I think most of my users will consent and allow us to collect the IP address. I think that information is valuable for statistics and I guess it’s needed to check for return visits.

However, for those users who are not willing to consent, I sill want to get the data possible e.g. which URL’s they hit, so I get more data on which blog posts are popular etc.

Is it possible to get “the best of both worlds”? I understand the third option in the Wizard in that way.

I hope this clarifies what I am trying to achieve.

Hi @pstidsen,

It won’t affect return visits, or any important metrics in Google Analytics, other than specific demographics/locations. Which should change from specific city to region or country only.

A workaround, whereby you anonymize first, then do a new request to collect the IP addresses if consent is available will most likely create unreliable statistics.

Whereby changing the last digits of an IP address to .*** will not create any issues.

Hope this helps,

Aert

Hi again,

Thanks for your reply and clarification. I did not know that anonymous could be that effective.

I have checked all three options in the Wizard and it seems to work.

Thanks! ??

/ Peter