New Google Search referring URL format; Google Analytics unaffected
Google is rolling out new referring URL format for Google search. Up to now, the usual referrer for clicks on Google search results for the term say "flowers", would be: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=flowers&btnG=Google+Search
Now it will be like this: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=7&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.example.com%2Fmypage.htm&ei=0SjdSa-1N5O8M_qW8dQN&rct=j&q=flowers&usg=AFQjCNHJXSUh7Vw7oubPaO3tZOzz-F-u_w&sig2=X8uCFh6IoPtnwmvGMULQfw
The key difference between two urls is of "/search?" and the "/url?". Google Analytics does not depend on the "/search?" string, but other analytics packages may need to adapt to this change in our referrer string to maintain accurate reports, announced Analytics blog.

Leave a comment »