If you’re using Google Analytics, you probably already know what a massively helpful tool it is for bloggers. But when it’s recording your own views, it can totally skew things (and either make you think you’re suddenly super popular, or that your visitors have really weird reading habits…). Either way, it won’t leave you with ideas for how to better serve your audience.
Getting Google Analytics to stop tracking your own views is way easier than it seems. It’s even something I put off because I thought it would be more of an ordeal than it was. (I’m sure you’ll agree that while GA is helpful, it’s not the easiest tool to use.) But you can do it! And in under 15 minutes. Here’s how:
How to prevent Google Analytics from showing your own page views
Time needed: 15 minutes.
Block your own IP in Google Analytics
- When logged in to your Google Analytics property, click the gear icon in the bottom left for “Admin”
- In the left column, click “All filters”
- Name your filter something like “Block My IP”
- For “Filter Type” select “Predefined”
Under “Select filter type” select “Exclude”
For “Select source or destination” select “Traffic from the IP addresses”
For “Select expression” select “That are equal to” - In the IP address field, input your IP address
If you don’t know what your IP address is, go to Google and type “What’s my IP” and Google will tell you!
- Click Save.
You won’t see your own page views in Google Analytics anymore.
Pin it so you’ll remember how to do it!
THANK YOU!!! I was looking for this solution for like 45 minutes. You are a life saver <3
Thanks for the nice description! But what to do if my IP address keeps changing?
If on wifi go into your router settings and set your device as a static ip address.
If using IPv4 it will block the network if you use IPv6 you will block the specific device.
So you will need to repeat these steps for each device/network you use. On your phone I recommend using the IPv6 because the IPv4 will be constantly changing because of the mobile network
All of those ips can and will change eventually unless you set up static IPs.
And if you use VPNs or TOR or anything like that then this will not work because those hide your true ip.
Thank you Christina. I worked with a Marketing Agency that did not even know how to block my IP from Google Analytics. Again thank you so much for the super clear explanation!