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!
