: How does Google use analytics which uses first party cookies to show relevant ads on third party sites? I know that Google is collecting much information with Analytics. Analytics uses first-party

@Megan663

Google does not use Google Analytics for the purpose of choosing which ads to show.

Google AdSense ads set their own third party cookies. Google tracks users across multiple domains with cookies set by ads, not with cookies set by Google Analytics.

Vote Up Vote Down

@Caterina187

You use the same snippet (and therefore the same cookies) on each domain.

You then tell GA, through configuration, that both/all domains are acceptable and that data (cookies) should be shared.

Before setting up cross-domain tracking I thought it was linking different GA properties (UA-XXXX-1 and UA-XXXX-2) on different domains and that is not the case, it is the same GA property (UA-XXXX-1) used on different domains.

Sorry but that's as detailed as my understanding is...hope it helps.

And no, it doesn't involve browser fingerprinting (which is actually quite reliable...above 80% from what I understand) GPU fingerprinting, IP address tracking etc.

Don't get me wrong, it wouldn't surprise me if Google used every technology they could get to track users, they just don't make that available through GA. Without User ID, GA is cookie based and while it can include 3rd party cookies (demographic reporting), somehow they make it work cross-domain with 1st party cookies..if configured correctly.

Vote Up Vote Down