Microsoft has unveiled finally their so awaited Analytics project: Microsoft Gatineau.
Now, you may say that Microsoft didn’t intend to compete with Google Analytics, but obviously that is not the case. This is a direct competitor for Google Analytics and is exactly what the community needed. I believe that competition is the best that can happen to Google Analytics. Not that Google Analytics is bad, actually is one of the best Analytics platforms I have every used, but it is always good to have the option of deciding A or B.
I would like to post a lot more snapshots of the new platform but it is not reporting just yet since I just installed it in my site. This was a waited moment Mr. Microsoft. The Gatineau Beta version was waited for more than a year and it included a period where you could sign up for a chance to participate in the Beta program.
If the future of Analytics is near, it is today. I can’t wait to compare data, and do some comparison kind of to keep both of the platforms accountable. Anyhow, in terms of SEO, I am sure that many “grey hats” out there might be moving their analytics to Microsoft to lower the risk of being “spotted” from the inside out by Google. Others, might just install it to play around and to get the most accurate information about the behavior of their visitors.
Now, please don’t tell me that you still won’t have analytics installed on your site, because if you are serious about your search marketing strategies or your internet marketing altogether, you can’t do it without analytics.
Kudos to Microsoft and their team: Time to test and celebrate (perhaps a lot of long nights people!)
