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If you are new to the wild world of online marketing and privacy, you may look to compare Facebook Pixel vs Google Analytics. Many of the most popular websites and online shopping platforms, after all, have adopted various practices that impact consumer privacy, though this can be leveraged by marketers and retail outlets. So what are the differences between Facebook Pixel and Google Analytics, and does this impact online sales and online privacy? Keep reading to find out.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Before comparing Facebook Pixel vs Facebook Analytics, it can be helpful to compare Meta’s offerings with Google Analytics. A Meta Pixel allows the placement of Facebook tracking Pixels in emails, which help track consumer behavior and assist with sales conversions. Facebook tracking pixels work similarly to third-party tracking pixels, and both are different than an analytics platform.
Insider Tip
Being as how the two are so different, many websites and companies opt to engage with both practices.
Whereas a pixel tracks information for marketers and online retailers, an analytics platform tracks the traffic and related data from a website; if you are wondering about the definition of Google ads tracking. Pixels often run afoul of regulatory agencies like the CCPA, but analytics platforms rarely do if you are wondering about the correlation between Google Analytics and the CCPA.
These contrasts break down in unique ways, described below.
Google Analytics and related platforms track all kinds of information to illustrate how well a website or online retailer is performing. This information includes who visited the site, where they were from, how long they spent on the site, and so on. Analytics platforms do not track personal data of any kind other than obvious items of information relayed via IP address. On the other hand, Pixels embed themselves all over, tracking almost everything. In other words, it is pixels that create the targeted ads you see on a regular basis and not an analytics platform.
There is basically no overlap between these two types of tracking technologies. While Google Analytics does a fantastic job of keeping an eye on website stats and related information, Facebook Pixel struggles in this regard. Pixels can keep an eye on some rudimentary website statistics but not nearly as well as a dedicated analytics platform can. Still, a pixel can keep an eye on plenty of things that an analytics platform cannot.
STAT: Both Facebook Pixel and Google Analytics are designed to keep accurate web statistics. However, there are key differences in their features, functions, and how they work. (source)
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