Search Query No Longer Passed Through When Logged into a Google Account

With Google implemented several changes to its algorithm, SEO or internet marketing job becomes tougher day after day. Google has recently announced that they're about to make search even more secure. As part of the announcement, Google search team on October 18th announced that SSL search on https://www.google.com will serve as the default certificate for all the logged-in Gmail users and so Google Analytics won't be able to track searches done by users while they're logged in. As per Google, this move has been taken to help protect user privacy.

Note: This change will not affect paid campaigns (PPC) and you'll see the all the details as usual.

What happens when a signed-in user performs search?

When a signed in user visits your website through organic search results (Google), all web analytics tools like Google Analytics will continue to showcase your visits as "organic visits" from Google, but will no longer report or show those query terms used by the visitor to reach your site. Except the keywords data, no other data is going to be affected including the visits & conversions.

If the user is not signed in, you'll continue to see all the details as usual without any change. However, Google has provided an additional option to get an idea of what keywords users are using to land on our site, by checking the Google Webmaster tools dashboard where you'll find all the keywords that are driving traffic to your site.

If you're using the new version of Google Analytics, its advisable to link your webmaster tools account with the Analytics. Its very straightforward and will not take more than 5minutes of time. Remember that you should be an administrator of the account to perform this integration.

Webmaster Tools Integration in Google Analytics

1. Sign into Google Analytics
2. Make sure you’re using the ‘new version’ of Google Analytics
3. Go to your web analytics property i.e., your website
4. Click on the setting gear icon i.e., displayed on the top right corner
5. Select the “Web Property Settings” tab
6. Under “Webmaster Tool Settings” (can be found at the bottom) click “Edit”
7. Select the Webmaster Tools property (your site) you want to link
8. Click “Save” in WMT
9. Click “Apply” in Google Analytics.

That's it! Your Webmaster tools account is now linked with Google Analytics and all your WMT data can be accessed right from your GA dashboard by clicking on "Queries" under "Traffic Sources" > "Search Engine Optimization" (see pic below).