Last week, Google moved to send all searches through Google SSL Search, setting up the ultimate end of keyword data passed along via referrers non-advertisers. Now, Google’s chief official alternative channel for this information — Google Webmaster Tools — has also stopped sharing the data.
Google Webmaster Tools has had outages before, so maybe this is just a temporary bug. But if so, it’s terrible timing.
Google stopped reporting keyword data through the “Search Queries” area as of September 25. There’s no data for that day or any of the following ones, from what I can see — and others on Twitter have reported a similar omission.
That puts the cutoff happening only two days after Google confirmed that it had ramping up the use of Google SSL Search. Even people not logged into Google are now directed to Google SSL Search. That causes search terms to be stripped from the “referrer” data passed along to publishers, except when people click on ads. That referrer data passes.
The data withholding, coupled with an earlier move to allow publishers to archive search term information if they use Google’s AdWords system — rather than the Google Webmaster Tools system — has led to much suspicion that Google’s holding back the data not just for privacy reasons (and some doubt this) but also to push ads.
On Monday, we asked Google about the issue — whether it was a bug or a permanent change. The company has yet to respond. That fits in with Google’s earlier refusal to answer further questions I sent last week about the reasons why it increased the use of secure search — and it’s not encouraging for frustrated publishers.
Google Webmaster Tools has had outages before, so maybe this is just a temporary bug. But if so, it’s terrible timing.
Google stopped reporting keyword data through the “Search Queries” area as of September 25. There’s no data for that day or any of the following ones, from what I can see — and others on Twitter have reported a similar omission.
The data withholding, coupled with an earlier move to allow publishers to archive search term information if they use Google’s AdWords system — rather than the Google Webmaster Tools system — has led to much suspicion that Google’s holding back the data not just for privacy reasons (and some doubt this) but also to push ads.
On Monday, we asked Google about the issue — whether it was a bug or a permanent change. The company has yet to respond. That fits in with Google’s earlier refusal to answer further questions I sent last week about the reasons why it increased the use of secure search — and it’s not encouraging for frustrated publishers.
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