Which Google Analytics code to use

[Kassey Lee]

I found the following two code snippets from Google's site. Can someone explain their difference and when to use them. (In my Google Analytics account, only the second method is mentioned.)


Method 1:
Source: Adding the tracking code (traditional) - Analytics Help

<script type="text/javascript">
var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");
document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));
</script>
<script type="text/javascript">
try{
var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-xxxxxx-x");
pageTracker._trackPageview();
} catch(err) {}
</script>

Method 2:
Source: Set up the tracking code (asynchronous) - Analytics Help



<script type="text/javascript">

var _gaq = _gaq || [];
_gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-XXXXX-X']);
_gaq.push(['_trackPageview']);

(function() {
var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true;
ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js';
var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s);
})();

</script>

 

[todosa]

Answer is here:

Asynchronous Tracking Usage Guide - Google Analytics - Google Code

basicly asynchronous is faster than traditional and you can push some event to be loged by
HTML Event Handlers and Pushing Functions

 

[Kassey Lee]

Thanks todosa. I read the explanation but still couldn't understand very well.

I guess my question is: when is the traditional method preferred to the asynchronous method? When would you use the former?

 

[todosa]

The answer to your question is that traditional method is made for quick and easy counting.

Asynchronous is for detailed and andvansed counting.

Оf course - this is my opinion

 

[Kassey Lee]

OK, so if I use the traditional method, I'll get less information in GA reports. Thanks

 

[Aaron Moody]

You'll get let, but you will just get the info that is more likely to be useful to you anyway. No need to get overwhelmed with too much info.