Install a cookie-free analytics plugin like Independent Analytics, run it alongside Google Analytics, and then remove GA entirely when you’re ready.
Google Analytics has been the default choice for WordPress sites for over a decade. I used to install it on every site I created without a second thought, but between GA4’s steep learning curve, consent banner headaches, and the fact that your data lives on Google’s servers, more site owners are looking for something simpler.
The good news: replacing Google Analytics on WordPress is straightforward. Here’s what you need to know before making the switch.
Switching to a WordPress analytics plugin
You’ve got a big advantage as a WordPress user. Instead of integrating a third-party app, you can simply install a new plugin.
We developed the Independent Analytics plugin to be as simple as possible for WordPress users to get started with. It tracks your visitors automatically upon installation and adds an interface to the admin dashboard that is much easier to use than Google Analytics.
In just a few minutes, you can be collecting data with your new analytics solution.
You can click here to download Independent Analytics or search for it by name in your Plugins → Add New menu to install on your site.
How long does it take to switch?
About five minutes with zero downtime. Installing an analytics plugin like Independent Analytics only takes a few minutes, and you don’t have to remove Google Analytics right away. This means you won’t experience any downtime, and you can fully remove GA once you’re ready.
If you added Google Analytics with another WordPress plugin, you can simply deactivate and delete that plugin to complete the transition.
Can I run both Google Analytics and an alternative side-by-side during the transition?
Yes, and it’s a smart way to make the switch.
Install your new analytics plugin alongside GA and let both run for two to four weeks. During that overlap period, you can compare the numbers and get comfortable with the new reports before fully committing.
These analytics tools will not produce errors or cause performance issues when run at the same time. In fact, we have many users who have “degoogled” their sites this way, after running both GA and Independent Analytics on their site for a while.
Here’s how to do it with Independent Analytics:
- Install the plugin. Go to Plugins → Add New in your WordPress dashboard, search for “Independent Analytics,” and click Install then Activate. There’s no tracking code to paste and no external account to create. It starts tracking immediately.
- Let both tools run. Keep your existing GA setup in place. Both tools will track visitors independently without interfering with each other.
- Compare your data. After a couple of weeks, check your core metrics in both tools. You’ll likely notice that Independent Analytics reports higher visitor counts — that’s because it tracks everyone, not just visitors who accepted a cookie banner.
- Remove GA when you’re ready. Deactivate whatever plugin or theme code you used to add the GA tracking script. If you added the GA snippet manually to your theme header, remove it there.
There’s no rush. Run both for as long as you need to feel confident in the switch.
Can I import data from Google Analytics?
There are no WordPress analytics plugins that can import data from Google Analytics, including Independent Analytics.
Generally speaking, transferring data from one analytics solution to another does not work well because each platform has its own unique database structure and metrics. Even when tools, like Plausible Analytics, allow importing data from Google Analytics, it is only a small fraction of the data. You won’t be able to view hourly data, eCommerce stats, exit pages, UTM sources, or apply any kind of filters.
What data will I lose (and gain) if I stop using Google Analytics?
You will not lose the historical data recorded in Google Analytics. You’ll always have access to that data if you need to revisit it, but your site will stop recording new stats in Google Analytics once you remove the tracking script.
Moving forward, the metrics most WordPress site owners rely on, such as page views, visitors, traffic sources, geographic data, and device breakdowns, are all available in alternatives like Independent Analytics. The stats provided in Independent Analytics and the Pro version are more than enough for most WP users, including bloggers, local businesses, agencies, and eCommerce stores.
Google analytics features you might miss
What you will lose access to are some GA-specific features like Google Ads integration, BigQuery exports, and advanced funnel analysis.
If you’re actively running Google Ads campaigns that depend on GA conversion tracking, that’s worth thinking through before switching. But for the majority of WordPress site owners who use analytics to understand their traffic and see which content performs best, an alternative covers everything you need.
New features you’ll enjoy
On the other hand, there’s also a strong argument that your data actually gets better after switching.
Google Analytics requires cookies, which means you need to show a consent banner. Most visitors decline or ignore consent banners, so GA ends up tracking only a portion of your real traffic, which is a major issue. A cookie-free alternative like Independent Analytics captures every visitor without needing consent, giving you a more complete and accurate picture.
Even better, you will get a much simpler interface that will make it easier for you to find and extract valuable insights. These benefits are multiplied when you have clients or coworkers who aren’t analytics experts and need to read the stats.
Will switching from Google Analytics hurt my SEO?
Google has stated on numerous occasions that using Google Analytics is not a ranking factor. This was stated in a now-deleted Tweet by John Mueller, a Google Search Advocate, and in this much older video by Matt Cutts, the former head of Google’s web spam team.
As an additional form of anecdotal evidence, many websites that rank extremely well in Google do not use Google Analytics, with Wikipedia being the most notable example.
Switching from Google Analytics to an alternative like Independent Analytics can be done in a couple of minutes and doesn’t require creating any new accounts. Click here to download a copy of Independent Analytics and get started now.
