How to Keep Personal Information Out of Google Analytics

How to Keep Personal Information Out of Google Analytics

Google Analytics gives you powerful insights about your website traffic. But if you’re not careful, it can collect personal information that puts both you and your visitors at risk.

Recently, during a routine audit, we found email addresses and phone numbers inside the analytics reports of a client. That’s a huge privacy problem — and it violates laws like GDPR.

The good news? You can stop this from happening. And you don’t need to be a tech wizard to fix it.

At Flexicodes, we help businesses stay compliant, protect user privacy, and get accurate analytics data. Contact us today for a free consultation on your analytics setup.

What Is PII, and Why Should You Care?

PII stands for “Personally Identifiable Information.” It’s any detail that can help identify someone.

Examples of PII include:

• Full name
• Email address
• Phone number
• Home or mailing address
• Credit card number
• Usernames or passwords
• IP address (when tied to a user)

Here’s the trouble: This info can leak into Google Analytics through website URLs, especially after a user fills out a contact or login form.

Example of a dangerous URL:

www.yoursite.com/[email protected]

If that gets logged in your analytics, you may be unknowingly storing PII — breaking privacy laws like GDPR and CCPA.

Why You Must Remove PII From Google Analytics

Google strictly forbids storing personal data in Analytics.

Not removing PII can lead to:

• Fines from regulatory agencies
• Suspension of your Google Analytics account
• Loss of customer trust

Your brand reputation is on the line. Data privacy isn’t optional — it’s required.

Two Easy Ways to Keep PII Out of Google Analytics

Here’s how to clean up your analytics the right way. You can choose a plugin or set it up manually.

Method 1: Use a WordPress Plugin (Easy)

Running your website on WordPress? Great — this is the easiest method.

We recommend using the MonsterInsights plugin. It integrates with Google Analytics and has a built-in feature called Privacy Guard. With a few clicks, it blocks personal data from entering your reports.

Step-by-step:

1. Install and activate MonsterInsights.
2. Connect it to your Google Analytics account.
3. In WordPress, go to Insights » Settings » Engagement.
4. Toggle the Privacy Guard switch to “On.”

This setup blocks emails, form fields, and URL query strings that may include names or IDs.

Need help setting up MonsterInsights? Let us handle it for you. Explore our Google Analytics setup services.

Method 2: Manually Configure Google Analytics (Advanced)

If you’re not using WordPress, or prefer advanced control, this method is for you.

Here’s how:

1. Sign in to your Google Analytics account.
2. Go to the Admin panel.
3. Under Data Collection and Modification, choose Data Streams.
4. Select your website’s data stream.
5. Scroll to the Events section and click Redact data.
6. Turn on “Redact email addresses.”
7. Enable “Redact URL query parameters,” and add entries like:
   • email
   • name
   • ip_address
8. Save your settings.

This lets Google clean the data before saving it — no PII, no problem.

Manual setups require careful attention. If you need guidance, reach out to us. We specialize in privacy-safe analytics configurations.

Bonus Tips for Better Privacy and Compliance

Blocking PII is just step one. Make your website safer with these best practices:

• Use a cookie consent banner to get user permission before tracking.
• Build GDPR-compliant contact forms that anonymize user data.
• Add a comment opt-in checkbox to your blog to comply with privacy laws.
• Review your URLs and make sure no forms pass email or contact details in links.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Google Analytics collect personal data by default?

No, but if you’re not careful, personal info can enter your reports through URLs, forms, or custom scripts.

Is MonsterInsights the only way to block PII?

No, but it’s the easiest option for WordPress users. You can also configure GA manually, but this requires advanced setup.

Do I need a cookie banner if I use Google Analytics?

Yes. Tracking cookies activate privacy laws in many countries. You must get clear consent before using tracking tools.

What happens if my site collects PII in GA?

You can face fines, lawsuits, or account suspensions. Google can disable your account if they detect rule violations.

Let’s Talk Data Privacy

Protecting user data isn’t just smart—it’s the law. Stop risks before they start by tightening your Google Analytics setup today.

Need help? Our analytics and compliance experts are ready to protect your business. Contact us for a quote or learn more about our data privacy services.