Analytics for Marketers

Link to get Live HTTP Headers and Fiddler2

2nd June, 2010 - Posted by gabe.francis - No Comments

Google Analytics communicates with its servers through standard HTTP protocol. Fortunately for us we can intercept the messages it passes to do some advanced troubleshooting. Using the tools linked below look for GET requests starting with __utm.gif . The information appending to this request contains most information collected by Analytics from your users’ website visits.

Live HTTP Headers for Firefox exposes the HTTP requests between a server and your web browser in a convenient pop-up window. The generator tab provides a concise summary of GET and POST requests. Note the line starting with GET /__utm.gif?… This is the Google Analytics gif hit.

Fiddler2 logs all HTTP traffic between your computer and the Internet. Unlike Live HTTP Headers it works across all web browsers.

Other useful de-bugging tools that display HTTP headers include Firebug for Firefox and Chrome Developer Tools for Google Chrome. If you’re willing to throw down a few dollars, the WASP tool for Firefox is also quite good.

Are we forgetting any of your favorite tools? Tell us in the comments below.