Is google secretly tracking us through google fonts?
- Thread starter HaxTuTorial
- Start date
- Mar 21, 2013
- 24,780
- 31,560
Basically all those javascripts, fonts, analytics, adsense, chrome browser, maps and android phones are designed to track you.
Bartholomew
Regular Member
- Dec 31, 2009
- 291
- 105
Of course it does. It tracks through browsers (such as when reporting attacking sites option is on - by default it's on in FF) as well, through g+ buttons and through many other services as well. Anything which smells google tracks you, as this is their business after all. If they can track - the will track, because there's no reason not to do this.
Well, it does not track exactly you. It just tracks paths of every user who is exposed to their services, gathering their interests and links between them.
Well, it does not track exactly you. It just tracks paths of every user who is exposed to their services, gathering their interests and links between them.
SEO Power
Elite Member
- Jul 14, 2014
- 2,642
- 688
I also don't use Analytics, but I use Webmaster Tools. It makes no difference really. The sites I added to GWT and those I didn't add to GWT get penalised in the same way. There's no way to stop them from tracking your online activities, so resorting to paranoia and avoiding Google services is just a waste of time.
sarav
Junior Member
- Mar 26, 2014
- 166
- 21
I even don't prefer to go for analytics for obvious reasons. We are openly giving consent to track our website data to google.
They tasted visitor tracking using analytics and now found way more than possibilities to track not only JUST referring URLS.
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SEO Power
Elite Member
- Jul 14, 2014
- 2,642
- 688
I just dislike G Analytics. I use Clicky and Statcounter instead.
sarav
Junior Member
- Mar 26, 2014
- 166
- 21
Statcounter is a better alternative compared to G analytics
OpenDns is also can be a good alternative in terms of GoogleDNS
List goes so on.
As you said, it is not avoiding google altogether. If there is a better option then why not. In the other hand, If still Google's product quality convincing it is good. I will go for it without minding some little tracking though.
- Mar 21, 2013
- 24,780
- 31,560
Step 1: Clear all your cookies.
Step 2: Visit a site about pumpkin seeds which has any google trackers on it(adsense, analytics, maps, javascript apis or just use chrome browser which can spy on your entire PC and substitutes all those online trackers).
Step 3: Visit a site about old gasoline curburators. Watch pumpkin seed ads on the gasoline carburator site.
Step 4: Go into Gmail and see ads about pumpkin seeds.
Step 5: Search for anything on google.com and watch the results skewed to your "preferences". Pumpkin seed carburators and so on.
Step 6: Convince yourself every single google product is meant to track you.
Step 2: Visit a site about pumpkin seeds which has any google trackers on it(adsense, analytics, maps, javascript apis or just use chrome browser which can spy on your entire PC and substitutes all those online trackers).
Step 3: Visit a site about old gasoline curburators. Watch pumpkin seed ads on the gasoline carburator site.
Step 4: Go into Gmail and see ads about pumpkin seeds.
Step 5: Search for anything on google.com and watch the results skewed to your "preferences". Pumpkin seed carburators and so on.
Step 6: Convince yourself every single google product is meant to track you.
rob1977
Power Member
- Mar 25, 2013
- 781
- 694
I believe you Op, I'm just back in the house, I've closed the curtains and now I'm hiding!!!
Google has sent a drone and its following me everywhere!!
It's white and shaped like candy floss and when I throw stones at it I can't reach they are so high.
I can't outrun it, were finished I tell ya, finished.
Google has sent a drone and its following me everywhere!!
It's white and shaped like candy floss and when I throw stones at it I can't reach they are so high.
I can't outrun it, were finished I tell ya, finished.
sarav
Junior Member
- Mar 26, 2014
- 166
- 21
So far I believe google only tracks visitors of our websites.
What happens using chrome, GoogleDNS, Fonts being used to track the activities of SEO's. Tagging the IP address of WebsiteOwner, SEO and correlating his acitivities are more than good enough to produce conclusive results.
I am not being nervous or panic here. With the level of data google collects. If I have the possibilities I will do the same.
However, don't be paranoid to use google services though. We cant prevent google to do what it wants. but then, don't overlook TOOMUCH on it also.
What happens using chrome, GoogleDNS, Fonts being used to track the activities of SEO's. Tagging the IP address of WebsiteOwner, SEO and correlating his acitivities are more than good enough to produce conclusive results.
I am not being nervous or panic here. With the level of data google collects. If I have the possibilities I will do the same.
However, don't be paranoid to use google services though. We cant prevent google to do what it wants. but then, don't overlook TOOMUCH on it also.
bluehatface
Regular Member
- Oct 19, 2013
- 290
- 125
Put on your tin-foil hat, download the fonts from google, and upload to your site.
prakashsood
Newbie
- Sep 16, 2014
- 13
- 2
Follow your instinct, if you are not comfortable with something, stop using it.
junglist08
Junior Member
- Aug 1, 2013
- 128
- 25
Yeah block it, you're safe now 
at:
at:MRProfitHunter
Newbie
- Aug 23, 2013
- 8
- 2
Yesteday google went offline for like 20min and my websites didn't load cause it couldn't pull Google fonts haha... it loaded like after 2min and not properly
sarav
Junior Member
- Mar 26, 2014
- 166
- 21
Are you sure?
WebFonts (loading similar to scripts and images) are usually served through CDNS.
And also, fonts are usually not a show stopper when it comes to loading pages. Browser will safely substitute or fall-back to default fonts. Likely your website problem not related to fonts here.