Add Google Analytics Disclosures to Your Policy

Tested prompts for privacy policy for google analytics compared across 5 leading AI models.

BEST BY JUDGE SCORE Claude Opus 4.7 9/10

If you installed Google Analytics on your website, you are legally required to disclose that in your privacy policy. Google's own Terms of Service mandate it, and privacy laws including GDPR, CCPA, and ePrivacy Directive independently require you to tell visitors what data you collect, who processes it, and how long it is retained. Skipping this disclosure is not a gray area — it is a violation that can trigger regulatory fines or get your Google Analytics account terminated.

The disclosure needs to cover specific details: what data Google Analytics collects (IP addresses, device type, session behavior, referral sources), that Google acts as a data processor, that data may be transferred to US-based servers, and what opt-out mechanisms exist. A vague sentence saying 'we use analytics tools' does not satisfy GDPR requirements or Google's own policies.

This page uses AI-generated drafts to show you exactly what that disclosure language should look like. Whether you are adding a Google Analytics section to an existing privacy policy or writing one from scratch for a new site, the prompt outputs below give you ready-to-adapt language. Review the comparison table to pick the version that matches your site type, then edit for your specific data retention settings and cookie consent setup.

When to use this

Use AI-drafted Google Analytics disclosure language when you need to add or update a privacy policy section quickly and accurately. This approach works best when you have a clear picture of how your site uses Analytics — whether you run GA4 or Universal Analytics, whether you use IP anonymization, and whether you have a cookie consent banner in place.

You just installed Google Analytics on a new website and have no privacy policy yet
You migrated from Universal Analytics to GA4 and your existing policy still references old data practices
You received a GDPR compliance audit flag and need to update your policy with specific processor and transfer disclosures
You run a SaaS product with a marketing site and need separate disclosure language for the logged-out public pages versus the app
You are a freelancer or agency writing privacy policies for client sites that all use Google Analytics

When this format breaks down

Your site is subject to HIPAA or handles protected health information — Google Analytics is generally prohibited in those contexts and a disclosure alone does not make it compliant
You are operating under a consent management platform with a custom data processing agreement with Google, which requires tailored legal language beyond what a general AI draft provides
Your site targets children under 13 and falls under COPPA — Google Analytics use in that context raises separate compliance issues that disclosure language alone does not resolve
You need a full privacy policy written from scratch for a complex business with multiple data processors — this prompt is scoped to the Analytics disclosure section, not an entire policy

The prompt we tested

You are a privacy policy writer specializing in web analytics disclosures. Generate clear, compliant privacy policy language covering Google Analytics usage based on the website details below.

Instructions: Write in clear, professional plain English at a grade 9 reading level using second-person ('we', 'you'). Format as a standalone policy section with an H2 heading 'Google Analytics' and labeled subsections or short paragraphs with bold lead-ins. Keep total length 300-450 words and include working URLs for Google's policies and the opt-out tool.

Website details:
Our website is brightloom.com, a small US-based SaaS company serving customers in the US, UK, and EU. We use Google Analytics 4 with IP anonymization enabled and a 14-month data retention setting, and we rely on user consent via our cookie banner as the legal basis under GDPR.

Produce a ready-to-paste Google Analytics disclosure section for the website's privacy policy. Include: (1) what Google Analytics is and why it's used, (2) types of data collected (cookies, IP addresses, device/browser info, pages visited, referral sources), (3) how data is processed and shared with Google, (4) data retention and anonymization settings if applicable, (5) legal basis (GDPR) and user rights, (6) opt-out instructions including the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on link, and (7) links to Google's privacy policy and terms. Use plain language suitable for end users.

Model comparison

Model	Quality	Cost	Latency	Tokens
Claude Opus 4.7	9	$0.0796	14.5s	490 / 963
Claude Haiku 4.5	8	$0.0030	7.2s	342 / 531
GPT-5.4	8	$0.0088	10.2s	302 / 539
Gemini 2.5 Pro	1	$0.0006	18.4s	321 / 38
Grok 4.1 Fast Reasoning	8	$0.0003	8.3s	451 / 513

Outputs

Claude Opus 4.7 9/10

## Google Analytics

**What it is and why we use it.** Our website, brightloom.com, uses Google Analytics 4, a web analytics service provided by Google LLC ("Google"). Google Analytics helps us understand how visitors find and use our site so we can improve our content, features, and overall user experience. We rely on this data to measure which pages perform well, identify technical issues, and make informed decisions about our product.

**Information collected.** When Google Analytics is active, it may collect the following types of information through cookies and similar technologies:

- **Cookies and identifiers** used to distinguish unique visitors and sessions
- **IP address** (truncated/anonymized before storage — see below)
- **Device and browser information**, such as device type, operating system, screen size, and browser version
- **Usage data**, including pages visited, time spent on pages, clicks, and navigation paths
- **Referral sources**, such as the website or search term that brought you to us
- **Approximate location** (country or region) derived from your IP address

**How the data is processed and shared.** The information collected is transmitted to and stored by Google on servers that may be located in the United States or other countries. Google processes this data on our behalf to generate reports about site activity. Google may also use this data in accordance with its own privacy practices. We do not sell this data.

**Anonymization and retention.** We have enabled **IP anonymization**, which means your IP address is truncated by Google before being stored, so we cannot identify you personally from it. We have also set our **data retention period to 14 months**, after which user-level data is automatically deleted from Google Analytics.

**Legal basis and your rights (GDPR/UK GDPR).** For visitors in the EU, UK, and EEA, our legal basis for using Google Analytics is **your consent**, which you provide through our cookie banner when you first visit our site. You can withdraw your consent at any time by adjusting your preferences through the cookie banner. Under GDPR, you also have rights to access, correct, delete, or restrict the processing of your personal data.

**How to opt out.** You can opt out of Google Analytics tracking in any of the following ways:

- Decline analytics cookies in our cookie banner (or update your choice at any time)
- Install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on: [https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout](https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout)
- Block or delete cookies through your browser settings

**Google's policies.** For more information on how Google collects and processes data, please review:

- Google Privacy Policy: [https://policies.google.com/privacy](https://policies.google.com/privacy)
- Google Terms of Service: [https://policies.google.com/terms](https://policies.google.com/terms)
- How Google uses data from sites or apps that use its services: [https://policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites](https://policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites)

Claude Haiku 4.5 8/10

# Google Analytics

**What We Use Google Analytics For**

We use Google Analytics 4, a web analytics service provided by Google LLC, to understand how visitors use our website. This helps us improve brightloom.com's performance, fix technical issues, and learn which features are most valuable to you. We analyze this information to make better decisions about our service and user experience.

**What Information We Collect**

When you visit our website, Google Analytics collects information about your visit, including:

- Your IP address (which we anonymize to protect your privacy)
- The pages you view and how long you spend on each one
- How you found our website (for example, through a search engine or another site)
- Your device type and browser information
- Your general location (country or city level)
- Cookie identifiers that help us recognize repeat visitors

We do not intentionally collect sensitive personal information like passwords, payment details, or health data through Google Analytics.

**How We Share Your Data**

Your Google Analytics data is processed by Google and stored on Google's servers. Google may use this data according to its own privacy practices. We have configured Google Analytics to anonymize your IP address before it is stored, which removes the final numbers from your address to better protect your privacy.

**Data Storage and Your Privacy**

We have set Google Analytics to automatically delete your data after 14 months of inactivity. This limits how long we retain your information. Since we serve customers in the EU and UK, we rely on your consent through our cookie banner as the legal basis for using Google Analytics under GDPR rules.

**Your Rights and Choices**

You have the right to know what data we collect and to object to its collection. You can:

- Refuse or withdraw consent using our cookie banner at any time
- Install the [Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on](https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout) to prevent Google Analytics from tracking your visits
- Contact us directly to request information about your data or to ask questions

**More Information**

For details about how Google processes your data, please review Google's [Privacy Policy](https://policies.google.com/privacy) and [Google Analytics Terms of Service](https://marketingplatform.google.com/about/analytics/terms/us/). You can also learn more about [Google Analytics and privacy](https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/6004245).

GPT-5.4 8/10

## Google Analytics

**What it is and why we use it.** We use Google Analytics 4 (“Google Analytics”) on brightloom.com to help us understand how you use our website. Google Analytics is a web analytics service provided by Google that shows us website traffic patterns and user interactions. We use this information to improve our site, measure performance, understand which pages and features are useful, and make our services easier to use.

**What data is collected.** With your consent, Google Analytics uses cookies and similar technologies to collect information about your use of our website. This may include your IP address, browser type, device type, operating system, language settings, pages you visit, time spent on pages, actions you take on the site, dates and times of visits, and the website or link that referred you to brightloom.com. Google may also assign identifiers to help distinguish users and sessions.

**How data is processed and shared.** The information collected through Google Analytics is transmitted to and processed by Google on our behalf. We use Google Analytics reports to review trends and website activity in aggregated form. Google may process this information on servers located in the United States or other countries. We do not use Google Analytics to directly identify you by name. However, online identifiers and technical data may still be considered personal data under applicable law.

**IP anonymization and retention.** We have enabled IP anonymization in Google Analytics 4. This means Google shortens or masks IP information before using it for analytics reporting, where supported. We have also configured a **14-month data retention period** for Google Analytics event data.

**Legal basis and your rights.** If you are in the UK or EU, our legal basis for using Google Analytics cookies and similar technologies is **your consent**, which we collect through our cookie banner. You can withdraw your consent at any time by changing your cookie preferences. Depending on where you live, you may also have rights to access, correct, delete, or restrict the use of your personal data, and to object to certain processing.

**How to opt out.** You can refuse or manage analytics cookies through our cookie banner or your browser settings. You can also install Google’s Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on here: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout

**More information from Google.** You can learn more about how Google uses data here: https://policies.google.com/privacy and Google’s terms here: https://policies.google.com/terms. For additional information about how Google uses information from sites and apps that use its services, visit: https://policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites

Gemini 2.5 Pro 1/10

Of course. Here is a clear and compliant Google Analytics disclosure for your privacy policy, written to the specified requirements.

***

## Google Analytics

To better understand how visitors interact with our

Grok 4.1 Fast Reasoning 8/10

## Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics 4 (GA4) on brightloom.com to better understand how you interact with our site. This helps us improve our services, analyze traffic, and optimize user experience. Google Analytics is a web analytics tool provided by Google LLC.

### Data Collected
Google Analytics collects certain information about your visits through cookies and similar technologies. This includes:
- **Cookies and identifiers**: Small files stored on your device to track sessions and behavior.
- **IP address**: Anonymized (last octet removed) to protect your privacy.
- **Device and browser info**: Such as type, screen resolution, and operating system.
- **Usage data**: Pages visited, time spent, referral sources (e.g., how you found us), and actions taken.

We do not collect personal data like names or emails through Google Analytics.

### How Data is Processed and Shared
Your data is processed by Google on our behalf in the US and other countries. We share it with Google LLC (1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA) under data processing agreements that include safeguards like Standard Contractual Clauses for EU/UK transfers. Google uses it to generate reports for us and may use aggregated data for its own services. See Google's [Privacy Policy](https://policies.google.com/privacy) and [Terms of Service](https://marketingplatform.google.com/about/analytics/terms/us/).

### Data Retention and Anonymization
We enable IP anonymization in GA4, so your full IP is never stored. Data is retained for 14 months maximum, after which it's automatically deleted or anonymized further. You can request deletion via our support.

### Legal Basis and Your Rights
For EU/UK users, we rely on your consent (via our cookie banner) as the GDPR legal basis. US users: this supports legitimate interests in site improvement. You have rights to access, correct, delete, or object to this processing. Contact us at privacy@brightloom.com. EU/UK residents can lodge complaints with your data protection authority.

### How to Opt Out
- **Cookie banner**: Reject analytics cookies on your first visit.
- **Browser settings**: Clear cookies or use Do Not Track.
- **Google opt-out**: Install the [Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on](https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout) for Chrome, Firefox, or Edge—it prevents data collection across sites.

Opting out may limit personalized features but won't affect site functionality. Changes take effect immediately.

*(Word count: 378)*

What makes these work

01

Name the exact Analytics version
Specify whether you use GA4, Universal Analytics, or Google Analytics for Firebase in your prompt. These products have different data models, retention defaults, and consent requirements. A disclosure written for Universal Analytics will be inaccurate for GA4 and could mislead regulators reviewing your policy.
02

State your legal jurisdiction upfront
GDPR, UK GDPR, CCPA, PIPEDA, and LGPD each require different disclosure elements. Tell the AI your user base geography in the prompt so it includes the correct legal basis, data subject rights, and transfer mechanism language. Generic output that covers no jurisdiction specifically satisfies none of them.
03

Include your consent mechanism status
Whether you have a cookie consent banner, a consent management platform, or no consent mechanism at all changes what the disclosure must say. If Analytics fires before consent, the disclosure language and the legal basis section will look very different than if you gate it behind an accept click.
04

Confirm IP anonymization and retention settings
Check your actual GA4 or UA configuration before finalizing the output. If your disclosure says IP addresses are anonymized but you never enabled that setting, the policy is inaccurate. Pull your real retention period from Google Analytics Admin settings and insert the correct figure rather than using a placeholder.

More example scenarios

#01 · Simple blog adding GA4 for the first time

Input

I run a personal recipe blog. I just added Google Analytics 4 to track page views and traffic sources. I have no existing privacy policy. I need a Google Analytics disclosure section I can add to a new privacy policy. I am based in the US but have European readers.

Expected output

We use Google Analytics 4, a web analytics service provided by Google LLC, to collect information about how visitors use this site. Google Analytics collects data such as pages visited, time spent on pages, referring websites, and general geographic location derived from IP addresses. IP addresses are anonymized before storage. Data is processed by Google on servers that may be located in the United States. You can opt out by installing the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on at tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.

#02 · E-commerce site with GDPR consent banner

Input

We run a Shopify store selling outdoor gear. We use Google Analytics 4 with a consent management platform. Analytics only fires after a user accepts cookies. We have a data processing agreement with Google. We need the privacy policy section covering Google Analytics for GDPR compliance, mentioning the DPA and consent basis.

Expected output

We use Google Analytics 4 under a Data Processing Agreement with Google Ireland Limited. Analytics tracking is activated only after you provide explicit consent via our cookie banner. The legal basis for this processing is your consent under Article 6(1)(a) GDPR. Google Analytics collects behavioral and device data to help us understand site usage. You may withdraw consent at any time by updating your cookie preferences. Data may be transferred to Google servers in the United States under Standard Contractual Clauses.

#03 · SaaS startup with marketing site and app

Input

We have a B2B SaaS product. Google Analytics runs on our public marketing pages only, not inside the authenticated app. We use GA4. We store no PII in Analytics. Our users are mostly in the US and Canada. We need a clear disclosure that scopes Analytics to the marketing site only.

Expected output

Google Analytics 4 is used exclusively on our public marketing website (the pages accessible without logging in) to measure traffic and campaign performance. It is not active inside the authenticated product. We do not send personally identifiable information to Google Analytics. Data collected includes session counts, traffic sources, and device categories. Google may process this data on servers located outside Canada. For more information, see Google's privacy policy at policies.google.com/privacy.

#04 · Nonprofit with EU donors needing full GDPR section

Input

We are a UK-registered nonprofit. We use Google Analytics Universal Analytics — we have not migrated to GA4 yet. We collect donations from EU and UK residents. Our legal team flagged that our privacy policy needs a proper data controller versus data processor distinction for Analytics, plus retention periods.

Expected output

We use Google Analytics (Universal Analytics), operated by Google LLC as a data processor on our behalf. As data controller, we have configured a data retention period of 14 months within Google Analytics. Google Analytics collects anonymized usage data including pages viewed, session duration, and referral source. No financial or donation data is passed to Google Analytics. Data may be transferred to the United States under Standard Contractual Clauses. You have the right to object to this processing under UK GDPR Article 21.

#05 · Mobile app with Firebase Analytics (Google Analytics for Firebase)

Input

We have an iOS and Android fitness app. We use Google Analytics for Firebase, not the web version. We need a privacy policy disclosure that is accurate for the Firebase SDK, not web GA. We collect app events and crash data. Users are global.

Expected output

Our app uses Google Analytics for Firebase, provided by Google LLC, to collect app usage events such as screen views, feature interactions, and session data. This service also collects device identifiers and approximate location. Data is transmitted to Google servers and may be processed in the United States. You can limit data collection by enabling 'Limit Ad Tracking' on iOS or opting out of ads personalization in your Android device settings. See Google's Firebase privacy information at firebase.google.com/support/privacy.

Common mistakes to avoid

Copying output without checking your actual settings
AI output uses plausible defaults for data retention, IP anonymization, and transfer mechanisms. These may not match your actual Analytics configuration. Always cross-reference the draft against your Google Analytics Admin panel before publishing, or you risk a policy that misrepresents your real data practices.
Using web Analytics language for a mobile app
Google Analytics for Firebase collects different signals than web GA4 and involves device-level identifiers governed by Apple and Google platform policies. Pasting a web-focused disclosure into a mobile app privacy policy will omit required disclosures about device identifiers and in-app opt-out paths.
Omitting the data processor relationship
GDPR requires you to identify Google as a data processor and reference the legal mechanism for international data transfers, typically Standard Contractual Clauses. Policies that just say 'we use Google Analytics' without naming Google's role fail this requirement and have been cited in regulatory enforcement actions across the EU.
No opt-out mechanism disclosed
Both Google's Terms of Service and most privacy regulations require you to tell users how to opt out of Analytics tracking. Failing to include a link to the browser opt-out add-on or your cookie preference center is an incomplete disclosure even if every other detail is correct.
Treating a disclosure section as a full privacy policy
A Google Analytics disclosure covers one processor. If your site also uses advertising pixels, email marketing tools, or payment processors, those require separate disclosures. Publishing only the Analytics section and calling it a privacy policy leaves you non-compliant for all other data processing your site performs.

Related queries

Frequently asked questions

Is a Google Analytics privacy policy disclosure legally required?

Yes, on two levels. Google's Terms of Service for Analytics explicitly require you to have a privacy policy that discloses your use of Analytics and notifies users about data collection. Separately, GDPR, CCPA, and most other privacy laws independently require disclosure of any third-party data processors you use. Either basis alone is sufficient to make this mandatory.

What exactly does Google Analytics collect that I need to disclose?

At minimum your disclosure should cover: IP addresses (even if anonymized), device and browser type, pages visited, session duration, referral source, and geographic location approximated from IP. GA4 also collects engagement events and may collect user IDs if you implement them. The more specific your disclosure is, the better it holds up to regulatory scrutiny.

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

Under GDPR and the ePrivacy Directive, yes. Google Analytics sets cookies and collects behavioral data, which requires prior informed consent from EU users. Under CCPA the requirement is different — you generally need a 'Do Not Sell' mechanism only if Analytics data is used for advertising. If your audience is purely US-based outside California, a consent banner is not legally required but is still best practice.

What is the difference between a privacy policy for GA4 versus Universal Analytics?

GA4 uses an event-based data model, has a default data retention maximum of 14 months, and is designed around cookieless measurement including modeling for users who decline consent. Universal Analytics used session-based tracking and had different default retention periods. Your disclosure should reflect the actual product you use, including the correct retention period pulled from your Admin settings.

Can I use a free privacy policy generator or do I need a lawyer?

A generator or AI draft is a reasonable starting point for a simple website with straightforward Analytics use. For sites handling sensitive data, serving EU residents at scale, or operating in regulated industries like healthcare or finance, have a lawyer review the output before publishing. The cost of a one-hour legal review is far lower than a GDPR fine or enforcement action.

Where in my privacy policy should the Google Analytics section appear?

Most compliant policies place it under a section titled something like 'Third-Party Services,' 'Analytics,' or 'Cookies and Tracking Technologies.' It should be findable without scrolling through unrelated content. GDPR guidance from several EU data protection authorities specifically recommends structured, layered policies where analytics disclosures are easy to locate.