Simple Analytics FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Simple Analytics: events, cookies, privacy, data retention, and quotas.
Does Simple Analytics use cookies?
No. Simple Analytics is completely cookie-free. Visitor identification relies on a browser fingerprint hash generated from non-identifying attributes (screen size, timezone, language, and platform). This hash cannot be reversed to identify an individual.
Does it store my visitors' IP addresses?
No. IP addresses are used only to resolve approximate geolocation (country, region, city) via an external API. The IP address is never stored in the analytics database. Geolocation results are cached by an IP hash for up to 24 hours, then automatically deleted.
Where is the data stored?
All analytics data is stored on servers located in the European Union, in compliance with GDPR requirements.
What counts as an event?
A pageview, link click, and exit click each count as one event. Time on page and scroll depth are sub-events linked to pageviews and do not count toward your monthly quota. Bot visits are also counted as events.
What happens when I exceed my event quota?
Events that exceed your monthly allocation may be dropped until the next billing cycle. Your existing data remains accessible. On paid plans, you can purchase additional events without upgrading.
Can I purchase more events?
Yes. On paid plans (Pro, Plus, Ultra), you can purchase additional event packs without changing your subscription. Check your account panel for available options.
How long is my data retained?
Data retention depends on your plan:
| Plan | Retention |
|---|---|
| Free | 3 months |
| Pro | 1 year |
| Plus | 3 years |
| Ultra | 5 years |
Data beyond the retention period is automatically and permanently deleted.
Is the realtime chart available on all plans?
No. The live realtime chart showing today's visits by traffic source is available on Pro, Plus, and Ultra plans. Free plan users see historical data only.
How does bot detection work?
The system checks the visitor's user agent against over 95 known bot patterns, including search engine crawlers (Googlebot, Bingbot), AI bots (GPTBot, Claude), SEO tools (Semrush, Ahrefs), and social media crawlers. Detected bots are tracked separately and do not mix with human visitor data. Bot monitoring details are available on Plus and Ultra plans.
How are traffic sources classified?
Visits are classified into channels based on the referrer URL:
- Direct: No referrer or referrer is the same domain.
- Search: Referrer matches known search engines (Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, etc.).
- Social: Referrer matches social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.).
- Internal: Referrer is from the same site.
- LLM: Referrer matches AI/LLM platforms (ChatGPT, Perplexity, etc.).
- Referral: Any other referrer.
Do I need to install anything on my WordPress site?
The RakuWP plugin automatically embeds the tracking snippet on your site when you enable Simple Analytics from the panel. No additional plugin installation is needed.
Can I export my analytics data?
Custom data exports are available on Plus and Ultra plans.