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How SiteStats Uses Your Google Data

Last updated: 10 December 2025

This page explains how the SiteStats WordPress plugin (“SiteStats”) uses data obtained through Google APIs, including Google Analytics 4 (GA4) and Google Search Console. It is intended to provide transparency for users and to assist with Google OAuth app verification.

1. Overview #

SiteStats allows you to view analytics from Google services directly inside your WordPress dashboard. To do this, SiteStats uses secure OAuth 2.0 authentication to request read-only access to your analytics data. SiteStats does not modify, delete, or create data in your Google accounts.

2. Google APIs and Scopes Used #

SiteStats may request access to the following Google APIs and scopes when you connect your account:

2.1 Google Analytics 4 (GA4) #

API: Google Analytics Data API (GA4)

Typical scope:

  • https://www.googleapis.com/auth/analytics.readonly — read-only access to your analytics data.

SiteStats uses this scope to:

  • Retrieve website traffic and session metrics
  • Retrieve page views, events, and conversions
  • Retrieve traffic source information (e.g., channels, referrers, campaigns)
  • Display charts, tables, and dashboards in your WordPress admin

2.2 Google Search Console #

API: Google Search Console API

Typical scope:

  • https://www.googleapis.com/auth/webmasters.readonly — read-only access to your Search Console data.

SiteStats uses this scope to:

  • Retrieve search queries (keywords)
  • Retrieve clicks, impressions, CTR, and position metrics
  • Display search performance metrics per page or URL
  • Show SEO trends inside your WordPress dashboard

3. Why SiteStats Needs This Access #

SiteStats requests only the minimum scopes necessary to provide analytics dashboards within WordPress. These scopes are required in order to:

  • Fetch your GA4 reports and metrics for display inside WordPress
  • Fetch Search Console data so you can see your search performance
  • Build charts, tables, and summaries of your website performance
  • Allow you to filter and customize reports without visiting external interfaces

SiteStats does not request write, delete, or administrative scopes. All access is read-only and used solely for the purpose of displaying analytics information to you.

4. How SiteStats Uses and Processes Google Data #

SiteStats uses data from Google APIs to:

  • Generate visual charts and graphs
  • Summarise key metrics (traffic, conversions, search performance, etc.)
  • Provide custom dashboards and widgets in your WordPress admin

SiteStats does not:

  • Use your Google data for advertising or user profiling
  • Sell or rent your Google data to third parties
  • Use your Google data outside of the context of analytics reporting for your site

5. Where and How Your Data Is Stored #

By default, SiteStats processes and stores data locally on your WordPress site. This typically includes:

  • Cached analytics results for faster dashboard loading
  • Configuration and settings (e.g., selected properties, filters, widgets)
  • OAuth tokens required to connect to Google APIs

Cached analytics data is stored in your WordPress database (for example, in options, transients, or custom tables). OAuth tokens are stored securely and, where possible, in encrypted form.

SiteStats does not, by default, send your analytics data to external servers controlled by us. If future optional cloud features are introduced, they will be clearly documented and require explicit opt-in.

6. Data Sharing and Human Access #

SiteStats does not share your Google data with third parties except in the following limited cases:

  • When you explicitly grant temporary access to your WordPress admin to our support team for troubleshooting purposes.
  • When required by law, regulation, or legal process.

Human access to your Google data is limited and only permitted:

  • With your explicit consent (for example, during support sessions)
  • To investigate security issues or abuse, with your knowledge
  • To comply with applicable law

7. Compliance with Google API Services User Data Policy #

SiteStats’ use and transfer of information received from Google APIs will adhere to the Google API Services User Data Policy, including the Limited Use requirements.

In particular, SiteStats:

  • Only uses Google data to provide analytics functionality requested by the user.
  • Does not use Google data for serving ads or for ad personalization.
  • Does not sell or transfer Google data to third parties, except as required for compliance or with user consent.
  • Restricts human access to Google data as described in Section 6 above.

8. Revoking Access and Managing Your Data #

You can revoke SiteStats’ access to your Google data at any time by:

  • Disconnecting GA4 or Search Console from the SiteStats settings in your WordPress admin.
  • Removing SiteStats’ access from your Google Account permissions page.
  • Deactivating and deleting the SiteStats plugin from your WordPress site.

Once access is revoked or the plugin is uninstalled, SiteStats will no longer be able to request new data from Google APIs. You may also remove any cached data by clearing SiteStats caches or removing the plugin’s stored options from your WordPress database.

9. More Information #

For more information about how SiteStats handles data in general (including non-Google data), please see our Privacy Policy.

If you have any questions about how SiteStats uses your Google data, please contact us:

SiteStats Support
Email: info@sitestatswp.com
Website: https://sitestatswp.com
Support Page: https://sitestatswp.com/support

Updated on December 10, 2025
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