Google Is My Friend - Is It Yours?

I don't know about you, but Google is my friend. Google is always there when I need it, that is, unless my Internet is down, but Google can't help that.

All I have to do is go to Google and search for something, and there it is. A few days ago, we had issues with the DH's computer, an old Windows 98 which he prefers not to part with despite my many pleadings. Anyway, we had loaded some new anti virus software and the RAM couldn't handle it. How did we know? It took about 45 minutes for the desktop to show up, then before we could do anything, the monitor shut off.

So, we were in a bind. How could we get the software out when the computer wouldn't let us do anything? I couldn't remember how to get to Safe Mode, but Google knew. I went to my own computer, typed in How to get Safe Mode in Windows 98, and there were all the instructions clear as day and they worked! We got into the Control Panel, the Add/Remove Programs, removed the software, and got out. The computer is working fine again.

Google tells me other things, also. When I type in my name, it gives me a list of where I am on the Internet, along with email alerts. That comes in handy, especially when I find out I'm in spots I didn't know I was in.

I also use Google Analytics to figure out how many people visit my blogs. Oh, you may have guessed it, Blogger which runs my blogs is run by Google.

Yes, Google is my friend. Is it yours, too? What does Google do for you?

Tracking - How do you keep track or don't you?

If you have a blog, it's a good idea to know how many people are reading it. You can do this by installing a tracker which will tell you how many hits you're getting. Some popular trackers are stat counter and site meter, as well as the one I use, which is Google Analytics.

This tracker can be visible or invisible, depending on which you prefer. If you're a beginner or someone who doesn't expect high traffic on your blog, you may want to keep the stats to yourself. Vice versa, if you're proud of the amount of readers you pull in, you may wish to advertise.

Since I'm still building the following on my personal blog here, I don't share my results. Although other people can't see them, I can access these results by going to Google Analytics and checking my report. I also own group blogs at http://acmeauthorslink.blogspot.com/ and http://makeminemystery.blogspot.com/, which I track at Analytics.

For tracking to be effective, it's best to check the results each day. I use a small spiral notebook to mark them down. I include the date, the amount of visits and how many visitors. Visits and visitors can be different, since sometimes people visit the blog more than once. I also filter out my own IP number, so that my visits back and forth to my blog are not counted in the mix. To find your IP number, you can go to http://www.myipaddress.com/.

For the dates I have higher results than the others, I write down the blog's subject line in my notebook. That way I can keep track of which topics produce the most results, so I can blog about similar topics later and hopefully get good responses.

If you don't track your blog hits and you're serious about blogging, I advise you to get started.

If you do track, which tracker do you use? How do you keep score? Please share.