Google Launches Analytics API

Google announced that its Google Analytics Data Export API beta is now available.

What this means is that Google is enabling developers to extend Google Analytics in new and creative ways by providing a standardized platform for integrating analytics data with their own business data. Developers can integrate Google Analytics into their existing products and create stand-alone applications that they sell. Users could see snapshots of their analytics data in developer-created dashboards and gadgets. And users and business owners will have opportunities to access their Google Analytics information in a variety of new ways.

In a blog post by Nick Mihailovski and the Google Analytics API Team, Mihailovski said:

"The Data Export API is easy to use and provides read-only access to all your Analytics data.  Any data that's available through the standard Analytics web interface is available through the API. The Analytics API is a Google Data API. This is the same API protocol for Google Calendar, Finance and Webmaster Tools.  If you've used any of these APIs, the Google Analytics Data Export API will look very familiar to you.

"For the JavaScript and Java programming languages, we've provided client libraries to abstract and simplify the process. We're also working on supporting more programming languages. In the meantime, for any programming language you want to use you can make requests directly to the API over HTTP and access the data in X M L."

Meanwhile, Google partners are delivering applications that use the API and provide users with access to analytics. For instance, Actual Metrics has released an Android application that allows users to access Google Analytics from their phones. Another partner, Desktop Reporting, enables users to access Google Analytics from their desktops. 

In addition, Mihailovski said, "MailChimp has integrated Google Analytics into their e-mail marketing platform, and ShufflePoint provides a service for adding Google Analytics data into PowerPoint presentations. See how youcalc has created apps that allow you to mash up Google Analytics, AdWords, Salesforce.com and other enterprise data."

Developers can become part of the Google Analytics developer community by joining the Google Analytics APIs Group.