How to Delete an Account from Google Analytics: A Definitive Guide

Deleting a Google Analytics account is a decisive action, permanently removing all associated data and preventing future collection. This guide provides a straightforward walkthrough of the deletion process and answers frequently asked questions to ensure a smooth and informed experience.

Deleting Your Google Analytics Account: A Step-by-Step Guide

Here’s how to permanently delete your Google Analytics account. Remember, this action is irreversible, so proceed with caution.

1. Access Google Analytics: Navigate to Google Analytics and sign in with the Google account that has administrative access to the account you wish to delete. This is absolutely critical; you cannot delete an account without the appropriate permissions.

2. Navigate to the Admin Section: Once logged in, look for the Admin gear icon in the bottom left corner of the interface. Click on it. This will take you to the Administration panel.

3. Select the Account: In the Account column (the leftmost column), ensure you’ve selected the correct account you intend to delete. If you have multiple accounts, carefully choose the right one from the dropdown menu. This step is paramount to avoid accidentally deleting the wrong data.

4. Initiate Account Deletion: In the Account column, click on “Account Settings”. This option will take you to a page displaying the details of your account.

5. Move to Trash Can: Scroll down to the bottom of the Account Settings page. You will find a button labeled “Move to Trash Can”. Click this button to start the account deletion process.

6. Confirm Deletion: A warning message will appear, emphasizing that deleting the account is permanent and all associated data will be lost. Carefully read this message. If you are absolutely certain you want to proceed, click the “Move to Trash Can” button again to confirm.

7. Account in the Trash Can: The account is now in the Trash Can. Google Analytics keeps deleted accounts in the Trash Can for 35 days before permanently deleting them. During this period, you have the option to restore the account if you change your mind.

8. Permanent Deletion (Optional): To immediately and permanently delete the account, you need to access the Trash Can. In the Admin panel, in the Account column, you may find a “Trash Can” option (it may be under “Change account settings”.). Click on the account name within the Trash Can and select the “Delete Forever” option. Be absolutely sure you want to do this as it’s irreversible.

That’s it! You have successfully initiated the deletion of your Google Analytics account.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What happens when I delete a Google Analytics account?

When you delete a Google Analytics account, all data associated with it, including historical data, configurations, and user permissions, is scheduled for permanent deletion. The account moves to the Trash Can for 35 days, allowing for potential recovery. After this period, the account and all its data are permanently deleted and cannot be recovered. Website tracking associated with the account will cease immediately.

2. Can I restore a deleted Google Analytics account?

Yes, you can restore a deleted Google Analytics account, but only within the 35-day grace period after it has been moved to the Trash Can. To restore an account, navigate to the Admin section, then to the Trash Can within the Account column. Select the account you want to restore and click the “Restore” option.

3. Who can delete a Google Analytics account?

Only users with “Manage Users and Edit” permissions at the account level can delete a Google Analytics account. This ensures that only authorized individuals can make such a significant change. This is the highest level of access and provides complete control over the account.

4. What is the difference between deleting an account and deleting a property?

Deleting an account removes the entire Google Analytics account, including all associated properties and data. Deleting a property only removes that specific property and its data from the account, leaving the rest of the account intact. Think of the account as the container and the properties as the individual items inside. If you only want to stop tracking a specific website, delete the property.

5. Will my website stop being tracked immediately after deleting the account?

Yes, once the account is deleted (or even moved to the Trash Can), the tracking code on your website will no longer send data to Google Analytics. The reports will no longer update, and you will lose valuable insights into your website traffic and user behavior.

6. What if I accidentally deleted the wrong account?

If you accidentally deleted the wrong account, immediately go to the Trash Can in the Admin section. If it’s within the 35-day grace period, you can restore the account. However, if the 35-day period has passed, the account and its data are permanently lost. This underscores the importance of careful verification before deleting any account.

7. Is it possible to export my data before deleting the account?

Absolutely! It is highly recommended that you export your data before deleting a Google Analytics account. You can export reports in various formats, such as PDF, CSV, TSV, and Google Sheets. This allows you to retain a copy of your valuable data for future analysis or record-keeping. To export, navigate to the reports you wish to save and use the export options provided. You can also use the Google Analytics API to export larger datasets programmatically.

8. Can I delete a property without deleting the entire account?

Yes, you can delete a property within a Google Analytics account without affecting other properties or the account itself. In the Admin panel, select the property you want to delete, go to Property Settings, and click “Move to Trash Can”. This is useful if you only want to remove tracking for a specific website or app.

9. What happens to my Google Ads linked to the deleted Google Analytics account?

If your Google Ads account is linked to the deleted Google Analytics account, the connection will be broken. This will prevent Google Ads from using Google Analytics data for optimization, remarketing, and reporting. You will need to re-link your Google Ads account to another Google Analytics account if you want to continue using these features.

10. Does deleting my Google Analytics account affect my Google account?

No, deleting a Google Analytics account does not affect your overall Google account. Google Analytics is just one of the many services offered by Google, and deleting it only removes your data and access to that specific service. Your email, Google Drive, and other Google services will remain unaffected.

11. Are there alternatives to deleting my Google Analytics account?

Yes, there are alternatives to deleting your account. You could simply stop using the account and leave it inactive. You could also adjust your data retention settings to minimize the amount of data stored. Or, if you only want to stop tracking a specific website, just delete the property associated with that website, instead of the whole account.

12. How can I verify that the account has been completely deleted?

After the 35-day grace period, you can check if the account has been permanently deleted by trying to access it through Google Analytics. If the account has been deleted, you will no longer be able to log in to the account or see any associated data. Furthermore, you will not find it in the Trash Can.