[Website Improvement] Add GDPR compliant tracking tool to track documentation and tutorial metrics

[stacristo]

I recognized that we currently do not have any data regarding how users use the documentation and tutorial. I would like to propose using GPDR compliant tools to get the data regarding the statistics of the documentation and tutorial, which will be insightful for us, especially in how users use the ESMValTool documentation and tutorial.

I have compiled a list of the tools which can be seen below:

1. Statcounter
2. Clicky
3. Matomo
4. Oribi
5. Fathom Analytics

[zklaus]

Interesting idea! We should look at that both from the @ESMValGroup/userengagementteam and @ESMValGroup/technical-lead-development-team perspective.

[bouweandela]

Good idea. In the IS-ENES3 project I was also asked to provide statistics for the number of visitors to https://esmvaltool.dkrz.de/shared/esmvaltool/v2.4.0/ and I couldn't.

[bouweandela]

@stacristo Would you be able to provide some information on the pros and cons of the different services? And why these and e.g. not something mainstream google analytics?

[stacristo]

@bouweandela I can compile a table of pros and cons for each provider and add it to the post above, but as an introduction the main difference will be the price and interface. Google aanalytics is definitely the most known one. However I do not know how it suits our needs as it might not comply to the GDPR regulations, which the ones listed do comply with GDPR.

[bouweandela]

Instead of compiling your own list, maybe you could refer us to an existing overview? That would save you some time.

[stacristo]

Here are the two references I used and each individual site, which is linked also:

• https://www.leadfeeder.com/blog/google-analytics-alternatives/
• https://blog.runcloud.io/google-analytics-alternatives/