Google Analytics/Webmaster Tools DIY Alternative

Selected answers from the Dumb SEO Questions Facebook & G+ community.

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  Ed Barnat: How can you use your website log files to augment or replace Google Analytics/Webmaster Tools SEO information. I hear this might be more necessary in the near future as the expanded use of ad blockers like Ublock Origin increase in popularity because they not only block ads but also Google analytics?
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  Suraj Gadage: It's an interesting question. Let me try to answer this to my best abilities. You can't replace Server Logs Analysis Tool with Google Analytics/Webmaster Tools for understanding your user behavior. Rather, we should use Server Logs Analysis Tool in tandem with other tools such as Google Analytics and Webmaster Tools.
  
  Though I would like to point out that you will find data differences between Google Analytics and server-based Web Log Analysis tools because the way both of these tool track visitors data. However, each tool provides a different look at your website and exposes different usage patterns which could help you find more opportunities. So instead of only using one solution, why not use both?
  
  One more thing we can do is send GA tracking data to your web server's log file and combine it with the "extra" reports you get from a web log analysis tool.
  
  Now coming to your second point where usage of Ad Blocking applications like Ublock Origin is becoming popular because they not only block ads but other tracking codes. You are absolutely right about this. This article shows some interesting facts about usage of ad blocking applications. ;
  
  http://blog.pagefair.com/2015/ad-blocking-report/
  
  We all know that the goal of these ad blockers is to have free web and the usage will continue to grow. So you must start analyzing Server Logs to understand your website visitor.