ExactMetrics is a Google Analytics plugin that installs the tracking code on your WordPress site and displays analytics reports directly in your admin dashboard. It handles the technical setup of Google Analytics 4 (GA4), event tracking, and ecommerce tracking without requiring you to modify your theme files or configure Google Tag Manager. The plugin adds a dashboard widget showing key metrics — sessions, page views, bounce rate, and top pages — and provides detailed reports for publishers, ecommerce, search console, and custom dimensions. It’s the primary competitor to MonsterInsights Pro, with which it shares a common origin (ExactMetrics was forked from MonsterInsights). Both plugins offer similar features, but ExactMetrics has a slightly lower price point.
ExactMetrics implements Google Analytics tracking through the Google Data API, caching report data in your WordPress database to reduce API call frequency. It supports custom dimensions for tracking author performance, post types, and categories.
Competitive Features
- One-click analytics setup — connect Google Analytics with site authentication without editing code
- Dashboard reports — overview, publishers, ecommerce, and search console reports in WordPress admin
- Ecommerce tracking — automated WooCommerce and Easy Digital Downloads enhanced ecommerce tracking
- Event tracking — automatic tracking of outbound links, file downloads, and affiliate link clicks
- Form tracking — contact form conversion tracking for WPForms, Gravity Forms, and Contact Form 7
- Custom dimensions — track post authors, categories, tags, and SEO scores as analytics dimensions
- Email summaries — weekly email reports with key metrics and trends sent to your inbox
Key Features
- GA4 integration — full support for Google Analytics 4 properties with automatic configuration
- Dashboard widget — compact summary of your most important metrics on the WordPress dashboard
- Publishers report — per-author and per-category performance data for content analysis
- Landing pages report — see which pages drive the most traffic and conversions
- SEO score tracking — custom dimension for Yoast and Rank Math SEO scores in analytics
- User journey tracking — see which pages visitors view before becoming customers
- Popular posts widget — display your most-viewed content anywhere with a Gutenberg block or widget
Comparison with Competitors
ExactMetrics vs MonsterInsights Pro
| Aspect | ExactMetrics | MonsterInsights Pro |
|---|---|---|
| GA4 support | Yes | Yes |
| Dashboard reports | Overview + detailed | Overview + detailed |
| Ecommerce tracking | WooCommerce + EDD | WooCommerce + EDD |
| Form tracking | WPForms, Gravity, CF7 | WPForms, Gravity, CF7 |
| Custom dimensions | Yes | Yes |
| Email summaries | Yes | Yes |
Bottom line: Both plugins are nearly identical in features and pricing, both forked from the same codebase. The choice comes down to personal preference and existing ecosystem — MonsterInsights has a larger add-on library, while ExactMetrics has slightly better support response times.
ExactMetrics vs Matomo Analytics
| Aspect | ExactMetrics | Matomo Analytics |
|---|---|---|
| Data storage | Google servers | Your own server |
| Privacy compliance | Via consent plugins | Built-in (cookieless) |
| Setup | OAuth connection | Self-hosted installation |
| Reports | In WP admin | In WP admin or Matomo |
| Export | PDF, CSV | PDF, CSV, API |
Bottom line: ExactMetrics is simpler to set up (Google account + API), but your data lives on Google’s servers. Matomo Analytics gives you full data ownership but requires maintaining an analytics server.
Recommended Stack: ExactMetrics tracks your analytics. For SEO optimization based on analytics data, pair with Rank Math SEO to align content strategy with actual traffic performance.
Official Changelog
Version 10.2.0
Release Date: September 3, 2026
- Fixed: Every report view honours the sample-data toggle, so sample rows no longer mix in with your real numbers.
- Fixed: Rows in sample reports no longer link out to live pages.
- Fixed: An expired Google connection now prompts you to reconnect instead of showing a report error.
- Fixed: Dashboard widget shows the upgrade prompt for reports your plan doesn’t include, instead of an error.
- Fixed: Dashboard widget no longer links to reports that have been disabled.
- Fixed: No more false “multiple tracking codes” notice on eCommerce homepages.
- Fixed: Previous-period totals now match the rows the table actually shows.
- Fixed: The AMP addon notice no longer appears on report screens.
Version 10.1.3
Release Date: August 19, 2026
- WordPress 7.1: Popular Posts blocks work in the iframed block editor.
- Fixed: Report tables show row numbers again and the expand arrow is back on the right side.
- Fixed: Report table empty and loading states are centered again.
- Fixed: Older report links no longer land on a blank screen.
- Fixed: Headline Analyzer no longer crashes synced patterns in the block editor.
- Fixed: Setup wizard no longer lands on another plugin’s onboarding screen.
- Fixed: Security hardening for license actions and credential handling.
Version 10.1.2
Release Date: July 29, 2026
- Enhancement: Security hardening across admin and reporting requests.
- Fixed: Charts no longer break when another plugin loads its own copy of ApexCharts.
- Fixed: Reduced admin notification requests that could trip firewall rate limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ExactMetrics free?
The core plugin is free on WordPress.org and includes basic Google Analytics tracking and a dashboard widget. The Pro version adds ecommerce tracking, custom dimensions, form tracking, email summaries, and advanced reports.
Does ExactMetrics work with GA4?
Yes. ExactMetrics fully supports Google Analytics 4 (GA4) properties. The plugin handles the GA4 configuration, data stream setup, and event tracking automatically.
Can I track ecommerce data?
Yes. The Pro version includes enhanced ecommerce tracking for WooCommerce and Easy Digital Downloads. It tracks product views, add-to-cart events, transactions, revenue, and conversion rates without extra configuration.
Does ExactMetrics slow down my site?
No. The tracking code loads asynchronously and doesn’t affect page load time. Report data is cached in your WordPress database and refreshes on a schedule, not on every page view.
How do I connect Google Analytics?
ExactMetrics provides a one-click connection through OAuth authentication. You authorize the plugin to access your Google Analytics data, select the analytics property to track, and the plugin handles the rest automatically.
Leave a Reply