On Tuesday, Nick Mihailovski and the Google Analytics API Team posted in the official Google Analytics blog that the search company has launched a "widely anticipated" new feature - you guessed it - a Google Analytics API.
Now open to public testing is the new Google Analytics Data Export API beta - developers and Analytics users in general can extend the platform in "new and creative ways," according to Mihailovski.
Well - first thing's first. How does the Google Analytics Data Export API work?
"The Data Export API is easy to use," Mihailovski explains, "and provides read-only access to all your Analytics data."
So basically, this new API houses and displays all of the same Google Analytics... analytics as the original web-based interface. No tricks up the platform sleeves, just simple accessibility.
As far as programming languages go, JavaScript and other Java programming languages are equipped with client libraries. Support for additional languages sounds like it's on its way - but until then, Mihailovski commented that "for any programming language you want to use you can make requests directly to the API over HTTP and access the data in XML."
Second - the benefits. It seems that the Google Analytics APi stands to affect a three-fold audience: developers, companies, and end users alike.
developers can incorporate Google Analytics into new applications and preexisting products.
large companies can make use of the standardized platform, and easily integrate Google Analytics with their business data.
end users can use third-party dashboards and other widgets to view Analytics data "snapshots."
And now, a benefit for all three - a bunch of new ways to access your Google Analytics information.
By phone: Actual Metrics has released an application for Android - the software run on Google's mobile device, the G1.
By desktop: How about accessing Analytics from your desktop? Desktop-Reporting has a service called Polaris, compatible with Windows, Mac or Linux and free for download.