=== Burst Statistics - Privacy-Friendly WordPress Analytics (Google Analytics Alternative) ===
Contributors: hesseldejong, RogierLankhorst, sh4lin, parthnvaswani
Donate link: paypal.me/Burststatistics
Tags: analytics, statistics, stats, privacy, GDPR
Requires at least: 6.6
License: GPL2
Requires PHP: 8.0
Tested up to: 6.9
Stable tag: 3.3.0

Analytics you'll actually use. Privacy-friendly, zero config, and designed to be actionable. Get insights, not just raw data.

== Description ==

= Finally, analytics that you'll actually use. =

Google Analytics is overkill. Other WordPress statistics plugins are cluttered and confusing. You just want to know what's happening on your site - without a data science degree.

Burst Statistics gives you a clean, intuitive analytics dashboard focused on the metrics that actually matter. **No external accounts. No complex setup. Install, activate, and understand your traffic in seconds.**

Trusted by **200,000+ WordPress sites**. Built by the experienced team behind UpdraftPlus, WP-Optimize, and All-In-One Security.

= What our users are saying =

> "Finally, an analytics plugin I can actually explain to clients."
> — @anguskeystone on wordpress.org

> "I tried WP Statistics and Independent Analytics, but they're overloaded and confusing. Burst's UI is intuitive and focused on what matters to me."
> — @vallered on wordpress.org

= Why Burst Statistics? =

**Designed to be actionable**
Other analytics plugins throw everything at you. Burst shows what matters — visitors, pageviews, referrers, top pages — in a dashboard you'll actually use. No overload of data. No confusing menus.

**Privacy-first by design**
All statistics stay on your server. No external tracking. Your data is yours - we never see it without your explicit permission.

**Zero setup friction**
Install, activate, done. No Google accounts, no tracking codes, no configuration headaches. Start seeing live visitors immediately.

**Built for WordPress**
Not a port from another platform. Designed specifically for WordPress with native performance and seamless integration.

**Fast and lightweight**
Optimized database queries, no bloated scripts (<4kb tracking script), no external dependencies slowing down your pages. Designed to track accurately even when using aggressive server-side caching.

= Features =

**Understand your traffic**

* View table of top performing pages and posts
* Track key metrics (Visitors, Sessions, Pageviews, Bounce Rate)
* Breakdown of visitors by device (Desktop, Tablet, Mobile)
* Filter data by custom date ranges
* Compare traffic over time

**Real-time analytics**

* Identify the real-time source for live visitors
* View the specific pages users are visiting now
* See a live count of active users on your site

**See what content performs**

* Top pages and posts ranked by views
* Compare any date range
* Track individual page performance

**Custom conversion tracking**

* Track views, clicks and hooks
* Track WooCommerce sales
* Track custom events or hooks

**Privacy without compromise**

* 100% self-hosted — all statistics stored locally in your WordPress database
* Cookieless tracking option (no consent banner required in some countries)
* Designed to support GDPR, CCPA, DSGVO, AVG, RGPD, and PECR compliance

**Stay informed**

* Weekly or monthly email reports delivered to your inbox
* Compare periods to spot trends
* Get notified when tracking does not work

= From the creators of UpdraftPlus, WP Optimize and All In One Security =
Burst Statistics was created by experienced developers who also created:
* [UpdraftPlus: WP Backup & Migration Plugin](https://wordpress.org/plugins/updraftplus/)
* [All-In-One Security (AIOS) – Security and Firewall](https://wordpress.org/plugins/all-in-one-wp-security-and-firewall/)
* [WP-Optimize – Cache, Compress images, Minify & Clean database to boost page speed & performance](https://wordpress.org/plugins/wp-optimize/)

= Who is Burst for? =

* **Bloggers & content creators** — See which posts resonate with your audience
* **Small business owners** — Understand your traffic without complexity
* **WooCommerce stores** — Track visitor behavior and sales (Burst Pro - Business plan)
* **Agencies & freelancers** — Manage analytics for your clients (Burst Pro - Agency plan)
* **Privacy-conscious site owners** — GDPR-compliant stats without consent banners
* **Anyone tired of Google Analytics** — Get clarity instead of confusion

Unlock comprehensive insights into your website’s user behaviour with Burst Pro. Benefit from advanced features designed to improve performance, boost engagement, and drive conversions. [Get Burst Pro now.](https://burst-statistics.com/pricing/)

= Free vs Pro =

**Burst Statistics (Free)** includes everything you need to understand your website traffic: visitors, pageviews, referrers, top content, device stats, goal tracking, email reports, and more.

**Burst Pro** adds advanced features for businesses and professionals:

CREATOR PLAN
* UTM campaign tracking — See which marketing efforts drive results
* Geographic data — Country and city-level visitor insights
* Advanced filtering — Segment data by any dimension
* Data archiving settings — Keep your database lean automatically
* Priority support — Direct contact with our developers (You'll speak to actual humans!)

BUSINESS PLAN
* Everything in the creator plan +
* Full sales dashboard — Understand what content brings in the most revenue
* Revenue attribution — Connect WooCommerce sales to traffic sources

AGENCY PLAN
* Everything in the business plan +
* Reporting — Generate shareable reports

All Burst Pro plans include **priority support**.  You'll have direct contact with our developers (You'll speak to actual humans!)


= Learn More =

* [Burst Statistics vs Google Analytics](https://burst-statistics.com/burst-statistics-vs-google-analytics/)
* [Privacy & GDPR Compliance](https://burst-statistics.com/why-is-burst-privacy-friendly/)
* [Burst Pro Pricing](https://burst-statistics.com/pricing/)

= Privacy and Data Sharing =
Burst Statistics includes an **optional** data sharing program. It is disabled by default. You can enable it under Burst Statistics → Settings → Data Sharing, and you can turn it off again at any time from the same location.
When enabled, the plugin sends a small set of aggregated, anonymized metrics to Burst Statistics' servers once per month. This includes traffic statistics (visitors, pageviews, bounce rate, session duration), database row counts and query performance timings. No personal data, IP addresses, domain names, or visitor information is ever transmitted. All data is aggregated on your server before it leaves, making it impossible to trace back to your website or any individual user.

We use this data to:
* build anonymous industry benchmarks so you can compare your site's performance against peers;
* understand which features are most used, so we can prioritize development effectively;
* know which WordPress and PHP versions are in active use, so we can make informed support decisions;
* identify slow database queries across real-world installs, so we can improve plugin performance for everyone.

For the complete list of data fields collected and full details on how the data is used, please read our [Data Sharing Policy](https://burst-statistics.com/how-we-handle-anonymous-usage-data/).
This feature connects to: https://api.burst-statistics.com

= Installation =
1. Go to **Plugins → Add New** in your WordPress dashboard
2. Search for **Burst**
3. Click **Install Now**, then **Activate**
4. Visit **Statistics → Dashboard** to see your analytics

That's it. No external accounts. No tracking codes to paste. Burst starts collecting statistics immediately.

== Frequently Asked Questions ==
= Is Burst really free? =
Yes. Burst Statistics is 100% free with no tracking limits. Pro is optional for users who need advanced features like UTM tracking, revenue attribution, geographic data or reporting. That's how we can keep Burst Statistics Free for most users.

= Where is the data stored? =
All statistics are stored in your own WordPress database. Unlike Google Analytics or cloud-based tools, we have zero access to your data. Your data never leaves your server, unless you manually opt in to share anonymous usage insights with us.

= Is Burst a good Google Analytics alternative? =
Yes. If you find GA4 too complex or are concerned about sending visitor data to Google, Burst is the perfect replacement. You get the statistics you actually need - visitors, referrers, top pages, conversions - without the overwhelm.

= Do I need an account? =
No, you don’t need an account; no data is sent to another website.

= Is there a limit to the number of visitors I can track? =
No, there is no limit. The only limiting factor is your own database and server.

= Does Burst Statistics use cookies? =
There is an option to use cookieless tracking if you prefer. But by default, Burst uses cookies because they are more accurate and lightweight. While using cookies, Burst remains privacy-friendly because all data is anonymous and stored on your server. Read more about [why cookies are misunderstood](https://burst-statistics.com/why-is-burst-privacy-friendly/#misunderstood-cookies).

= What is Cookieless tracking? =
Burst Statistics can be used without setting cookies or storing data in browsers. However, this can affect accuracy, so a hybrid option with cookies after consent is possible. Read more about [Cookieless tracking](https://burst-statistics.com/definition/what-is-cookieless-tracking/).

= Why is Burst Statistics Privacy-Friendly? =
Burst Statistics provides an Analytics Dashboard with anonymised data that is yours and yours alone. Read more about [Why Burst Statistics is Privacy-Friendly](https://burst-statistics.com/why-is-burst-privacy-friendly/).

= How is Burst different from WP Statistics or Independent Analytics? =
Burst focuses on clarity over quantity. While other plugins can feel cluttered and overwhelming, Burst's dashboard is designed to show you what matters without the noise. Users consistently mention our clean, intuitive interface as the reason they switched.

= Can I use Burst alongside Google Analytics? =
Yes. Many users run both during a transition period or keep GA4 for historical data while using Burst for daily insights. There's no conflict.

= Does Burst Statistics slow down my website? ? =
No. Burst is built for performance with optimized database queries, minimal tracking scripts, and Turbo Mode if speed is more important than accuracy. Your site stays fast.

= Does Burst work with WooCommerce? =
Yes. Basic pageview tracking works in the free version. For revenue tracking, product analytics, and sales attribution, you'll need Burst Pro.

= How do I migrate from another analytics plugin? =
Install and activate Burst — it starts tracking immediately. Historical data from other plugins can't be imported, but you can run both side-by-side during a transition period.

= Is it possible to install Burst Statistics with Composer? =
Absolutely! Both free and premium plugins can be managed with Composer. Read the [documentation](https://burst-statistics.com/installing-burst-statistics-with-composer/) for more information.

= Can I give feedback about the plugin? =
We value your feedback. You can [submit a support request on the WordPress forums](https://wordpress.org/support/plugin/burst-statistics/), and we will respond promptly.

== Change log ==
= 3.3.0 =
* April 1st 2026
* New: Dark mode support for email reports.
* Improvement: Move columns from statistics to sessions table, reducing data storage and improving query performance.
* Improvement: Session data included in archive CSV exports.
* Improvement: Add missing database indexes for improved performance.
* Security: Share link viewers could view report data (recipient email addresses, scheduling configuration). Props Sanjay Singh Jhala.
* Security: Share link viewers could view ecommerce/sales data, even when the share link was scoped to non-sales tabs only. Props Sanjay Singh Jhala.
* Fix: Insights chart grouping by month was incorrect.
* Fix: Cron URL protocol mismatch could cause a http link to be included in the email report, even when the site url is https..
* Fix: Filter type issue breaking the filtering on the devices block, props Andrew.
* Fix: Duplicate key error in SQL hash update query.
* Fix: Email report logo centering and dark mode styling.
* Fix: A burst test hit could be used to bypass the built-in IP block, props Sanjay Singh Jhala.

= 3.2.3 =
* March 12th 2026
* Fix: share link for non logged in users not loading page.

= 3.2.1 =
* March 9th 2026
* Security fix: Fixed a missing authorization check that allowed users with Burst View privilege to manage reports. Props Sanjay Singh Jhala.
* Improvement: set turbo default to enabled, and add notice to recommend enabling it when cookieless tracking is enabled.
* Improvement: check if PharData class is installed on the server to prevent fatal errors.
* Fix: Store scheme for usage during cron jobs. During cron, the site_url is http. For the javascript generation, we need it to reflect the actual scheme, usually https.
* Fix: duplicate fields in the reporting settings when the share link is opened by an admin user.
* Fix: url not found warning when classic premium report is generated.
* Fix: too strict use of sanitizers causing table prefixes to get lowercase. props @parkentosh

= 3.2.0 =
* February 25rd 2026
* New: anonymously share data to help us improve Burst Statistics: build industry benchmarks, targeted feature development, and performance improvements.
* New: add notice about discord, inviting users to join our discord server.
* New: Easily share statistics with your team or clients, with the share button in the Burst Statistics dashboard.
* Fix: catch non json encoded data in Rest API tracking, props @rajkumarreddyv
* Fix: Bounce and bounce rate calculations now correctly count distinct bounced sessions instead of summing bounce flags, preventing inflated numbers.
* Fix: default value logic for 'merge variables and scripts' made it impossible to disable the setting.

= 3.1.6 =
* January 20th 2026
* Fix: deleting old data in archive functionality not working due to incorrect SQL syntax.
* Fix: Not filtering browser/OS data by device on the insights block, props @alisontaylorbc.
* Improvement: add automated test for data deletion.
* Improvement: add persistent sorting to datatable block, props @ankush.
* Improvement: filtering by continent.

= 3.1.5 =
* January 7th 2026
* Improvement: auto close notices in the right bottom of the screen.
* Improvement: some minor mobile responsiveness improvements.
* Improvement: extend automated tests with live visitors test.
* Improvement: wrapping of long URLs in live visitors view.
* Improvement: extended PHPCS coverage.
* Fix: when the browser's local storage is full, adding filters could cause an error.
* Fix: enforce https on combined variables and scripts URL, to prevent mixed content warnings.
* Fix: onboarding for RTL languages tried to load non existing RTL CSS file.

= 3.1.4 =
* December 23rd 2025
* Improvement: styling of datatable blocks and loading states.
* Improvement: referrer query performance improvements.
* Improvement: parameter query performance improvements.
* Improvement: exclude track hit over Rest Api from the Burst Rest Api Optimizer, this way all plugins are loaded during the hit, which is required for hook goals.
* Improvement: added fallback to default method for combine variables and scripts, in case the uploads directory is not writable.
* Improvement: the 'cron not running' notice not dismissible anymore, as it is a critical issue.
* Improvement: allow search for formatted data on datatables, e.g. you can now search for 'United States' instead of US on the locations datatable.
* Improvement: add parameter filtering.
* Fix: filtering on devices block.

= 3.1.0.3 =
* December 1st
* Fix: saving settings changes after saving initial changes required a reload.
* Performance: Performance improvements by offloading resource greedy processes during tracking to cron in batches
* Improvement: User Agent Parser improvements, removing invalid browsers
* Fix: dropdown for advanced filters not filtering the list.
* Fix: undefined tab caused by incomplete removal of sales menu when no WooCommerce or EDD detected.
* Fix: object caching on page counts causing slow update of page counts, props @fveits

= 3.0.2 =
* November 25th 2025
* Fix: some notices were incorrectly dismissed during validation.
* Improvement: added automated test for hook goals.
* Improvement: added automated test for archiving restoration.

= 3.0.0 =
* November 11th 2025
* Fix: compability with unknown plugin, allowing null value in get_timerange_dropdown() on WooCommerce products overview, props @tegid
* Fix: do not treat www and non www domains as different domains, when detecting multiple domains setup.
* Fix: remove obsolete slash in loading of goals script, which on some setups causes it to get blocked, props @jhndkrvzc
* Fix: top bar count did not show the 'k' for thousands, 'M' for millions, etc, only showing 1, instead of 1k.
* New: increase minimal required versions for PHP to 8.0, for WordPress to 6.4

= 2.2.9.3 =
* Fix: some css styling fixed.

= 2.2.9.2 =
* Improvement: css change to ensure Burst icon aligned correctly in menu
* Improvement: remove obsolete log line
* Improvement: remove upgrader_process_complete hook to handle upgrades
* Improvement: removed some obsolete files

= 2.2.9.1 =
* Improvement: Date range selection option in pages and posts overview screen options.
* Fix: issue in onboarding wizard data storing.

= 2.2.9 =
* Fix: move the code directory from /src to /includes, because otherwise javascript files are not scanned for translations by WordPress

= 2.2.8 =
* New: improved library for cookieless tracking.
* New: entry/exit pages filter
* Improvement: added fallback database upgrade mechanism in case the normal upgrade didn't fire.
* Improvement: dismissal of PHP notice.

= 2.2.7 =
* New: Detailed live visitors tab
* Improvement: responsiveness on mobile, restored 1280px breakpoint
* Improvement: suspicious data (over 1000 visits from 1 user) is now only detected and the admin notified, not automatically removed.
* Fix: on multisite with Burst network activated, the endpoint incorrectly did not detect Burst as active, which prevents tracking from occuring.

= 2.2.6.1 =
* Fix: remove false positive notice about missing tables.

= 2.2.6 =
* Improvement: pass post_id to javascript using a data attribute in the body element, to improve accuracy of the page specific pageviews.
* Improvement: dropped usage of the imprecise post_meta pageviews metric entirely.
* Improvement: made it possible to track hook goals with cookieless tracking.
* Improvement: migrated all remaining css to tailwind css.
* Fix: Group by on parameters overview should group by combination of parameter and value.

== Upgrade notice ==
* Please backup before upgrading.

== Screenshots ==
1. Burst Statistics: Analytics Dashboard
1. Dashboard: Clean and easy-to-read overview
2. Insights: See exactly how your website performs
3. Sources: Analyze where your visitors come from (Burst Pro)
4. Settings: Simple options, no coding required.