How to Delete an Account from Google Analytics (2020)

*For just the steps on how to delete an account on Google Analytics, you can scroll on past this intro 😉

Being new to having my own blog (as opposed to using a free platform) and having to “build” it from semi-scratch, I anticipate a lot of challenges and learning ahead.

I recently decided to install MonsterInsights, one of the plugins WordPress offers to track website traffic, and ran into a small hurdle.

As I was clicking through the MonsterInsights wizard and got to the website authentication stage to connect Google Analytics to my Ripped Jeans Journey blog, I discovered I already had a Google Analytics account – except it was connected to my inactive free blog on WordPress.com.

Since my free WordPress blog hasn’t been active for about five years, I went down a relatively shallow rabbit hole to find out how to delete it.

Although I don’t consider myself “tech savvy,” I thought I’d document the process in case it could help others who may run into the same issues as I did.

There aren’t too many steps involved at all to delete an inactive account from Google Analytics.

If I can do it, so can you!

NOTE 1: The steps outlined below pertain to deleting an Account from Google Analytics; however, you have the option to keep the account and delete the Property component instead. Deleting the property will delete all the data on your website.

I chose to delete the account as I had no desire to have any record or reminders of my old blog. I wanted to create an account from scratch that was dedicated to Ripped Jeans Journey.

NOTE 2: You can follow the same steps to delete a Property or a View.

How to Delete an Account from Google Analytics

1. To delete an Account in Google Analytics, click Admin found in the left pane of your Google Analytics homepage.

2. You will then be taken to the Admin page showing your Analytics profile comprised of three columns of categories across the top of the page: Account, Property, and View. Since we’re deleting an account, we’ll be working with the first column.

3. Under the Account category, if you have multiple accounts listed, select the appropriate account you wish to delete. (In my case, I only had one account.)

Your screen will look something like this once you select the account you wish to delete.

4. Click “Move to Trash Can” on the top right side of the Account Settings screen.

5. You will then be taken to a page listing the below checklist. It also reminds you to remove the Analytics tracking code from your web pages or app. The account I deleted was the free version of WordPress (WordPress.com), and I didn’t see any tracking codes that required deleting.

• Did you mean to move individual properties or views to the Trash Can instead of the entire account?
• Users with edit access to this account will be notified. We recommend confirming with all other users before moving this account to the Trash Can.
• Don’t forget to remove the Analytics tracking code from your web pages or app.

Here’s an article that explains how to remove the Analytics tracking code from your WordPress footer: https://smallbusiness.chron.com/remove-google-analytics-code-wordpress-footer-44774.html

6. If you’re sure you wish to delete the account, click “Trash account.” Don’t despair if you change your mind. You can restore what you’ve deleted within 35 days.

This is what my Analytics profile looked like after refreshing the page.

7. You will receive an email from Google Analytics letting you know that the deleted account will be permanently deleted in 35 days. So, if you change your mind, you can always restore what you had deleted within that timeframe.

That’s it!

I hope you found this useful.