Urchin (software)

{{short description|Discontinued web statistics analysis program}}

{{Use American English|date=August 2017}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2017}}

{{Infobox software

| name = Urchin Software

| logo = Urchin logo.png

| logo size = 135px

| screenshot =

| caption =

| author = Urchin Software Corporation

| developer = Google Inc.

| discontinued = yes

| latest release version = 7.200

| latest release date = {{release date|2012|01|21}}

| operating system =

| programming language =

| genre = Web analytics

| license =

| website = {{URL|http://www.google.com/urchin/index.html}}

}}

Urchin was a web statistics analysis program that was developed by Urchin Software Corporation. Urchin analyzed web server log file content and displayed the traffic information on that website based upon the log data. Sales of Urchin products ended on March 28, 2012.{{cite web|url = http://analytics.blogspot.com/2012/01/end-of-era-for-urchin-software.html|title = The End of an Era for Urchin Software|date = January 20, 2012|first = Paul|last = Muret|publisher = Google Analytics|access-date = April 7, 2012}}

Urchin software could be run in two different data collection modes: log file analyzer or hybrid. As a log file analyzer, Urchin processed web server log files in a variety of log file formats. Custom file formats could also be defined. As a hybrid, Urchin combined page tags with log file data to eradicate the limitations of each data collection method in isolation.{{cite web|url=http://www.advanced-web-metrics.com/blog/2007/10/07/hosted-v-software-v-hybrid-tools/|title=Hosted v Software v Hybrid tools|author=|date=October 7, 2007|website=www.Advanced-Web-Metrics.com|access-date=August 31, 2017}} The result was more accurate web visitor data.{{cite web|url=http://www.advanced-web-metrics.com/blog/2008/02/16/accuracy-whitepaper/|title=Accuracy Whitepaper for web analytics|author=|date=February 16, 2008|website=www.Advanced-Web-Metrics.com|access-date=August 31, 2017}}

Urchin became one of the more popular tools for website traffic analysis, particularly with ISPs and web hosting providers. This was largely due to its scalability in performance and its pricing model.{{cite web|url=https://urchin.biz/urchin-software-corp-89a1f5292999#.c0csw4u5p|title=Urchin Software Corp. – Urchin Software Corp. Vault|author=|date=September 2, 2016|website=Urchin.biz|access-date=August 31, 2017}}

{{pic|Logo of Urchin Software Corporation.svg|Logo of Urchin Software Corporation}}

{{pic|Logo of Urchin (software).svg|Logo of the Urchin software before its acquisition by Google}}

Urchin Software Corp. was acquired by Google in April 2005, forming Google Analytics.{{Cite web|url=http://www.siliconbeat.com/entries/2005/03/28/google_buying_web_analytics_company.html|title=SiliconBeat: Google buying web analytics company|website=www.SiliconBeat.com|access-date=March 8, 2016|archive-date=November 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161109140133/http://www.siliconbeat.com/entries/2005/03/28/google_buying_web_analytics_company.html|url-status=dead}} In April 2008, Google released Urchin 6.{{cite web|url=https://analytics.googleblog.com/2008/04/graduation-day-for-website-optimizer.html|title=Graduation Day for Website Optimizer and Urchin Software!|author=|date=April 2008|website=GoogleBlog.com|access-date=August 31, 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.urchintools.com/urchin6/about-urchin6/urchin-vs-google-analytics|title=Urchin 6 vs. Google Analytics Comparison - Urchin Software Tools|author=|date=|website=www.UrchinTools.com|access-date=August 31, 2017}} In February 2009, Google released Urchin 6.5, integrating AdWords.{{cite web|url=https://analytics.googleblog.com/2009/02/urchin-65-is-now-available.html|title=Urchin 6.5 is now available|author=|date=February 2009|website=GoogleBlog.com|access-date=August 31, 2017}} Urchin 7 was released in September 2010 and included 64-bit support, a new UI, and event tracking, among other features.{{cite web|url=https://analytics.googleblog.com/2010/09/urchin-7-64-bit-released.html|title=Urchin 7 64-bit Released!|author=|date=September 2010|website=GoogleBlog.com|access-date=August 31, 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.google.com/urchin/features.html|title=Google Analytics Solutions - Marketing Analytics & Measurement – Google|author=|date=|website=www.Google.com|access-date=August 31, 2017}}