Google Analytics hostname filters can block spam traffic from other sites
Google Analytics now has hostname filters. You can make an approved list of website addresses, and only events from those addresses are counted in your property.
Key facts
- Platform
- Google Analytics
- Do I need to act?
- No, but worth a look
- Deadline
- None
- Who it’s for
- marketers, developers
- Announced
- 21 September 2026
- Source
- support.google.com ↗
What they said
Read the original ↗“Hostname filters”
Why it matters
Spam and fake traffic can land in your reports when someone sends events using your measurement ID from a site that isn't yours. That skews sessions and conversion rates. An include filter means only your own domains count. It also blocks events with an empty hostname, which often points to spam.
Events sent through the Measurement Protocol aren't affected, so server-side tracking keeps working.
What to do
- 1List every domain you trackMarketing or analytics lead
Include your main store, checkout domain and any other sites that share the property before turning a filter on.
- 2Add a hostname include filterMarketing or analytics lead
Set up the filter with that list, then check your real-time report to make sure your own traffic still comes through.
Questions
How do I stop spam traffic in Google Analytics 4?
Use a hostname include filter so only events from domains you approve are counted. It also blocks events with an empty hostname.
Do hostname filters affect Measurement Protocol events?
No. Google says Measurement Protocol events aren't affected by hostname filters.
Found by our AI agent and checked by Peter Screeton, Founder of Create8. He confirmed the original source is genuine and that this summary matches what it said when published.
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