=== Varde Analytics – Privacy-Friendly, Cookie-Free Analytics ===
Contributors: varde
Tags: analytics, privacy, gdpr, statistics, google analytics alternative
Requires at least: 5.7
Tested up to: 6.8
Requires PHP: 7.4
Stable tag: 1.0.0
License: GPLv2 or later
License URI: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html

Simple, cookie-free website analytics hosted in the EU, with a plain-language AI report of what changed and why.

== Description ==

Varde is a lightweight alternative to Google Analytics. It shows the numbers that matter on one page: visitors, pageviews, top pages, where people come from, countries, devices and goals. An AI analyst sends you a short report in plain language.

* **No cookies.** Varde stores nothing on your visitors' devices and does no fingerprinting, so you don't need a consent banner for it.
* **Hosted in the EU.** Data is stored in Stockholm, Sweden. Visitor IP addresses are never stored.
* **Lightweight.** The script is about 1 KB gzipped and loads with `defer`, so it does not slow your site down.
* **Goals and events.** Outbound links, file downloads, email and phone clicks are counted automatically. WooCommerce purchases are sent as a goal with the order total.
* **Your own visits are skipped.** Logged-in users are not counted unless you turn it on.

This plugin adds the Varde script to your site. You need a Varde account (there is a free plan) to see your stats.

= External service =

This plugin loads a script from `https://vardeanalytics.com/js/script.js`, which sends anonymous pageview and event data (page URL, referrer, screen width and the name of any goal) to `https://vardeanalytics.com/api/event`. No cookies are set and no personal data is stored. Nothing is loaded until you enter a site ID.

* Service: https://vardeanalytics.com
* Privacy policy: https://vardeanalytics.com/privacy
* How Varde handles data: https://vardeanalytics.com/docs/privacy

== Installation ==

1. Install and activate the plugin.
2. Create a free account at https://vardeanalytics.com and add your site.
3. Go to **Settings → Varde Analytics**, paste your site ID and save.
4. Visit your site in a private window (you are not counted while logged in). Your first visit shows up on the dashboard within a few minutes.

== Frequently Asked Questions ==

= Do I need a cookie banner? =

Not for Varde. It sets no cookies and stores nothing on your visitors' devices. Other plugins or embeds on your site may still need one.

= Why don't I see my own visits? =

Logged-in users are skipped by default. Turn on "Logged-in users" in the settings, or test from a private window.

= How do I track WooCommerce sales? =

Keep the WooCommerce option on and add a goal named `purchase` in your Varde dashboard. Each completed order is counted once, with the order total and currency.

= Can I track my own goals? =

Yes. Call `varde('signup')` from any button or form, for example `onclick="varde('newsletter')"`. See https://vardeanalytics.com/docs/events.

= Developers =

Filters: `varde_analytics_should_track` (bool) and `varde_analytics_script_attributes` (array of script tag attributes).

== Changelog ==

= 1.0.0 =
* First release.
