title: Are there any drawbacks of "asynchronous tracking" with Google Analytics?
body: <p>From an <a href="https://stackoverflow.com/questions/374084/does-google-analytics-make-a-major-effect-on-time-to-download-a-static-web-page/376495#376495">old answer</a> I have recently learned that Google Analytics, besides the traditional tracking code, offers so-called <a href="http://code.google.com/apis/analytics/docs/tracking/asyncTracking.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">"asynchronous tracking"</a>. From the documentation, it seems like asynchronous tracking is to be preferred over the traditional tracking:</p>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>Unlike a traditional installation, asynchronous tracking optimizes how browsers load ga.js so its impact on user experience is minimized. It also allows you to put your Analytics snippet higher in the page without delaying subsequent content from rendering.</p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <p>The documentation mentions no drawbacks from using asynchronous tracking, which makes me wonder why this is not the default tracking method. Are there any pitfalls around asynchronous tracking that one should be aware of, or should I go ahead and make the switch on all installations?</p>