Google is not decommissioning the urchin.js script for Google Analytics this summer, the search engine has announced.

In response to a recent report from Pingdom suggesting that the script will be pulled this year, Brett Crosby of Google stated that the company has "no immediate plans" to do this and stressed that it would give advance notification if it does intend to do so.

Pingdom's research revealed that half of the top 10,000 sites on the web use Google Analytics, although 40 per cent of have not yet migrated to the newer ga.js script, which was launched over a year ago.

The scripts are installed by Google Analytics users for the purpose of tracking activity on their sites.

Writing on the Google Analytics blog, Mr Crosby said that those choosing to make the switch to ga.js will be able to benefit from better namespace safety, automatic HTTPS detection and more customisable code for interactive sites based on the Ajax platform, among other advantages.

"There is no immediate need or requirement to do so. Make the switch to ga.js when it is convenient for you or when you are ready to start taking advantage of the improved functionality," he added.

Living Streams comment: Our recommendation, because of the advanced features in Googel Analytics which are now in their Urchin offering, is to upgrade immediately.  Take any discontinuity on the chin and step up to a much more informed world in terms of how visitors are reacting to your website and hence how to imporve it and your business.