How does google analytics collect its data?

Question

Yes, I know you have to embed the google analytics javascript into your page.

But how is the collected information submitted to the google analytics server?

Answer 1

It's easy enough to tell by using something like Firebug's Net tab.

Ajax isn't needed - since data isn't being fetched from Google. They just encode the information in a query string, and then load a transparent gif using it.