<b>SOP 14: The Analytics Handshake (do this before the LOI, not after)</b>

<b>SOP 14: The Analytics Handshake (do this before the LOI, not after)</b>

Never take a seller's traffic screenshots as fact. Verify read-only access first.

— Step 1: Request <i>Viewer</i> access to GA4 and Search Console using your own Google account. PASS = you logged in yourself. FAIL = they email you a PDF.
— Step 2: Cross-check the GA4 property ID against the live site's gtag. PASS = IDs match. FAIL = wrong property, walk.
— Step 3: Pull last 24 months, not 12. PASS = no single un-explained 40%+ month. FAIL = ask for the cause in writing.
— Step 4: Confirm Search Console domain property covers the exact apex you're buying. PASS = property = purchased domain.
— Step 5: Export the raw data to your own CSV before any deeper talk.

If you cannot self-verify access, treat all revenue claims as zero.

Save this — run it every deal.