8-(anilino)-1-naphthalenesulfonate (ANS) analogs and methods for their use in analyte detection assays are provided. The subject ANS analogs are characterized by having at least one non-hydrogen substituent on their phenyl moiety and producing a reaction product with 3-methyl-benzothiazolinone hydrazone hydrochloride (MBTH) or an analog thereof, e.g. MBTHSB, that exhibits reduced drift. In certain preferred embodiments, the subject ANS analogs are described by formula (I) wherein: n is 1 to 5; and X is a substituent other than H. The subject ANS analogs find use in a variety of applications, particularly in analyte detection assays, such as glucose detection assays.