Results 1 to 4 of 4

Thread: Google Analytics 1/3 of Web Host Stats

  1. #1

    Google Analytics 1/3 of Web Host Stats

    I'm not suprised but when I got my Google Analytics account, the visitor & page views are significantly down on the stats I got from my web host. I guess Google stats are the accurate ones but does anyone know why the host stats are so bloated.

    Examples
    Date Host Visits GA Visit Host pages GA Pages
    May 2 803 254 1862 656
    May 3 607 127 1170 239
    May 4 517 114 1102 333

    The GA code is definitely on all pages as I only have one top level template file and its in there, added at the bottom of the page.

    Many thanks for any suggestions.
    Jeremy
    Children Webmag - Child Care Articles
    Dunstable.tv - Just Dunstable
    Rugged Rhino - Web Marketing & Web Design, Dunstable

  2. #2
    Administrator Chris's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2003
    Location
    East Lansing, MI USA
    Posts
    7,055
    There are a few reasons for this:

    1. Server log files usually report total hits, this means total file requests, not total page views, this can confuse people.

    2. Server log analysis programs sometimes get a "pages" statistic by looking for files with .html extensions (or similar) and seeing how often they're requested. If you use frames or other file extensions or includes this could all end up skewed.

    3. People with javascript turned off, which includes all search engine robots and other robots (like spam bots) will be recorded by your server logs but not by Google.
    Chris Beasley - My Guide to Building a Successful Website[size=1]
    Content Sites: ABCDFGHIJKLMNOP|Forums: ABCD EF|Ecommerce: Swords Knives

  3. #3
    Registered
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    99
    My tests have shown that about 8% to 15% of real surfers have JavaScript turned off. The rest of the page view discrepancy is due to bots. Differences in unique visitor counts can be due to different algorithms.

    Use the server stats for technical analysis: capacity planning, finding 404s or hotlinkers, etc. Use the javascript based stats for financial and marketing analysis.

  4. #4
    Thanks for the answers. I think I've found one of the culprits and that was someone hotlinking some images.
    Jeremy
    Children Webmag - Child Care Articles
    Dunstable.tv - Just Dunstable
    Rugged Rhino - Web Marketing & Web Design, Dunstable

Similar Threads

  1. Review: Google Adsense
    By Chris in forum Advertising Networks
    Replies: 16
    Last Post: 12-02-2017, 02:32 AM
  2. Google Analytics
    By Westech in forum General Management Issues
    Replies: 31
    Last Post: 11-17-2005, 02:01 PM
  3. Google Adesense Channel Stats
    By cameron in forum Advertising & Affiliate Programs
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 04-17-2005, 10:24 AM
  4. Google improve Adsense stats
    By Best.Flash in forum Advertising & Affiliate Programs
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 03-18-2004, 09:35 PM
  5. Local Rank stuff...
    By chromate in forum Search Engine Optimization
    Replies: 41
    Last Post: 02-07-2004, 03:53 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •