Google analytics vs Webmaster tools data
-
Hi
Which is more accurate WT or GA data ?
Since GA reporting a KW (thats very recently fallen from page 1 to 3 hence looking into data to find the cause) in the Organic part of Search tab as having generated just 1 visitor over a month (hence presuming fall could be due to low visits from a page 1 result) whilst under Search Engine Optimisation tab (data sourced from WT i think) its reporting 5 click thrus from 150 impressions over same period resulting in a quite good 3.33% CTR (hence wouldn't expect to be the cause of a fall) and what i would have thought GA would report as 5 visits instead of the 1 they do report !?
The reason im looking for answer in the data is because no on-page has changed and still scoring a grade A and off page metrics have all improved across the board (apart from small drop in majseo's Trust Flow) such as increased links, RD, Citation Flow, Ref Subnets etc etc etc
Cheers
Dan
-
Thanks Guillermo
-
Yes, only organic search results appears
-
Sorry if this is obvious but im just checking:
In the search engine optimisation tab of google analytics i take it that the queries and other info are solely in regard to organic search ?
Im sure thats so but just double checking ??
cheers
dan
-
Unfortunately, I don't think you are able to do that.
I found this link that it might help you a little bit more. See under "Discrepancies in Clicks and Visits":
https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/1034383?hl=en
It's not specifically about Webmaster Tools but it can help you understand this miscorrelation even deeper. I've never been able to equal these numbers but I did manage to reduce the discrepancies to the minimum.
-
Do you know if its possible to look at the instances of the click thrus in GA search engine optimisation tab ? for me it doesnt let me select the keyword to see a line graph of instances, if i could see it then i would be able to correlate the click thrus with the day of the one visit hopefully and hence conclude that the 5 clicks refer to the one visit.
-
From my experience this is probably the case. I saw this miscorrelation a few times but never differing in very high numbers. Also, it could be the case that your GA tracking code is not inside your tag. Is that possible?
I had several clients that were placing the tracking code at the end of the tag. They've all missed visitors that click quickly through pages on their site before the Google Analytics tracking code executes.
-
Hi Guillermo
Thanks for your comments
So are you saying that 5 click thrus being reported by webmaster tools is most likely to be just the one visit ? since GA is showing only 1 visit
Cheers
Dan
-
Hi Dan!
Google Analytics tracks visitors using cookies, not IP addresses. This way, if an impression of your site is clicked more than once in one session (less than 30 minutes) by the same user, it will still count as one visitor for GA.
Hope that helps.
Got a burning SEO question?
Subscribe to Moz Pro to gain full access to Q&A, answer questions, and ask your own.
Browse Questions
Explore more categories
-
Moz Tools
Chat with the community about the Moz tools.
-
SEO Tactics
Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers
-
Community
Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!
-
Digital Marketing
Chat about tactics outside of SEO
-
Research & Trends
Dive into research and trends in the search industry.
-
Support
Connect on product support and feature requests.
Related Questions
-
Important updates on Google Analytics Data Retention and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
Hi Everyone, I'm sure many of you received the email from Google over the past few days with the subject line: [Action Required] Important updates on Google Analytics Data Retention and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). I hope I'm not alone in not knowing what exactly this whole notification was in regards to. I realize it's for Data but are we no longer able to pull stats from the past? If anyone has a "dumbed down" explanation for what this update entails, I would be very interested - I don't want to miss out on any important updates and info, but I'm just not grasping this content. Below is the full email in its entirety for those who are interested as well: Dear Google Analytics Administrator,
Reporting & Analytics | | MainstreamMktg
Over the past year we've shared how we are preparing to meet the requirements of the GDPR, the new data protection law coming into force on May 25, 2018. Today we are sharing more about important product changes that may impact your Google Analytics data, and other updates in preparation for the GDPR. This e-mail requires your attention and action even if your users are not based in the European Economic Area (EEA).
Product Updates
Today we introduced granular data retention controls that allow you to manage how long your user and event data is held on our servers. Starting May 25, 2018, user and event data will be retained according to these settings; Google Analytics will automatically delete user and event data that is older than the retention period you select. Note that these settings will not affect reports based on aggregated data.
Action: Please review these data retention settings and modify as needed.
Before May 25, we will also introduce a new user deletion tool that allows you to manage the deletion of all data associated with an individual user (e.g. site visitor) from your Google Analytics and/or Analytics 360 properties. This new automated tool will work based on any of the common identifiers sent to Analytics Client ID (i.e. standard Google Analytics first party cookie), User ID (if enabled), or App Instance ID (if using Google Analytics for Firebase). Details will be available on our Developers site shortly.
As always, we remain committed to providing ways to safeguard your data. Google Analytics and Analytics 360 will continue to offer a number of other features and policies around data collection, use, and retention to assist you in safeguarding your data. For example, features for customizable cookie settings, privacy controls, data sharing settings, data deletion on account termination, and IP anonymization may prove useful as you evaluate the impact of the GDPR for your company’s unique situation and Analytics implementation.
Contract And User Consent Related Updates
Contract changes
Google has been rolling out updates to our contractual terms for many products since last August, reflecting Google’s status as either data processor or data controller under the new law (see full classification of our Ads products). The new GDPR terms will supplement your current contract with Google and will come into force on May 25, 2018.
In both Google Analytics and Analytics 360, Google operates as a processor of personal data that is handled in the service.
• For Google Analytics clients based outside the EEA and all Analytics 360 customers, updated data processing terms are available for your review/acceptance in your accounts (Admin ➝ Account Settings).
• For Google Analytics clients based in the EEA, updated data processing terms have already been included in your terms.
• If you don’t contract with Google for your use of our measurement products, you should seek advice from the parties with whom you contract.
Updated EU User Consent Policy
Per our advertising features policy, both Google Analytics and Analytics 360 customers using advertising features must comply with Google’s EU User Consent Policy. Google's EU User Consent Policy is being updated to reflect new legal requirements of the GDPR. It sets out your responsibilities for making disclosures to, and obtaining consent from, end users of your sites and apps in the EEA.
Action: Even if you are not based in the EEA, please consider together with your legal department or advisors, whether your business will be in scope of the GDPR when using Google Analytics and Analytics 360 and review/accept the updated data processing terms as well as define your path for compliance with the EU User Consent Policy.
Find Out More
You can refer to privacy.google.com/businesses to learn more about Google’s data privacy policies and approach, as well as view our data processing terms.
We will continue to share further information on our plans in the coming weeks and will update relevant developer and help center documentation where necessary.
Thanks,
The Google Analytics Team6 -
Google Analytics View Filters
Using the same GA property, I would like to set up three filtered views: 1. Tracking across one subdomain and one primary domain (example: shop.example.com & example.com) 2. Track only primary domain (example.com) 3. Track only subdomain (shop.example.com) Can this be achieved by using view filters? If so, how do they need to be set? Also, according to this article: https://moz.com/blog/cross-domain-subdomain-tracking-in-google-analytics, with cross domain tracking, I need to ignore self-referrals, which can only be done at the property level. If set up to ignore example.com referrals, will this cause problems with filter 2 and 3?
Reporting & Analytics | | Evan340 -
What is the best way to embed Google Analytics charts on our site?
We want to build out this functionality so a client can log into our site and view data. I know its possible but I can't find any articles about the steps so that my team can move forward.
Reporting & Analytics | | appbackr0 -
Google Analytics - Still Seeing Keyword Data
Hi, I hope you can answer this question for me, obviously I'm aware of the changes regarding "not provided" in analytics however I am still getting keyword referral data in analytics (not much of course!) in the section Acquisition>Keyword>Organic Can anybody explain why I am still seeing organic keyword data even up until yesterday for the odd term? I cannot find an answer anywhere!!! Many thanks
Reporting & Analytics | | splendidapple1 -
How can I get the Google Analytics advanced segments beta?
Is there a way that I can get access to the Google Analytics new segmenting features? I've been reading about them for some months now, but still nothing in my GA account. Thank you in advance.
Reporting & Analytics | | LinusB0 -
Multiple Domains in Webmaster Tools
Our client has four domains all redirecting to one domain. aquatron.info, www.aquatron.info, and www.aquatronhardwatersolution.com are all set up to redirect to aquatronhardwatersolution.com. I would like to make sure that we are getting the most link juice and that they are set up correctly in Google Webmaster Tools. Any help would be great. Thanks!
Reporting & Analytics | | PolarisWebSEO0 -
What to get from google Webmaster tools?
Hi everyone, I've been doing optimization for our websites and tracking the results regularly but don't really know what the results actually mean. I heard that I need to check the traffic and organic results from Google analytics and Google webmaster tools. Everybody says something and not sure what to do? Is there anyone clarify the SEO process for me - when to do what and why in simplest way? Thanks in advance,
Reporting & Analytics | | WTGEvents0 -
Track image searches on google analytics
How can i track image searches on google analytics? To filter the refferers by image.google or /imgres does not work in new google analytics (and brings an impossibly small number on old GA). also, this would not cover local google image refferers, that don't come from image.google.com. anyone knows how to find image search sources? i haven't found anything helpful in google's documentation or forums. thanks!
Reporting & Analytics | | zeepartner0