Google as referring domain

[accessKellyOCG]

Hi all,

a colleague asked a question, which I could not answer (never even noticed this "problem")

When we are logged into our GA account and go the referring domains section, we find Google. I always thought that these visitors came via Google Image Search, but not all of them do.

Most of them come via "/imgres", but some come via "/" (always thought that "/" was the homepage?), "/url" and "//"

Maybe I am just stupid, but honestly I could not explain what these strings mean... or how these visitors landed on our site...

Can you help me???

[Mike_Davis]

Considering that (not provided) comprises 75% of my search queries, do you really think that Google will be transparent with this?

[accessKellyOCG]

Hi Mike,

before I posted my question I searched on Google concerning this topic and read your quote.

It helps, but I would like to know the exact Google "source" these referrals come from...

/imgres = Google Image Search

/ = ?

// = ?

/url = ?

but thanks for your effort

[Mike_Davis]

This is from Google:

Not all referrals from Google.com domains come through organic search or AdWords ad listings. Referrals may come from a variety of sources, including Google Groups posts, base.google.com listings, or static pages on related Google sites. Such visits are tagged as [referral] instead of [organic] or [cpc].

cited: https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/1011811?hl=en

I hope that helps!