Uniqe pageviews vs visits (Google Analytics)

Hi!

I've been trying to learn the difference between "uniqe pageviews" and visits when it comes down to an unique URL (I am using Google Analytics)

Google says that: "A unique page view represents the number of sessions during which that page was viewed one or more times." (http://adwords.google.co.uk/support/bin/answer.py?answer=57164)

In my understanding, for an unique URL, the number of pageviews should be equal to the number of visits. However, in my case it is always (meaning - for each unique URL) different. The number of visits is bigger than the number of unique pageviews.

Could someone explain it to me? I have reported it to Google, got some feedback (ther are checking on it), yet they haven't come with an answer yet.

Perhaps you might have an idea for this situation.

Thanks in advance.

 

It could be only if number of unique visitors are less than returning visitors..

 

Hi Manish!

Thanks for your answer, but I need more details. I do not understand the link between the situation I describe and your answer. Besides, how can a number of unique visitors be lower than the number of returning visitors. Unique visitors are returning and new visitors added.

If you meant new visitors, not returning visitors - I still see no correlation. As far as I know, visits and pageviews are counted the same way regardless of whether the visitor is new or returning.

 

You mean to say pageviews should be equal to total visits??

 

No, I mean that there is no difference in the methodology of counting visits and pageviews when a new or returning vistor comes to the page.

A visit is a visit always, just like a pageview. When I enter the page twice during the day (10 am, 2pm), GA will count me once as a new visitor, and once as a returning visitor for that day. GA will count 2 visits and the number of pageviews will be equal to the total amount of pages I will see.

My question focuses on the reason for such a discrepancy between unique pageviews and visits for A SPECIFIC url. According to my understanding of GA terminology, they should be equal, or there should be not big difference between them.

 

sounds interesting please post reply when received from gogle

 

I am looking forward to the explaination on this too. I know it is probably a really simple thing, but I too am a little confused.