Google Analytics showing a spike but my logs are not (and Alexa too)...

Discussion in 'Google Analytics' started by FFMG, Apr 1, 2011.

  1. #1
    Hi,

    I am not sure what to make of it but for the past 2 weeks Google Analytics has reported a traffic increase of about 70% to 80%, (Unique visitors).

    My own logs, (Apache server logs), only seem to report 10%-20% increase.
    Alexa, (yes I know, I know, it is not a good stats tool), also seem to report 5%-10% increase.

    So even taking Alexa with a pinch of salt I don't get anywhere near what Google Analytics is reporting. In fact it looks like my logs are closer to the right percent increase, (again, of unique visitors).

    But I seriously doubt that Google would be wrong, simply because, well, it's Google.

    Note:
    1- No code has changed for the past few months, (I have not added Google Analytics to new pages for example).
    2- My traffic has been going up for about 6 months and the Google Analytics increase has been inline with my own log.

    So my question is simply, what could be the reason for such a diference in numbers between my logs, Alexa and Google Analytics?

    Thanks

    FFMG
     
    FFMG, Apr 1, 2011 IP
  2. simple007

    simple007 Well-Known Member

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    #2
    Same thing happened to me also, analytics shows spike in traffic but in reality it is false alarm... I don't know what is google up to ...
     
    simple007, Apr 2, 2011 IP
  3. BizSeo

    BizSeo Greenhorn

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    #3
    Because of scenerios like these I install my google analytics and also piwik on all my websites. Piwik is very reliable because it gets installed on the server, all the reporting isn't done by a company like Google, instead it's all true 01010101 with Piwik.

    My point is always use more then one web analytic solution.

    I hope that helps
     
    BizSeo, Apr 2, 2011 IP
  4. FFMG

    FFMG Well-Known Member

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    #4
    I think you are right, the 'spike' only lasted a couple of days.
    It seems to be back to normal now, (although it still shows +91% change, the graph is now back in line with my own server logs).
    I would like to hear what the reasons for those false alarms are, it makes it hard to trust the figures given by Google if they start having hiccups like those.

    FFMG
     
    FFMG, Apr 4, 2011 IP
  5. FFMG

    FFMG Well-Known Member

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    #5
    I'll have a look at piwik, (never heard of them before), but I am reluctant to add too much code to my pages.

    FFMG
     
    FFMG, Apr 4, 2011 IP
  6. request

    request Peon

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    #6
    I dunno, every analytics device seems off for me as well. Statpress, google, whosamongus
     
    request, Apr 5, 2011 IP