how accurate is google analytics?

Discussion in 'Google Analytics' started by Contrarian, Jan 18, 2008.

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  1. #1
    Lately I have been pondering this questions. I compared my analytics account to AWStats and there is a huge difference in the numbers

    For example:
    For yesterday my site had 145 Unique visitors from Awstats
    On Analytics it only shows 45 :(
     
    Contrarian, Jan 18, 2008 IP
  2. HoagieKat

    HoagieKat Peon

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    #2
    I get similar findings, analytics seems to show less, it could be people blocking cookies, or javascript, or just a difference in the way that the two stats programs analyse their statistics.

    I do tend to believe GA a lot more, it seems very accurate from the tests I've done with adding some custom PHP tracking code to pages.

    The difference may also be spiders and bots going through your site, which log analysers would pick up where GA will not.
     
    HoagieKat, Jan 25, 2008 IP
  3. TroyM

    TroyM Well-Known Member

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    #3
    My clients have the same problem..
    Here are some explanations...

    - User who disable "Javascript" in their browsers are not counted by GA..
    - If you placed GA script on your footer, and users move to another page w/o loading the script, GA will not count them
    - Google will not count bots/crawlers..

    Thanks
     
    TroyM, Jan 25, 2008 IP