Google Analytics

I have experienced diffentiated data with the Goolge Analytics product when compared to Web Stats for website traffic. Does anyone know what parameters each of the two products are using that cause them to come up with varying data?

Dan

There are no form of web analytics that is perfect. Keep in mind that you have to keep all parameters in same condition in order to compare differences. This means:
a. Are they counting all unique visitors?
b. Are the stats including your own visits?
c. Are they discounting re-visits and combine as visitors?

Different analytics can have different features. And it is more important to interpret the data properly and focus on one analytic than to be bothered with data differences.

I go for Google analytics because there are lot of important features and flexibility but it may depend on your choice.

I too trust Google analytics only.

Google Analytics relies on Javascript to do its tracking. Since you can use ad blocking software to prevent the JS from being loaded or just turn JS off entirely you're always going to have some form of discrepancy vs a log parser analyser.

If you want the power of Google Analytics with the accuracy of log parsing then I suggest you check out Urchin.

other use two or more traffic counter for alternative... to have something like comparison... so i use GA and statcounter pretty satisfied with this tools...

GA almost always reports under what most other analytics systems do. They don't go strictly by the logs, removing Bots from possible stats. Javascript problem may also apply.

I trust GA over most other analytics, but still wouldn't say it's accurate. I'd rather be dealing with lower numbers than with the false hope of overinflated stats. GA has some great features, and points you in the right direction. IMO you'll better understand your target visitor with these stats.

As helpful as these tools are, I don't think anyone should solely rely on them as hard facts. They provide great information but I would suggest not putting your eggs in 1 basket, even 2 for that matter. Use the tools as a general idea of what is happening on your site. I know many people who were so involved with stats (myself included) and thought it was the be all tell all. Sure enough, it wasnt

Im not totally sure your question can receive a satisfied answer. Although G publishes a lot of information about analytics, you may want to try to contact the creator of Web Stats and ask more specific questions about how they compile their data. Maybe that will give you a better idea of why the stats are different.

Exactly. Thoroughly breaking down the numbers can be helpful when you've done everything you can to get traffic (the light at the end of that tunnel remains to be seen.) Am I suggesting ignore all stats? No, just don't get too wrapped up in the numbers.

I also had problems with spending too much time looking at the numbers. Recently, I did a time management check on myself, realizing how poorly my time was spread around. Since changing my ways, I'm seeing drastically better numbers, resulting from the increase in content building and backlink work.

Check 1 or 2 Analytic programs - Don't rely heavily on the results - and Don't obsess. Analytics are a guide, not the gospel.

Could it be possible that Google is SPYING on all websites using data collected from Google Analytics ??

Do they secretly use this analytic data to guide their search bot whether this site is useful or not ??

i'd say google analytics is the most accurate thing i have used... even my statcounter shows me inflated numbers.

That's the nature of different pieces of software. Of course, it doesn't really matter. Hard numbers aren't nearly as important as spotting trends.

One thing you get with all js based analytics tools is that "quick bounces" aren't counted, which imo is a good thing.

With quick bounces I mean those site visitors that don't wait for a page to load, often clicking on links accidentally. Even though these people visited your site for a fraction of a second they're not really site visitors and it's useless "counting" these anyway.

i also observd sum difrnce in da stats of google analytics n oder aplications... but aftr spendin sum time of trust on google analytics result n workin on da weak areas i improvd my stats moreover googles quick bounces is wat i think creats da difrnce

I used to use statcounter but soon realised it counted me as a unique visitor.

I think google is best for me.