I’m using both StatCounter and Google Search Console to keep track of who’s coming to our site and how they’re getting there. There are obvious differences between the two based on how they pull data, but there’s one glaring inconsistency that’s bothering me: Search clicks.
StatCounter can’t show the keywords used [shakes fist at the sky], but I can see the pages getting hit. They’re spread nicely around the site, suggesting that a number of different keywords are bringing people in.
Search Console says that the only clicks are coming from our company name.
For Friday (last day Google has info)
StatCounter: 5 visits from Google Search (all different people to different pages)
Google: 0 visits from Google Search
First, I’d recommend looking over a bigger range. Do the stats for entire month. Is there still a big difference?
Second. Stop looking at the stats. Your site is too small right now. Its like going on a diet and weighing yourself every morning. Bad idea. The ups and downs will drive you crazy.
Focus on growing your traffic. Do keyword research, write more content, promote it, build links. Work on that for at least 2 months … then come back and see how you are doing. Unless you are getting >100 hits from search a day its not even worth looking at the analytics.
First, I’d recommend looking over a bigger range. Do the stats for entire month. Is there still a big difference?
Yes. I just pointed out the single day as an example of a readily observable discrepancy. Totals between the two over a 30-day period are widely off.
Second. Stop looking at the stats. Your site is too small right now. Its like going on a diet and weighing yourself every morning. Bad idea. The ups and downs will drive you crazy.
I’m not using the stats to look at ups and downs. I know it will fluctuate wildly with minimal factors (though it’s nice to show graphs to the boss; (Look! It’s going up!) I’m using stats to track trends, such as which days get better responses, which countries are looking at which pages, which keywords are getting impressions in which regions, etc. Even with low numbers, it’s already been helping to make minor shifts in what we’re doing, and those shifts are showing results.
Unless you are getting >100 hits from search a day its not even worth looking at the analytics.
Well, as stated above, it is helping. I’ve been a stats-hound for about 15 years, so I’m familiar with the pitfalls. I’m just trying to understand the difference in how Google and Statcounter pull data, so I can better interpret what I’m seeing. I know that SC over-estimates hits, and GA underestimates them. Looking at low-number stats–which greatly exaggerate all the various factors–highlights the differences in stats collection methods and can help me to understand how they’re collected and reported.
Just to clarify: I’m not complaining or freaking out, I’m just trying to gain a better understanding.
Apologies - I assumed your aim with the stats was different. Your approach sounds solid.
Only advice I can give at this time is to take a close look at any filters you might have set up on the GA side.
It could be because statcounter has a fallback if a visitor has JavaScript switched off whereas Google Analytics doesn’t (as far as I can see). Your most reliable stats would be your server stats.
I’m not sure that search console uses js to gather data, it does not require you to add any to your site.
I presume it works by Google recording people’s use of Google Search: when your site comes up in SERPS, for what keywords, if clicked, etc… They should be able to do that by monitoring search queries to their servers, given results and what results are clicked. That could all be done server-side.
Well, I just discovered what some of the discrepancy is: Google being Google
Apparently, StatCounter reads the Google spider as an actual visitor coming from Google search pages. I just noticed 4 hits, apparently from #1 listed search terms, for a blog post I wrote a couple hours ago. All from Mountain View, CA. Using Chrome for Linux, Chrome for Android, Chrome for Win 7, and IE, with the ISP of… “Google”.
Big part of the mystery solved, and indicates that when we start getting real numbers, the discrepancy will remain just a few clicks, and not proportional numbers.
I’m using stats to track trends, such as which days get better responses, which countries are looking at which pages, which keywords are getting impressions in which regions, etc. Even with low numbers, it’s already been helping to make minor shifts in what we’re doing, and those shifts are showing results.