Comments on: How to Solve Six Common Issues in The Google Analytics Referrals Report

By: Paul Koks

Paul Koks — Thu, 20 Feb 2020 13:38:16 +0000

In reply to Angela.

Hi Angela,

It could have an impact, but based on what you describe above, it should be ok to have that filter FIRST.

Could you otherwise try the suggested filter without the other one (combine Facebook referrals) in a different Test View?

Best,
Paul

By: Angela

Angela — Thu, 20 Feb 2020 10:26:52 +0000

Hi, thanks for this great article. I really like the Rewrite Medium to Social for Social Referrals Filter. I implemented it in my analytics but it doesn’t work like it should. I also have another filter to combine the Facebook referrals which says if campaign source is ^.*facebook.com$ put facebook instead. Could that be the problem? Which filter do I need to put first? Thanks for your help.

By: Paul Koks

Paul Koks — Tue, 18 Feb 2020 13:05:50 +0000

In reply to Mre.

Hi there,

I would need a lot more information in order to debug the potential issue.
From a data reporting point of view, I recommend creating a segment to exclude all entries on the order confirmation page.
Then you will get more reliable conversion and revenue stats.

Best,
Paul

By: Mre

Mre — Tue, 18 Feb 2020 09:25:59 +0000

Hi Paul, thank you for this great article, very helpfull. I still have a problem with the order-confirmation page after checking out, considered sometimes as a landing from google / organic (very strange as it’s 404 if you are not logged in AND do not just come from check out).
Can also be bing, ecosia or direct/none sometimes.
Most of these make zero revenue but still, some make.
Do you have any ideas on how can i manage this ?
Thank you for your help in advance.

By: Paul Koks

Paul Koks — Thu, 03 Jan 2019 12:22:49 +0000

In reply to Alicia.

Hi Alicia,

I am not sure what is causing this not to work. Is there maybe a conflicting filter or anything else that might interfere?
And make sure to test this new filter in a Test View first.

By: Alicia

Alicia — Wed, 02 Jan 2019 19:57:30 +0000

Hey Paul,

First up, thanks for the above info!

So I followed the steps as mentioned in 1. Social Referrals. But there aren’t any changes? Any thoughts on why this might be so?

By: Paul Koks

Paul Koks — Tue, 02 Oct 2018 08:33:04 +0000

In reply to Jonathan.

Hi Jonathan,
Two ideas come to mind.
1) Have you looked up the full referral path and if so, can you locate a link to your domain?
2) Do you exclude bot/spam traffic on your website? Please check this article to learn more:
https://online-metrics.com/bot-traffic/

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Mon, 01 Oct 2018 15:33:47 +0000

Great info. The problem I’m running into is deciphering some referrals from other domains. I have a landing page that is only known by one of my customers, yet I have 4 referrals from 2 sources that cannot possibly know about this page. What could cause this? I’m reporting out on it and I have no answer. Thanks!

By: Paul Koks

Paul Koks — Mon, 01 Oct 2018 09:58:34 +0000

In reply to Vassilis.

Hi Vassilis,

I am not sure whether I understand your correctly. GA is actually not modifying utm_medium to social within DCG unless you instruct them to do so (via a filter). In order to get the “right” data in your source/medium reports, you need to modify it there.

Best,
Paul

By: Vassilis

Vassilis — Sun, 30 Sep 2018 18:33:14 +0000

In reply to Paul Koks.

Hello Paul,
I think that the problem that GA alters utm_medium to social is because at Default Channel Grouping Settings, Social channel setting is still “System Defined” and NOT as you Paul wrote at your instructions. To work good we must modify the “Social” at Default Channel Grouping as you instructed.
Regards,
Vassilis.