Google Analytics is a powerful tool for marketers, providing them with data about the performance of their online campaigns. This data can be used to pinpoint areas of improvement or identify emerging trends. It also helps marketers gain a better understanding of their target customers and the overall effectiveness of their marketing strategies.
However, there are some cases when Google Analytics cannot reliably identify sessions from the same users by default. This can be a problem when trying to accurately track the success of a particular advertising campaign. In this article, we will take a look at some of the reasons why Google Analytics might struggle to identify sessions from the same users and what marketers can do to ensure that their data remains accurate.
The first reason why Google Analytics might not be able to identify sessions from the same user by default is because they might be using different devices to access the website. For example, if a user is accessing a website from their smartphone and then later switches to their laptop, Google Analytics will record two separate sessions since it can’t detect the two devices being used. This can cause difficulties in correctly tracking data if the user is looking to compare session data across multiple devices.
Another reason why Google Analytics may struggle to identify sessions from the same users by default is if they are using Incognito mode to access a website. Incognito mode is designed to hide the user’s browsing history from being tracked and this, in turn, stops Google Analytics from collecting data about the user. This can make it difficult for marketers to accurately track conversion rates and other vital data points.
Finally, Google Analytics may have difficulties in identifying sessions from the same users if they are using VPNs to connect to the internet. VPNs are designed to keep their users' location and IP address private, meaning that Google Analytics will not be able to connect the dots between visits from the same user.
Overall, while Google Analytics is a powerful tool in the hands of marketers, it can struggle to identify sessions from the same user by default. The reasons for this vary but include things like the use of different devices, Incognito mode and VPNs. Marketers should be aware of these limitations and take steps to make sure their data remains accurate and reliable. For example, using tag management tools such as Google Tag Manager can help to ensure that all user data is accurately collected and tracked. Additionally, working with Cross-device analysis tools like Crosslight Self Identity can be useful in providing more granular user data and helping marketers to track users across different devices and campaigns.