Categories: Technology ServicesWeb Analytics

Visits (redefined) – RUGA part 8.1

Last Thursday Google pushed through an update to the ga.js script which drastically changes the way visits are measured. A session (remember: session = visit) is now defined by a series of interactions with the site which are separated by no more than 30 minutes and come from a single campaign source. You’ll notice that closing the browser no longer ends a session. This brings the definition of session in line with the common definition of a visit and gives each more accurate attribution information

This means that utmc is no longer used! At least, not for sessions. Of course it’s still written.

There shouldn’t be much to notice on a user/implementer side, but here are the variables included in a basic utm.gif request now:

utmwv=5.1.5&
utms=1&
utmn=711547657&
utmhn=www.cardinalpath.com&
utmcs=UTF-8&
utmsr=1366x768&
utmsc=32-bit&
utmul=en-gb&
utmje=1&
utmfl=10.3%20r183&
utmdt=Cardinal%20Path%20-%20Web%20Analytics%20and%20Data%20Driven%20Marketing%20%7C%20Cardinal%20Path&
utmhid=821714650&
utmr=-&
utmp=%2F&
utmac=UA-22022050-1&
utmcc=__utma%3D142955815.1740018290.1311192831.1312310134.1313770301.5%3B%2B__utmz%3D142955815.1311192831.1.1.utmcsr%3D(direct)%7Cutmccn%3D(direct)%7Cutmcmd%3D(none)%3B&
utmu=qBAAAAAg~

utm.gif is pretty much the same as before (and really, why would it change). Hadn’t noticed utmu before (I dont think…) and the grapevine says that its used for internal Google purposes.

All in all this should be a pretty good change, making attribution of metrics easier and more accurate.

Kent Clark

Some have compared him to the Dalai Lama, others to Kublai Kahn. When he isn't teaching third world children how to purify water with nothing more than a plastic bottle and a garden hose, he is creating mad waves for surfers off the west coast with little more than a paddle. Some say there is a boat involved, others that he walks on water. Little is known about his background. he appeared from nowhere 15 years ago and claims heritage from a land with neither want not need. He makes little comment, stating only that it was a pretty cool place. Fire does not burn him, cold does not hurt him. Words could... but they don't. When he passes, pedals fall off branches. When he speaks, hair tugs at skin, pulling just slightly in his direction. He does not sleep but he does dream. He has muscled his way into the lives of the famous and whispered his way into their hearts. And in the wee hours he plays oboe softly, as if to sooth the night to sleep.