Comments on: Standard Metrics Revisited: #4 : Time on Page & Time on Site http://www.kaushik.net/avinash/2008/01/standard-metrics-revisited-time-on-page-and-time-on-site.html Pluralitas non est ponenda sine neccesitate. Fri, 05 Dec 2008 17:50:02 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: Trending Upward | What’s wrong with bounce rate? http://www.kaushik.net/avinash/2008/01/standard-metrics-revisited-time-on-page-and-time-on-site.html#comment-473227 Trending Upward | What’s wrong with bounce rate? Tue, 14 Oct 2008 21:46:33 +0000 http://www.kaushik.net/avinash/2008/01/standard-metrics-revisited-time-on-page-and-time-on-site.html#comment-473227 [...] How time on site is calculated. Nothing can be that easy, right? Most analytics packages count a single page visit (no matter how long you stayed on that page) as spending 0 seconds on the site. For an in-depth explanation of how most web analytics packages measure time on site, you can read this post on Occam’s Razor. I’ll give you the Readers Digest version here, though. [...] [...] How time on site is calculated. Nothing can be that easy, right? Most analytics packages count a single page visit (no matter how long you stayed on that page) as spending 0 seconds on the site. For an in-depth explanation of how most web analytics packages measure time on site, you can read this post on Occam’s Razor. I’ll give you the Readers Digest version here, though. [...]

]]> By: Conversion Rate Optimization for Microconversions http://www.kaushik.net/avinash/2008/01/standard-metrics-revisited-time-on-page-and-time-on-site.html#comment-471858 Conversion Rate Optimization for Microconversions Tue, 16 Sep 2008 16:12:50 +0000 http://www.kaushik.net/avinash/2008/01/standard-metrics-revisited-time-on-page-and-time-on-site.html#comment-471858 [...] This was another recommendation by the same vendor that he said would help tests complete faster. There are significant problems with time-on-page metric, though, as Avinash’s excellent article (one of many) explains. To summarize the article, bounces and multi-tabbed visits are probably not being tracked the way you expect (I couldn’t explain the details better than Avinash does, so please read his article for more on that subject). And, even if the measurement method were flawless, what does time-on-page tell you? If visitors spend more time on your landing page, is that a positive or negative conversion indicator? [...] [...] This was another recommendation by the same vendor that he said would help tests complete faster. There are significant problems with time-on-page metric, though, as Avinash’s excellent article (one of many) explains. To summarize the article, bounces and multi-tabbed visits are probably not being tracked the way you expect (I couldn’t explain the details better than Avinash does, so please read his article for more on that subject). And, even if the measurement method were flawless, what does time-on-page tell you? If visitors spend more time on your landing page, is that a positive or negative conversion indicator? [...]

]]> By: Sergi http://www.kaushik.net/avinash/2008/01/standard-metrics-revisited-time-on-page-and-time-on-site.html#comment-466799 Sergi Sun, 20 Jul 2008 19:13:00 +0000 http://www.kaushik.net/avinash/2008/01/standard-metrics-revisited-time-on-page-and-time-on-site.html#comment-466799 Just a comment to those interested in getting the real time on page. It's possible to get it two ways, triggering a fake pageview with the tracker inside the event window.onUnload (better in another profile as we would get a lot of fake pageviews) or via the new GA event tracking (now still in beta but available if you requested it) triggering a event when the user leaves the page, that passes as a parameter the time on page. Just a comment to those interested in getting the real time on page. It’s possible to get it two ways, triggering a fake pageview with the tracker inside the event window.onUnload (better in another profile as we would get a lot of fake pageviews) or via the new GA event tracking (now still in beta but available if you requested it) triggering a event when the user leaves the page, that passes as a parameter the time on page.

]]> By: Levi Wardell http://www.kaushik.net/avinash/2008/01/standard-metrics-revisited-time-on-page-and-time-on-site.html#comment-464102 Levi Wardell Mon, 16 Jun 2008 16:24:58 +0000 http://www.kaushik.net/avinash/2008/01/standard-metrics-revisited-time-on-page-and-time-on-site.html#comment-464102 Thanks for this. Huge help. It also begs the question(s)... as this turns to a KPI for monitoring those who travel to +1 pages, how does that change the landscape? Is there a benefit in knowing that the time on page is directly tied to those who visit a page and decide they want more? Cheerio @Trontastic Thanks for this. Huge help.

It also begs the question(s)… as this turns to a KPI for monitoring those who travel to +1 pages, how does that change the landscape? Is there a benefit in knowing that the time on page is directly tied to those who visit a page and decide they want more?

Cheerio

@Trontastic

]]> By: Chasni.Sun http://www.kaushik.net/avinash/2008/01/standard-metrics-revisited-time-on-page-and-time-on-site.html#comment-460023 Chasni.Sun Fri, 30 May 2008 15:48:33 +0000 http://www.kaushik.net/avinash/2008/01/standard-metrics-revisited-time-on-page-and-time-on-site.html#comment-460023 I never see a topic is clear like this ! I'm clear about TS & TP mean now. GA shows all TS are zero for me, I wonder if my site can't open or too slowly. finally I know it's because high bounce rate. thank you very much. I never see a topic is clear like this ! I’m clear about TS & TP mean now. GA shows all TS are zero for me, I wonder if my site can’t open or too slowly. finally I know it’s because high bounce rate.

thank you very much.

]]> By: Jerry http://www.kaushik.net/avinash/2008/01/standard-metrics-revisited-time-on-page-and-time-on-site.html#comment-459979 Jerry Fri, 30 May 2008 08:54:16 +0000 http://www.kaushik.net/avinash/2008/01/standard-metrics-revisited-time-on-page-and-time-on-site.html#comment-459979 Great Explanation, BUT (!!) I have an important question: On google analytics, when "Time on site" is, for example, 00:03:42, does it mean 3 min's and 42 sec's? Or is it 3 sec's and 42... smaller parts?? Great Explanation, BUT (!!) I have an important question:
On google analytics, when “Time on site” is, for example, 00:03:42, does it mean 3 min’s and 42 sec’s? Or is it 3 sec’s and 42… smaller parts??

]]> By: Jaamit http://www.kaushik.net/avinash/2008/01/standard-metrics-revisited-time-on-page-and-time-on-site.html#comment-446729 Jaamit Tue, 08 Apr 2008 09:56:14 +0000 http://www.kaushik.net/avinash/2008/01/standard-metrics-revisited-time-on-page-and-time-on-site.html#comment-446729 Excellent, thanks for a very clear reply Avinash. Love the Ini Kamoze reference too (13 minutes...do you know of some secret extended version? lol) Excellent, thanks for a very clear reply Avinash. Love the Ini Kamoze reference too (13 minutes…do you know of some secret extended version? lol)

]]> By: Avinash Kaushik http://www.kaushik.net/avinash/2008/01/standard-metrics-revisited-time-on-page-and-time-on-site.html#comment-446443 Avinash Kaushik Mon, 07 Apr 2008 22:52:34 +0000 http://www.kaushik.net/avinash/2008/01/standard-metrics-revisited-time-on-page-and-time-on-site.html#comment-446443 <b><font color=blue>Jaamit:</font></b> Let's dissect things a bit to get a richer understanding. Time on site is computed using this "formula":       Time Stamp (last link hit) Minus Time Stamp (first link hit). (Or look at the picture in the above post). Let's talk a couple scenarios: <font color=red><strong>1)</strong></font> + Requested home page: 0900 + Requested page two: 0901 + Leave Time on site: One minute. Time on page two: Zero minutes. <font color=red><strong>2)</strong></font> + Requested home page: 0900 + Requested page two: 0901 + Click on link to download pdf on page two: 0902 + Leave Time on site: Two minutes. Time on page two: One minute. <font color=red><strong>3)</strong></font> + Requested home page: 0900 + Requested page two: 0901 + Click on link to download pdf on page two: 0902 + Dance for 13 mins to Ini Kamoze's <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MS8UHOFk-KI" rel="nofollow">Here Comes The Hotstepper</a> + Go back to the site and click on a link to page four: 0915 + Leave Time on site: Fifteen minutes. Time on page two: Thirteen minutes. That should help you understand what is happening in your case. Couple points of note: <strong>#</strong> Pretty much every single web analytics tool will behave as above, GA or otherwise. <strong>#</strong> Javascript based tools (pretty much all of 'em right now) don't track the download time of the pdf (even if they say that they do, push 'em and ask them exactly what they do). <strong>#</strong> In your case, or in scenario #3 above, the whole pdf / download thing is a "distraction" to understanding. The pdf click was captured and reported, but what might be impacting time on site is the fact that the person came back to the site before the session was terminated (in less than 29 minutes). <strong>#</strong> Above, #3, would happen to time on site even in this case: click page one, click page two, go to google.com and search for dresses, come back 28 mins later, click on page three. Web Analytics is fun! [Seriously!!] -Avinash. Jaamit: Let’s dissect things a bit to get a richer understanding.

Time on site is computed using this “formula”:
      Time Stamp (last link hit) Minus Time Stamp (first link hit).
(Or look at the picture in the above post).

Let’s talk a couple scenarios:

1)
+ Requested home page: 0900
+ Requested page two: 0901
+ Leave

Time on site: One minute.
Time on page two: Zero minutes.

2)
+ Requested home page: 0900
+ Requested page two: 0901
+ Click on link to download pdf on page two: 0902
+ Leave

Time on site: Two minutes.
Time on page two: One minute.

3)
+ Requested home page: 0900
+ Requested page two: 0901
+ Click on link to download pdf on page two: 0902
+ Dance for 13 mins to Ini Kamoze’s Here Comes The Hotstepper
+ Go back to the site and click on a link to page four: 0915
+ Leave

Time on site: Fifteen minutes.
Time on page two: Thirteen minutes.

That should help you understand what is happening in your case.

Couple points of note:

# Pretty much every single web analytics tool will behave as above, GA or otherwise.

# Javascript based tools (pretty much all of ‘em right now) don’t track the download time of the pdf (even if they say that they do, push ‘em and ask them exactly what they do).

# In your case, or in scenario #3 above, the whole pdf / download thing is a “distraction” to understanding. The pdf click was captured and reported, but what might be impacting time on site is the fact that the person came back to the site before the session was terminated (in less than 29 minutes).

# Above, #3, would happen to time on site even in this case: click page one, click page two, go to google.com and search for dresses, come back 28 mins later, click on page three.

Web Analytics is fun! [Seriously!!]

-Avinash.

]]> By: Jaamit http://www.kaushik.net/avinash/2008/01/standard-metrics-revisited-time-on-page-and-time-on-site.html#comment-446193 Jaamit Mon, 07 Apr 2008 11:11:21 +0000 http://www.kaushik.net/avinash/2008/01/standard-metrics-revisited-time-on-page-and-time-on-site.html#comment-446193 <blockquote>probably the same way all other “time on page” calcs are done. Delta between click/open time; and the next html click.</blockquote> OK, assuming most people get PDFs opened in a browser window, most people wouldn't navigate away from a PDF via a link click - I'd say it would either be with the back button or closing the new window / tab. From reading this post it seems GA would not be able to measure the time from a close window action, so is it measuring time between the initial click and 'back' button click? :| <blockquote>11 mins doesn’t sound too unreasonable.</blockquote> True, but with the HTML content on this site has an average time on page of 1 minute! Which leads me to think that there's something strange going on with the way it's measuring this stat. What I would like to know is, can I trust the 'time on page' metric for PDF files?

probably the same way all other “time on page” calcs are done. Delta between click/open time; and the next html click.

OK, assuming most people get PDFs opened in a browser window, most people wouldn’t navigate away from a PDF via a link click - I’d say it would either be with the back button or closing the new window / tab. From reading this post it seems GA would not be able to measure the time from a close window action, so is it measuring time between the initial click and ‘back’ button click? :|

11 mins doesn’t sound too unreasonable.

True, but with the HTML content on this site has an average time on page of 1 minute! Which leads me to think that there’s something strange going on with the way it’s measuring this stat. What I would like to know is, can I trust the ‘time on page’ metric for PDF files?

]]> By: Steve http://www.kaushik.net/avinash/2008/01/standard-metrics-revisited-time-on-page-and-time-on-site.html#comment-446176 Steve Mon, 07 Apr 2008 10:22:51 +0000 http://www.kaushik.net/avinash/2008/01/standard-metrics-revisited-time-on-page-and-time-on-site.html#comment-446176 Jaamit - probably the same way all other "time on page" calcs are done. Delta between click/open time; and the next html click. 11 mins doesn't sound too unreasonable. Also: Check the lunametrics blog. Robbin S did an experiment with some other funky GA stuff a few months back. You could easily duplicate and cross verify?? HTH? - Steve Jaamit - probably the same way all other “time on page” calcs are done. Delta between click/open time; and the next html click. 11 mins doesn’t sound too unreasonable.
Also: Check the lunametrics blog. Robbin S did an experiment with some other funky GA stuff a few months back. You could easily duplicate and cross verify??
HTH?
- Steve

]]> By: Jaamit http://www.kaushik.net/avinash/2008/01/standard-metrics-revisited-time-on-page-and-time-on-site.html#comment-446109 Jaamit Mon, 07 Apr 2008 08:35:12 +0000 http://www.kaushik.net/avinash/2008/01/standard-metrics-revisited-time-on-page-and-time-on-site.html#comment-446109 <blockquote>"your tracking code referrs to counting clicks on links to pdf files rather than actually analizing time on pdf files" </blockquote> My thoughts exactly - so my question is, where is GA getting the "time on page" data for PDF downloads from??

“your tracking code referrs to counting clicks on links to pdf files rather than actually analizing time on pdf files”

My thoughts exactly - so my question is, where is GA getting the “time on page” data for PDF downloads from??

]]> By: Ophir Cohen http://www.kaushik.net/avinash/2008/01/standard-metrics-revisited-time-on-page-and-time-on-site.html#comment-444181 Ophir Cohen Fri, 04 Apr 2008 20:53:30 +0000 http://www.kaushik.net/avinash/2008/01/standard-metrics-revisited-time-on-page-and-time-on-site.html#comment-444181 Hi Jammit, I have a feeling your tracking code referrs to counting clicks on links to pdf files rather than actually analizing time on pdf files. Unless the GA code was embedded somehow inside the pdf (which I am not sure is possible - but will be happy to learn is it is) - It only counts the click on the link. Ophir Hi Jammit,
I have a feeling your tracking code referrs to counting clicks on links to pdf files rather than actually analizing time on pdf files.

Unless the GA code was embedded somehow inside the pdf (which I am not sure is possible - but will be happy to learn is it is) - It only counts the click on the link.

Ophir

]]> By: Jaamit http://www.kaushik.net/avinash/2008/01/standard-metrics-revisited-time-on-page-and-time-on-site.html#comment-444023 Jaamit Fri, 04 Apr 2008 14:01:16 +0000 http://www.kaushik.net/avinash/2008/01/standard-metrics-revisited-time-on-page-and-time-on-site.html#comment-444023 Hi Avinash, I'm trying to get to the bottom of a problem we're having about the 'time on page' stat for pdf files. We have onclick GA JavaScript set up for pdf downloads, but how on earth is Google Analytics recording a time on page stat for these pdfs? It's been flagged up by a client because the time on page for these pdfs is showing up as considerably higher (up to 11 mins) than all the HTML pages being tracked. If, as I suspect, it's not possible for GA to track how long someone has spent with a pdf open, where on earth is the stat coming from? I'd really appreciate your help on this. Thanks Hi Avinash,

I’m trying to get to the bottom of a problem we’re having about the ‘time on page’ stat for pdf files. We have onclick GA JavaScript set up for pdf downloads, but how on earth is Google Analytics recording a time on page stat for these pdfs?

It’s been flagged up by a client because the time on page for these pdfs is showing up as considerably higher (up to 11 mins) than all the HTML pages being tracked. If, as I suspect, it’s not possible for GA to track how long someone has spent with a pdf open, where on earth is the stat coming from?

I’d really appreciate your help on this.

Thanks

]]> By: Minjae http://www.kaushik.net/avinash/2008/01/standard-metrics-revisited-time-on-page-and-time-on-site.html#comment-439782 Minjae Mon, 24 Mar 2008 09:10:43 +0000 http://www.kaushik.net/avinash/2008/01/standard-metrics-revisited-time-on-page-and-time-on-site.html#comment-439782 Let me ask something about tab browsing you mentioned in this post. I am confused the number of sessions for "Dealing with tab browsing # 2". One or two? * Outcomes: One Sessions, visit “reorganized” by time stamps. * Net net: 2 Visit. 1 Unique Visitor. These two are conflicting each other? If I am false, please let me know. p.s. One Sessions -> One Session(misspeled) The purpose I comment like this, just complete a great post if it needs. ;-) <font color=blue>- - - <strong>NOTE</strong></font>: Minjae: My apologies, it should read 1 Visit and 1 Unique Visitor. I have fixed it now in the post. Thanks for pointing it out to me! -Avinash. Let me ask something about tab browsing you mentioned in this post.

I am confused the number of sessions for “Dealing with tab browsing # 2″. One or two?

* Outcomes: One Sessions, visit “reorganized” by time stamps.
* Net net: 2 Visit. 1 Unique Visitor.
These two are conflicting each other?
If I am false, please let me know.

p.s. One Sessions -> One Session(misspeled)

The purpose I comment like this, just complete a great post if it needs. ;-)

- - -
NOTE: Minjae: My apologies, it should read 1 Visit and 1 Unique Visitor. I have fixed it now in the post. Thanks for pointing it out to me! -Avinash.

]]> By: James http://www.kaushik.net/avinash/2008/01/standard-metrics-revisited-time-on-page-and-time-on-site.html#comment-432924 James Tue, 11 Mar 2008 16:39:12 +0000 http://www.kaushik.net/avinash/2008/01/standard-metrics-revisited-time-on-page-and-time-on-site.html#comment-432924 Thank you for this site. This is just what I needed. I plan on returning here frequently. Thank you for this site.

This is just what I needed.

I plan on returning here frequently.

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