GA - how to read "Visits by New and Returning Visitors"

[PowerUp]

Hi,

In Google Analytics, if I select to view data for one date, say 1st May 2007 and I have a total of 5 visitors (3 new and 2 returning).

What does returning visitors mean? Are they returning visitors who had visited my site earlier in the same day? Or are they returning visitors who had visited my website maybe last week,.. or last month?

[piatkow]

I haven't looked into GA specifically but the normal method is to download a cookie on the first visit so it depends in part on how often the visitor clears their cookies.

[piatkow]

I haven't looked into GA specifically but the normal method is to download a cookie on the first visit so it depends in part on how often the visitor clears their cookies.