Huge Bounce Rate Drop In Google Analytics

Forum Moderators: DixonJones

Message Too Old, No Replies

Huge Bounce Rate Drop In Google Analytics

Bounce Rate Dropped From 63% to 25%

Planet13

7:24 am on Jan 3, 2011 (gmt 0)

Hi there, Everyone:

had a really BIG bounce rate drop in google analytics since October 18th, continuing till today.

For the last several years, the bounce rate has been around 65%

Overnight on the 18th, it dropped to around 25% and has staid around there ever since.

I have not made any major changes to the site or the analytics code on the site (I am using the js code that goes in the footer, not the new asynchronus code).

There have NOT been any other dramatic changes in any of the metrics. Just bounce rates seem totally wacky.

For what it is worth: I have another site that runs on the same platform and uses a similar JS implementation of google analytics code, too, but it HASN'T seen a drop in the bounce rate.

Chris_R

10:44 pm on Jan 4, 2011 (gmt 0)

It could be a bot. Some of the preview type bots (such as those run by search engines) can cause this to occur. Try narrowing it down by browser or city. You should be able to figure it out.

Planet13

6:23 am on Jan 6, 2011 (gmt 0)

It could be a bot. Some of the preview type bots (such as those run by search engines) can cause this to occur.

Wouldn't a bot cause the bounce rate to go UP? Because it would preview the page, but not go anywhere from there?!?!?!

Oddly enough, I have another site with the same hosting software / ecommerce software and running footer GA js code, and it HASN'T seen a drop in bounce rate...

Chris_R

6:39 am on Jan 6, 2011 (gmt 0)

Oops - you're right. Still - try narrowing it down in analytics. By page, browser, source - Also look at host (which will show other sites that may have used your code). You should be able to narrow it down.

Planet13

7:32 am on Jan 7, 2011 (gmt 0)

Also look at host (which will show other sites that may have used your code).

I will do that - if I can figure out how to...

I just realized the implications of what you are saying though: Possibly my content (including the GA code) has been scraped and a lot of the analytics data I am getting may not be from on my site. It might be from pages that are scraped and show all over the web.