How to read my logs?

Need some advice here...

[Herrmann22]

Ok, I can download my log files from my host but I'm not sure what to look for or how to read them. My goal is to see "who" is coming to my site. How can I tell if the logs are from ME working on my site through uploads, etc.. or someone else who is finding my site via search engines?

Thanks!

Scott

[jk3210]

>>How can I tell if the logs are from ME working on my site through uploads, etc.. or someone else who is finding my site via search engines?<<

Make sure your host has the "referrer" logging turned on for your log file. Many hosts don't automatically turn this feature on because it makes the log file much bigger.

The referrer info is what your log file analyzer program uses to determine who is looking at your site.

[ncsuk]

Assuming you have some program to do such.

Basially the logs will look like this...

213.86.203.202 - - [02/Jun/2003:08:27:57 -0400] "GET /images/seo.gif HTTP/1.0" 200 826 "-" "Mozilla/3.0 WebTV/2.3 (Compatible; MSIE 2.0)"
213.86.203.202 - - [02/Jun/2003:08:27:57 -0400] "GET /images/networking.gif HTTP/1.0" 200 1439 "-" "Mozilla/3.0 WebTV/2.3 (Compatible; MSIE 2.0)"
213.86.203.202 - - [02/Jun/2003:08:27:59 -0400] "GET /images/horz.gif HTTP/1.0" 200 624 "-" "Mozilla/3.0 WebTV/2.3 (Compatible; MSIE 2.0)"
213.86.203.202 - - [02/Jun/2003:08:28:09 -0400] "GET /images/web2.gif HTTP/1.0" 200 1338 "-" "Mozilla/3.0 WebTV/2.3 (Compatible; MSIE 2.0)"
210.18.120.135 - - [02/Jun/2003:09:24:16 -0400] "GET /images/logo2.jpg HTTP/1.1" 200 3844 "http://www.serp.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?t=59" "Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1)"
213.122.152.147 - - [02/Jun/2003:09:33:36 -0400] "GET /images/seo.gif HTTP/1.1" 200 807 "http://www.netcservices.co.uk/" "Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 5.5; Windows 98; Win 9x 4.90)"
213.122.152.147 - - [02/Jun/2003:09:33:37 -0400] "GET /images/networking.gif HTTP/1.1" 200 1420 "http://www.netcservices.co.uk/" "Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 5.5; Windows 98; Win 9x 4.90)"

From this you can see (From left to right)

IP address of users PC

The Date

File / page they requested

Referring URL

Browser used

You can get much more detailed logs than this. You should be able to get an idea of what pages people are going to the most from the amount of requests you are getting.

I would recommend you get some form of software to help you figure this out though because this is obviously a mess.

I use a program called Nettracker which is very good but I'll leave you to find one that is suited to you.

If you need more info or im way off the mark and you didnt want this info then ask again and ill tell you.

[cornwall]

>>I would recommend you get some form of software to help you figure this out though because this is obviously a mess. <<

Yes, you will get a headache trying to read raw log files.

Have a browse through site search at WebmasterWorld to get ideas for log analysers.

Some are free, some cost. But they will all let you download a time limited free copy to check how useful it is to you

[Mardi_Gras]

I'd suggest starting with this thread:

[webmasterworld.com...]