Zombie Traffic from Google and Traffic Shaping/Throttling - Analysis

[tedster]

We need a dedicated thread to look at this odd phenomenon being reported by a subset of our members. It really isn't about any particular "update" because the apparent signs have been reported since 2008.

I have personally seen just a few examples of traffic shaping and nothing I could really call zombie traffic, but I think it's time for all of us to take the reports seriously and at least give advice on how to analyze what these webmasters are seeing.

To truly make sense of this, we'll need to pull in many areas of Google that we rarely talk about. This ain't your daddy's SEO! Here's a pretty good overview, from 2010: [webmasterworld.com...]

[TheMadScientist]

Not to nit-pick, but I believe that difference was from a script, not log files. I'm a big believer in log files, it's what allows a deeper understanding of individual users and overall user interaction.

I have no issues with JS to collect information.

Really, which is it?

[bluntforce]

Both. I said I use log files along with Google Analytics and Piwik. You can can continue to ignore that if you like.

Log files are typically collected on a daily basis with a fairly complete picture of visitor interaction. I have no idea what the script being referenced includes, all I can comment on is what has been presented. What has been presented is very limited timeframe visitor interactions.

If you feel 6 minute chunks of data are good enough to draw conclusions from, we can just disagree.

[TheMadScientist]

What's been presented is complete access to watch the script on a live site if you request it via sticky since the link can't be posted. What's been posted are some samples of the data seen for us to review. All you have to do to know more is read the thread and ask for access to the live information.

And don't criticize by 'nit picking' on script use in one post, then trying to say something different in another and you won't have me all confused. I didn't snip or misquote your initial post relating to script use. It has Zero, None, Not a single reference to time in it or amount of data presented in it. It says a script was used rather than log files and you're a firm believer in log files.

So in one place you're saying one thing, explicitly, and another you're saying something different, explicitly. They're conflicting statements, so don't say I'm choosing to ignore anything, what I did was chose not to ignore the definite conflict of your position in your two statements, so we could know if you're 'just nit picking' and choosing to not look or if you're really approaching things with an open mind and trying to find an answer to the question.

[bluntforce]

So everyone else has accessed the script and conclusively solved the zombie issue?

All you have to do to know more is read the thread and ask for access to the live information.

Seriously?

[TheMadScientist]

If you read the thread, you will find it's stated on some sites it's been determined to be mobile visitors. The questions you're asking and statements you're making tell me you're here to argue more than anything, so have fun with that with other people, because you're obviously not following the thread and actually paying attention to what's being said.

Where we are now is exactly what I wanted to know ... Are you credible, following the thread and really looking for a solution or not, and from your posts and questions, you're obviously not.

[xcoder]

@bluntforce

I use stat counter + piwik + AWStats and non could give me the real sense of what is really going on until i started spending some more time during various times of the day watching the real time data across my websites.

Imagine you run a chain of supermarkets and suddenly everyone stopped buying for no apparent reason while you consistently continue to get the same amount of shoppers going through the doors.

What would be the first thing YOU as a manger should do?... looking at your server logs would only confirm that the same number of viewers came trough the doors and spent the time they've spent over certain aisles. The data is quantified and "old fashioned". You will not be able to clearly or easily see the hourly shifts/shuffles Google now use to keep everyone guessing.

To get the real picture, you as the chain manager MUST get down to the floor and spend some time next to the tills and gauge shoppers behavior and state of mind *as it happens*, in real time and throughout the day. One shopper at a time.

Just ask for a link and you can see for yourself...

[edited by: xcoder at 11:15 pm (utc) on Dec 15, 2012]

[taberstruths]

I don't know if this will help you guys or add to the discussion but you have talked about zombie traffic, foreign traffic, mobile operating systems ect. Here is what I have recently notices.

Foreign traffic coming coming to U.S. relevant pages from Myramar and Abu Dubai. They have been using various operating systems and browsers. They direct, leave no referrer at all, and do not click through to anything.

My thought is this. Has Google outsourced quality testers?

[TheMadScientist]

My thought is this. Has Google outsourced quality testers?

That, or something along those lines is a very interesting question, in my opinion.

< continued here: [webmasterworld.com...] [/2]

[1][edited by: tedster at 3:45 pm (utc) on Dec 17, 2012]