How does cross-domain tracking work in Google Analytics?

How does cross-domain tracking work in Google Analytics?

In cross-domain tracking, we share cookie information between two or more domains. This domain can be a primary domain or subdomain. The cookie information that we pass from one domain to another is the client ID. This client ID is stored in the Google Analytics cookie _ga.

How do I install cross domain tracking?

To auto link my domains, I select more settings in Google Tag Manager. Then, I navigate to the Cross Domain Tracking drop down. In the auto-linking field, I enter each of my domains in a comma-separated string. After I double-check my settings, I can save my progress to enable my changes.

What is the referral exclusion list Google Analytics?

A referral exclusion list is the list of domains whose incoming traffic is treated as direct traffic (instead of referral traffic) by Google Analytics. Direct traffic is a Google Analytics session (or visit) which starts without a referrer being passed by a user’s web browser.

What is referral on Google Analytics?

Referrals in Google Analytics show you sites that “referred” visitors to your site by clicking a link. In evaluating Referrals, you’ll want to look at not only how much total traffic (Sessions and New Users) other sites are driving but also how effectively that traffic is adding to engagement on-site.

How to check referral exclusions in Google Analytics?

Click Delete domain to save. The best way to validate that the referral exclusion list is set up correctly is to use Google Tag Assistant Recordings. When you make a session that crosses domains, it can tell you instantly whether an extra session was created. View an example report that shows how Tag Assistant Recordings highlights the problem.

Why is cross domain tracking not possible in Google Analytics?

Consequently, _ga cookie set up by website ‘A’ can not (by default) be read/shared by website ‘B’ and vice versa. Because of this reason, by default, cross-domain tracking between two or more primary domains is not possible. Also worth noting, that by default, cross-web browsers tracking and cross-device tracking is also not possible.

What happens when a domain is excluded from analytics?

When your domain is in the exclusion list, then users can cross from one subdomain on your site to another without starting a new session. Without your domain in the exclusion list, when a user goes from one subdomain to another on your site, Analytics sees that as a referral from one hostname to another and starts a new session.

When to add a domain to the referral exclusion list?

When a user journey crosses from your first domain to your second domain, Analytics interprets that as the user having been referred by your first domain to your second domain, and Analytics creates a new session. If you want to be able to measure a single session across multiple domains, you need to add your domains to the referral exclusion list.