How long does Google Analytics credit a source?

[bearpaw]

I was under the impression that GA credits the source with a conversion if it is the source for the current session but it seems that if the user returns later that the source may still be credited. Is this the case? How long does GA credit a source?

[Ray-pp]

Hi Tyler - No problem, the community has helped me out quite a bit and I enjoy sharing what limited knowledge I have.

1. Is there a simple way to have Analytics only return data provided in default groups (Organic, Email, Direct, etc.) rather than using regex filters?

Are you referring to the 'Channels' report? Under Acuisition > All Traffic > Channels GA displays metrics grouped by high level channels - this would be Organic, Email, Direct like you've mentioned. You'll want to make sure that your traffic is properly tagged so that the channels are reporting properly. E.g. your email traffic may need to be tagged as such to show up under that channel.

Also, You can create custom channel groupings if you want to group similar sources together and view them in the channels report. That would be in GA Admin > Account > Property > View (view level of a property) and then 'Channel Settings' > 'Channel Grouping'

2. Is it possible to change the attribution model outside of conversion tab for private dashboards, etc..?

Unfortunately, I do not think you can change the attribution model outside of the default attribution reports. I could be wrong and some further Googling may prove that, but I haven't created custom reports with different attribution models.

[bearpaw]

Ray,

Thanks for the continued support. There are a few that I am using to measure organic search where the numbers are off by 1-2% but I think I can give you a more simple example and still enable you to help me out. One email report simply uses the regex (email|bronto) for filtering source/medium. The conversion numbers for this filter come out similiarly - 1-2% more than what Google shows for email conversions within the LND attribution model tool.

1. Is there a simple way to have Analytics only return data provided in default groups (Organic, Email, Direct, etc.) rather than using regex filters?
2. Is it possible to change the attribution model outside of conversion tab for private dashboards, etc..?

[Ray-pp]

Correct, the LND attribution model is the default attribution model that Google Analytics uses in their reports. So, if you're viewing a report that is not the Model Comparison report, you are seeing data based off the LND model.

I would have to look at your reports specifically to see why there is a difference. Are you making sure that both reports are not using 'sampled data' ? Sampled data would cause discrepancies.

[bearpaw]

Are you saying that LND is the default way of measuring conversions in GA? When looking at a report that displays conversions over a time frame those numbers are just slightly different that what LND shows for that same conversion over the same time frame.

[Ray-pp]

The normal conversion attribution for Google Analytics is the Last Non Direct click - LND. This means, the last source clicked on by the user will receive the credit.

A person could come through organic search, leave the site, then come back directly and convert - that conversion would be credited to the organic source.

You can view different attribution models through the Conversions > Attribution > Model Comparison report. But, LND click is the standard attribution model.