Why is Indeed.com traffic appearing as organic in Google Analytics?

[Kevin_P]

A large number of sessions in my client's Google Analytics account appear to come from medium: organic and source:Indeed. Since I'm focused on SEO for this project, I'd prefer that Indeed be treated as referral traffic. Any ideas for fixing this issue? Also, and I'm sure the answer is no, is there a way to fix the past data in Google Analytics that has already reported Indeed as an organic medium?

[Kevin_P]

It appears that Indeed.com is adding this tracking code and that it isn't being added within Google Analytics. The Indeed agent with whom I emailed said, "I reached out to my product team to confirm we can remove the token, but after removing the token you will not be able to track the organic traffic coming from Indeed through Google Analytics."

Not sure what this meant, I asked, "What is the token? What does it do? Is this token the reason that "=Indeed&utm_source=Indeed&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=Indeed" is being added to the URLs on the Indeed website? If we turn off the token, what happens? Wouldn't we still see this same traffic coming from Indeed, only included in the Google Analytics "Referrals" report instead of in the "Organic" report?"

Indeed's response: "If we turn off the token &utm_source=Indeed&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=Indeed, it will mean that we won't be able to track organic traffic coming from Indeed through Google Analytics."

Kind of vague. I'm still working on clarification, but the short answer is that Indeed is adding this tracking code and that this was not an action taken by my client within Google Analytics. My guess is that if I ask Indeed to turn off the token, the visits will appear as referral (as they should in my opinion). Hope this helps others!

[ThompsonPaul]

Here's the screenshot I was trying to include

https://imgur.com/VCoBaMO

P.

[ThompsonPaul]

In addition to the possibility Cat mentions, it's also possible someone has configured Indeed.com as an additional search engine in GA's Admin settings (Property > Tracking Info > Organic Search Sources - see screenshot next comment) As far as fixing the past data, you can't "change" it, but you could use a custom segment which filters it?

Let us know what you find!

Paul

(Tried to include screenshot, but Moz keeps barfing on submit.)

[Roman-Delcarmen]

Cat Burhenne-Sanderson

is right probably you need to look for the source of those links

[catbur]

That's weird! Perhaps the client put UTM tags in for the URL that's on Indeed.com?