Users online count differs from Google Analytics real-time count

  • Resolved TheArcturian

    (@thearcturian)


    10 years, 4 months ago

    I noticed yesterday when one of our new articles went “viral” that the plugin Users Online showed around 30 users online while the number from Google Analytics real-time statistics showed 280 users.

    Users Online plugin have 5 minues timeframe (300 seconds), just like Google Analytics.

    I noticed in Google Analytics that it was around 60% mobile phones, 25% tablets and 15% computers. Is your plugin missing out counting the mobile/tablet users?

    https://ww.wp.xz.cn/plugins/wp-useronline/

Viewing 2 replies - 1 through 2 (of 2 total)
  • Plugin Author Lester Chan

    (@gamerz)

    10 years, 4 months ago

    Google Analytics uses session and cookies to count. This plugin uses simpler way a combination of IP and user agent. So there will be cases where where the same office people may be counted as 1 if they use the same browser to visit (right down to the version) as office normally share one outgoing IP.

    If GA is accurate for you, stick to it. For my case, it doesn’t really make much of a difference as I don’t get so much traffic on my blog.

    Also to note, GA don’t count bots, but this plugin does.

    Thread Starter TheArcturian

    (@thearcturian)

    10 years, 4 months ago

    Thank you very much for your honest and explanatory answer. That made it very clear what is going on in the background.

    We have a larger audience so having precise statistics is important for us so we will stick to GA for now.

    I’ve been using your plugin for 8 years and been enjoying it all the way. Thank you for the journey and the info you have given us over those years! 🙂

Viewing 2 replies - 1 through 2 (of 2 total)

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