Talk:Bounce Rate

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[edit] Bounce Rate vs % Exit

This article defines bounce rate as equivalent to % exit in the first sentence. However, Google Analytics measures both of these numbers separately and they are not equal. I have had trouble determining the difference between the two. Forum posts on Google's forums have yielded answers that were not consistent or possible considering the figures in my analytics stats (i.e. one post says the denomenator for the former is the number of visits to the page whereas the denomenator for the latter is the number of visits to the site... this cannot be, though). It seems clear, though, that Google sees these numbers differently. Anyone want to shed some light on this? Thanks. --Wedding Expert 2007-09-06

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I think I have to take issue with the statement that anything over 50% or even 35% is cause for concern. The bounce rate on my blog is higher than that. But my repeat visitor % is also very high. In the case of a blog, people may only read the first page of posts, and there is no need to click on any other pages if they have already read them. Just my two cents. --Industry Outsider 09/24/2007

I agree with Wedding Expert and have altered the article to take this into account - Bounce rate is bounce divided by entries. Exit rate is exits divided by page views. We need to be careful in pointing this out - especially with the increase in use of GA (where it is not clear). I also agree with Industry Outsider - I wouldn't be concerned with higher bounce rates - you just need to work to bring them down, until your changes aren't making any difference. Quite often the bounce is due to where the users are coming from (ie wrong expectations) rather than the page itself. However I haven't altered this statement. --Alec penguin 10/02/2007 —Preceding unsigned comment added by Alec penguin (talk • contribs) 11:50, 2 October 2007 (UTC)