How To Add Annotations To
The Google Analytics Graph
Can you remember exactly what you did 45 days ago that caused a traffic spike?
How about the dip 9 days before that?
And the other peak a week before that?….
While I can easily remember this weeks most recent changes that brought in traffic, keeping track of all up and down over an extended period just isn’t possible with the amount of other information I’m required to keep between my ears!
Also, data that’s living in my ears can not easily be offered to a coach, mentor, consultant when seeking advice on improving traffic!
Making Notes In Google Analytics
Fortunately, making small notes, known as “annotations” along the Google Analytics time-line is easy.
(All of this assumes of course that you have Google Analytics set up, the plugin installed if needed, and at least a couple of days data!)
1. Log into your Google Analytics account… select the domain you want to look at and click view report.
2. Now on the time-line (graph) click the datapoint that you want to associate a note with. This will open a small popup box that has a “Create New Annotation” button at the bottom.
3. Click “Create New Annotation” which will open a Annotation panel below the graph. Here you can enter the note and click Save.
Here you can see my note about my post getting “stumbled”…. as well as older annotations about the few days my analytics plugin (All-In-One Webmaster) was deactivated. These notes let me keep track of what was going on and did (or did not) yield more traffic.
4. Once you click save the annotation is added and a tiny “comment bubble” is added near the bottom of the time-line right below the data point. These bubbles let you easily check the note and know which points already have notes. Extremely Handy!
That’s all there is to it! A simple little way to make sure you don’t come back in six months or a year and wonder what some particular dip/spike was all about!
Thanks for reading! Hopefully this helps you understand how to add annotation notes to google analytics and spare yourself some headache down the road! If you like it, please share it, book mark it and leave me a comment! I look forward to hearing from you!
Kimberly
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey Kimberly, thanks for the cool tip, just added my first annotation
Thanks Kim, something I never thought about doing since I had some issues in the past which I am sure I will forget if I don’t capture them properly.
Nik invites you to read…How to find the right career coach
Hi Kim,
Thanks for very useful post.
It seems very easy to add annotations. I didn’t understand why you need to add annotations. Can you give me some example? Thanks.
Edyta invites you to read…Try Group Stress Relief Activities To Get Rid Of Stress Once And For All
That smashing information that everyone will benefit from knowing. Oh how I love all the geeky stuff that brings clarity to our businesses, there are always people we can share this stuff with!
Sadie-Michaela Harris invites you to read…By: Sadie-Michaela Harris
Thank you for sharing your the info with regards to adding annotations to
google analytics. It has helped me. Thank you so much!
kimberly invites you to read…By: corporate gift
Thanks a lot,Kim, for sharing this important information. I always use Google Analytics to control everything and to follow the statistics. And as far as I understood it will be useful for me to use annotations on it
Amanda invites you to read…Free TV Channel Video Facebook Template
Adding annotations helps us completely understand the analytics! really nice tip Kim.
Noel Addison invites you to read…5 Things to Look for in a Web Dev Company
You helped me a lot Kim! Especially on how to make notes in Google. I am glad that you taught me on how to use it.
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