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Official statement

Currently, there is no way to differentiate referrers between Google web search, image search, and video search for a detailed analysis of conversions and user behaviors beyond what Search Console provides.
22:57
🎥 Source video

Extracted from a Google Search Central video

⏱ 27:45 💬 EN 📅 28/07/2022 ✂ 18 statements
Watch on YouTube (22:57) →
✂ Other statements from this video 17 ▾
  1. 1:35 How does Googlebot's 15 MB limit influence your SEO strategy?
  2. 2:01 Is it true that Googlebot only crawls the first 15 MB of HTML files?
  3. 3:03 How is the new video indexing report transforming your SEO strategy?
  4. 3:03 How can you leverage the new Video Indexing Report in Search Console?
  5. 5:47 Is it true that a noindex on an error page can lead to your URL being deindexed?
  6. 6:32 How does support for the M3U8/HLS format influence your video SEO?
  7. 6:52 Is it true that Google supports the M3U8/HLS format for videos?
  8. 8:55 Should you continue publishing even when facing canonicalization issues?
  9. 13:23 Why is a hierarchical URL structure a game-changer for SEO?
  10. 14:06 Why should you favor logical directories for your SEO URLs?
  11. 17:24 How can you ensure your site stays visible and doesn’t get excluded due to similarity?
  12. 17:44 How can you make your pages stand out to prevent Google from omitting them?
  13. 19:49 Why is the 15 MB limit on uncompressed files crucial for SEO?
  14. 19:49 How does Googlebot's 15 MB limit affect your SEO strategy?
  15. 21:23 How does the 15 MB limit impact your JavaScript management for SEO?
  16. 21:23 Why is the 15 MB limit before JavaScript execution crucial for your SEO?
  17. 22:57 Why are Google search referrers still undifferentiated?
📅
Official statement from (4 years ago)
TL;DR

Google does not allow for the distinction between referrers from web search, images, and videos. This complicates the detailed analysis of user behaviors. SEO professionals must rely on Search Console for segmented data.

What you need to understand

What does this mean for tracking?‍

At present, it is impossible to know exactly where traffic is coming from via Google, whether it's from web search, images, or videos. This results in a lack of clarity in fine behavioral analysis beyond what Search Console offers.

  • Limitation of traffic source segmentation.
  • Data consolidated in Search Console.

    Why doesn’t Google provide this data?‍

    Google seems to want to centralize analysis through their tools. It could also be a matter of managing privacy and data security. Transparency on this issue from their side is not complete.

    • Details unavailable on Google’s official stance.
    • Impact on SEO optimization strategy.

SEO Expert opinion

Does this statement align with observed practices?‍

Yes, it confirms long-standing observations regarding the lack of segmentation of referrers. Experienced SEOs already notice this in their daily practice.

Is there a significant impact on SEO strategies?‍

This limitation presents a challenge for refining optimization strategies, especially for large brands that finely segment their content. It could influence targeting priorities.

Is there a chance this could change in the future?‍

Hard to say. The lack of explicit data from Google on this subject leaves uncertainty. A change could be positive, but nothing is certain.

Warning: These limitations require a constant reevaluation of analysis and reporting strategy.

Practical impact and recommendations

What should be done practically?‍

Continue using Search Console for primary tracking. In the absence of native segmentation, use other metrics to understand your users' behavior.

  • Maximize the use of Search Console.
  • Complement with third-party analytics tools.

    What mistakes should be avoided?‍

    Do not overanalyze overall data. Without a clear distinction of sources, this can lead to strategic errors.

    • Avoid hasty conclusions.
    • Do not overly separate data without solid support.
      In conclusion, despite the limitations, it is crucial to incorporate these constraints into a broader strategic approach. For personalized support and to refine your strategy, consider collaborating with SEO experts.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Google prévoit-il de détailler ces referrers à l'avenir?
Google n'a pas communiqué d'évolution future à ce sujet pour l'instant.
Comment améliorer l'analyse SEO sans ces données?
Utilisez d'autres outils analytiques pour compléter les informations fournies par Search Console.
Quel impact cela a-t-il sur le reporting client?
Cela limite la granularité des données à présenter, nécessitant des explications sur la nature des referrers.
🏷 Related Topics
Domain Age & History Images & Videos Search Console

🎥 From the same video 17

Other SEO insights extracted from this same Google Search Central video · duration 27 min · published on 28/07/2022

🎥 Watch the full video on YouTube →

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