Comparing Google Analytics and Facebook Analytics

Google Analytics vs Facebook Analytics

Google and Facebook are two different internet companies. One is a search engine, meanwhile the other is a social media network. Due to their goals and their aims being different, it is only apt that their analytics differ. Here we discuss Google analytics vs Facebook analytics. 

Difference Between Clicks and Sessions

This difference starts from basic clicks and leads to sessions. For example, numerous Facebook clicks within 30 minutes is considered as one by Google. However, the same clicks are considered more than one by Facebook. Google counts it in session whereas Facebook counts in clicks. This is because there are a lot of things that are considered. Similarly, one click on the session in and out will be counted as two sessions by Google. However, Facebook will only count it as one click. These things cause the basic foundation of the analytics to differ. Since both the sites consider the same thing differently, the end results of the analytics differ. 

Cookies

Facebook also follows people, and does not accept cookies. For Google to track you, JavaScript and cookies must be on. It is only if cookies are enabled that Google can track you. Also, in modern times due to people turning cookies off, Google is facing difficulties. People are on Google for several sessions yet they aren’t recorded due to this. People turn their tracking off due to being scared of invasion of privacy. However, because Facebook does not require these things to be on, they record several more clicks and impressions.

Data Storage

This is why overall Google records lesser data than Facebook does. If a user removes their cookies from their browser, Google will retain data because the information gets registered in the Google database. However, if the data is cleared on Facebook, then the data will be lost. This is because Facebook doesn’t store their information on other platforms. 

Cross Devising and Cross-session

Google is also not able to track cross devising. This means opening the same site from different places is not traceable because Google is not equipped with detecting this change of device. This is the reason why Google always ends up under-reporting. Google ends up not analyzing a lot of their sessions due to this inability. However, Facebook is able to record every cross-session which is the reason why they can track more sessions. Facebook detects every change of device and every session made on it. Google also records one click as one conversion. This means clicking on an ad several times on Google will be recorded as one.

Different Analytics Results

Where Google counts each click as just one session, Facebook counts them individually, and this is why their analytics differ. The criteria for both Google and Facebook differ greatly because of their purpose and design. Due to them having different considerations, they have different analytics results. Though they function mostly the same, the figures differ greatly because of their numeric consideration.

This brings us to the end of our discussion on Google Analytics vs Facebook Analytics.