Have you ever signed into your Google Analytics account and discovered that certain data is marked as “not set”? This can be a source of frustration and confusion, and I can relate. Thankfully, I’ve discovered some techniques for eliminating these “not set” labels and obtaining more precise data in Google Analytics. In this article, I will outline my detailed method for removing “not set” from Google Analytics, including some personal tips along the way.
Understanding “Not Set” in Google Analytics
Before we dive into removing “not set” from Google Analytics, let’s take a moment to understand what it actually means. In Google Analytics, “not set” is a label that appears when the information about a particular dimension is missing or not available. This can happen for various reasons, such as improperly configured tracking codes or missing parameters in your URLs.
When “not set” appears in your Google Analytics reports, it can affect the accuracy and reliability of your data. It becomes difficult to make informed decisions about user behavior, conversions, and overall performance without complete and accurate data.
Step 1: Check Your Tracking Code
The first step in removing “not set” from Google Analytics is to ensure that your tracking code is properly installed on your website. Start by navigating to the website you want to track and view the source code. Look for the Google Analytics tracking code snippet, which should start with <script> and contain your tracking ID.
If you can’t find the tracking code snippet or it appears to be incomplete, you’ll need to re-install or update your tracking code. Visit the Google Analytics website, go to the Admin section, and navigate to the tracking code settings. Generate a new tracking code snippet or update the existing one, and then reinstall it on your website.
Step 2: Enable Ecommerce Tracking
If you are running an ecommerce website and want to track transactions and revenue accurately, you need to enable ecommerce tracking in Google Analytics. This step is crucial to avoid “not set” labels in your ecommerce reports.
To enable ecommerce tracking, go to the Admin section of your Google Analytics account and navigate to the View settings. Under the Ecommerce Settings section, toggle the Ecommerce tracking switch to ON. Make sure to also enable Enhanced Ecommerce if you’re using it.
Step 3: Link Google Analytics with Google Search Console
Another common reason for “not set” labels in Google Analytics is the absence of linking between your Google Analytics and Google Search Console accounts. By linking these two accounts, you can gain valuable insights about your website’s organic search performance.
To link Google Analytics with Google Search Console, go to the Admin section of your Google Analytics account and navigate to the Property settings. Under the Google Search Console section, click on the “Adjust Search Console” button and follow the prompts to link your accounts.
Step 4: Review URL Parameters and Filters
If you’ve followed the previous steps and “not set” still persists in your Google Analytics reports, it’s time to review your URL parameters and filters. “Not set” labels can appear when there are missing or incorrect parameters in your URLs.
Check your website’s URLs and ensure that they are properly structured with relevant parameters. If you’re using filters in your Google Analytics view settings, review them to make sure they are not causing any issues with data collection.
Conclusion
Removing “not set” from Google Analytics is a crucial step in improving the accuracy and reliability of your data. By checking your tracking code, enabling ecommerce tracking, linking Google Analytics with Google Search Console, and reviewing URL parameters and filters, you can eliminate the “not set” labels and gain valuable insights into your website’s performance.
Remember, accurate data is the key to making informed decisions and optimizing your website for better results. Take the time to review and fix any issues that may be causing “not set” labels in your Google Analytics reports, and enjoy a more comprehensive understanding of your users and their behavior.