It’s understandable that you use dimensions and metrics together in Google Analytics to generate reports. But what is a dimension in Google Analytics, really? Let’s find out!
What Is a Dimension in Google Analytics?
A dimension in Google Analytics is a data point used to generate an analytics report. It is defined by a combination of attributes, such as location, browser type, and date. These dimensions can be used to segment your data so that you can better understand how users interact with your site. For example, you might want to segment your data by eCommerce vs. non-eCommerce users, or by bounce rate or pageviews.
You can also use dimensions to create custom reports or to connect to the analytics API. Ultimately, dimensions are a powerful tool that can help you better understand your data and make more informed decisions about your website.
What Are the Different Types of Dimensions in Google Analytics?
Now that we have an idea how to answer the question “what is a dimension in Google Analytics”, let’s take a look at the different types of dimensions available.
There are four main types of dimensions in Google Analytics:
- Hit-level dimensions: These dimensions are associated with a single pageview, event, or transaction. Examples include landing page, source/medium, and keyword.
- Session-level dimensions: These dimensions are associated with a user’s session on your website. Examples include type of session and referral path.
- User-level dimensions: These dimensions are associated with a single user. Examples include age group, gender, and interests.
- Product-level dimensions: These dimensions are associated with a product or transaction. Examples include product name and category.
How to Use Dimensions in Google Analytics
With an even more detailed answer the question “what is a dimension in Google Analytics”, not to mention the different types of dimensions available, let’s take a look at how to use them.
There are two main ways to use dimensions in Google Analytics:
- Segmentation: You can use dimensions to segment your data so that you can better understand how users interact with your site. For example, you might want to segment your data by eCommerce vs. non-eCommerce users, or by bounce rate or pageviews.
- Custom Reports: You can use dimensions to create custom reports. For example, you could create a report that shows the top 10 keywords that led to your site, or the top 10 referral paths.
How to Create Custom Dimensions in Google Analytics
Custom dimensions allow you to include additional information in your Google Analytics report, such as the dimension value or analytics server. You can also use custom dimensions to segment your traffic by device category, location, or any other criteria that you specify. To create a custom dimension, simply log into your Google Analytics account and navigate to the “Admin” tab.
Under the “Property” section, click on “Custom Dimensions” and then click the “+New Custom Dimension” button. Enter a name for your dimension and choose the scope that you would like to apply to it. Once you have saved your changes, you will be able to select your custom dimension in the reporting interface.
What Is a Metric in Google Analytics?
With the answer to the question “what is a dimension in Google Analytics” somewhat explained, what about a metric? It is a data point that is used to generate an analytics report. It is defined by a combination of attributes, such as location, browser type, and date. These metrics can be used to segment your data so that you can better understand how users interact with your site.
You can also use metrics to create custom reports or to connect to the analytics API. Ultimately, metrics are a powerful tool that can help you better understand your data and make more informed decisions about your website.