If you have been a long time user of analytics software such as Google Analytics, Clicky or Piwik you probably noticed a spike in undefined keywords. If you are new to the analytics world, then you probably just assume the programs do not properly track keywords.
I had recently finished a crucial redesign of a web site. Suddenly, I started finding keyword not defined within my Piwik reports. Back then I was not working with Google analytics, but I thought I would install it assuming that my redesign ruined my analytics software. As soon as I got Google Analytics set up I saw a lot of my traffic arrived from "not provided" keywords. So the good news was that I had not shattered my web site. Nonetheless how why couldn't I find out these keywords and phrases?
Not long ago, Google executed a whole new measure of protection for users of their search engine. This Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) of security maintains the user's search info confidential. This is great to preserve personal information. Not so great for the website owners on the other end getting undefined keywords.
SSL queries are automatically activated whenever users are logged into their Google accounts (that includes being logged into Google mail.) Secure queries are turned on by default on quite a few Internet browsers, which include Safari on iPhone. I just checked from my Chrome browser along with Safari on OS X, while not logged onto Google and searches were protected by default. Clearly, this is creating an increasing number of searches to appear as undefined keyword issues.
I go to the Visitors in Real Time view on Piwik and view my user's entry pages. Although it still uses the undefined keyword, I can see what page visitors entered from. If the keyword they used ranks well on Google it also gives you it's rank number. While this is not the perfect solution, you can at least get an idea of what people might have searched for to land on certain pages of your website.
I had recently finished a crucial redesign of a web site. Suddenly, I started finding keyword not defined within my Piwik reports. Back then I was not working with Google analytics, but I thought I would install it assuming that my redesign ruined my analytics software. As soon as I got Google Analytics set up I saw a lot of my traffic arrived from "not provided" keywords. So the good news was that I had not shattered my web site. Nonetheless how why couldn't I find out these keywords and phrases?
Not long ago, Google executed a whole new measure of protection for users of their search engine. This Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) of security maintains the user's search info confidential. This is great to preserve personal information. Not so great for the website owners on the other end getting undefined keywords.
SSL queries are automatically activated whenever users are logged into their Google accounts (that includes being logged into Google mail.) Secure queries are turned on by default on quite a few Internet browsers, which include Safari on iPhone. I just checked from my Chrome browser along with Safari on OS X, while not logged onto Google and searches were protected by default. Clearly, this is creating an increasing number of searches to appear as undefined keyword issues.
I go to the Visitors in Real Time view on Piwik and view my user's entry pages. Although it still uses the undefined keyword, I can see what page visitors entered from. If the keyword they used ranks well on Google it also gives you it's rank number. While this is not the perfect solution, you can at least get an idea of what people might have searched for to land on certain pages of your website.
About the Author:
Cindy R. is a graphic & web designer at StylishInk.com. Her website features a blog for new internet entepreneurs.
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