Demystifying Google Analytics Metrics: Page Views vs. Unique Page Views

As the author, I aim to clarify the distinctions between Page Views and Unique Page Views in Google Analytics, addressing common confusion, especially when creating custom reports.

Understanding Sessions (a.k.a. Visits):

• A session is a single visit to a website, encompassing all pages viewed.

• Each interaction within a given time frame constitutes a session.

• Google Analytics uses cookies to record sessions, which expire after 30 minutes of inactivity (modifiable).

What is Page View?

• Represents the total number of single viewings of a specific page.

• Recorded each time a page loads in the user’s browser within a session.

• Every refresh or return to the page counts as a new page view, even within a single session.

What is Unique Page View?

• Indicates the number of individual visitors who have viewed your pages.

• Eliminates multiple views of the same page within a single session.

• Counts each page view once per unique visitor, irrespective of multiple views within a session.

How to Use Page View and Unique Page View in Custom Reports:

• Unique Page Views is a subset of total Page Views.

• Discrepancies in metrics are often due to not using them correctly in custom reports.

• Example scenario explained: A single session can result in multiple unique page views if the user views multiple pages.

Conclusion: By grasping the nuances between Page Views and Unique Page Views, you can create more accurate custom reports in Google Analytics. Understanding these metrics ensures a clearer interpretation of user interactions on your website.

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