Why are my stats different?

Data discrepancies are a common occurrence in digital advertising and can be confusing, especially for beginners.

Understanding why these differences happen and how to minimize them is essential for accurately measuring campaign performance. This article explains the causes of data discrepancies and provides practical tips to reduce click loss and improve data consistency.

What is Data Discrepancy?

• Data discrepancy occurs when statistics on one platform (e.g., TrafficStars) don’t match those on another (e.g., a third-party tracker or affiliate network).
• For example, you might see 100 clicks in TrafficStars, 90 in a tracker, and 85 in an affiliate network.
• These differences are often caused by multiple redirects, timeouts, ad blockers, or other technical factors.

Why Do Discrepancies Happen?

• Redirects: Each step in the user journey (TrafficStars → Tracker → Landing Page → Affiliate Network) increases the chance of click loss.
• Popunder Ads: TrafficStars records impressions, while trackers may interpret them as clicks, leading to mismatched data.
• Google Analytics Limitations: GA tracks sessions, not clicks, and may not register visits if the GA code isn’t loaded or is blocked by privacy tools.

How to Minimize Click Loss:

• Avoid Using Google Analytics: Use trackers that monitor redirects instead of sessions.
• Optimize Landing Page Speed: Ensure your landing page loads in under 2 seconds to reduce bounce rates.
• Test Website Performance: Regularly check your landing page for issues that could waste ad spend.
• Use Local Servers: If targeting specific regions, host your landing page on servers located in that area to reduce latency.

Acceptable Discrepancy Levels:

• A discrepancy of up to 20% is considered normal due to the inherent differences in how platforms track and report data.

In summary, data discrepancies between TrafficStars and third-party trackers are common and often caused by redirects, technical issues, or differences in tracking methods.

By avoiding Google Analytics, optimizing landing page speed, and using local servers, you can minimize click loss and improve data accuracy. Remember, a discrepancy of up to 20% is normal, and achieving perfect data matching isn’t always necessary.

Focus on consistent tracking practices to ensure your campaigns are as effective as possible.