Google Analytics Individual Qualification Practice Exam

What is not considered a "source" in Google Analytics by default?

1. email

2. (direct)

3. google

4. googlemerchandisestore.com

The correct answer is: email

In Google Analytics, sources are categorized into specific traffic origins that help track how users arrive at a website. A source typically refers to the origin of the traffic – it could be a search engine, another website, or a specific method like email. When considering the options provided, the term "email" typically refers to a medium rather than a source by itself. In Google Analytics, traffic that comes from email campaigns is usually tagged with 'medium' as "email" and attributed a source based on the specific email client or campaign that directed the visitor. Thus, while email is important for tracking, it does not qualify as a source in the strictest default sense within Google Analytics. On the other hand, "direct," "google," and "googlemerchandisestore.com" are all recognized as sources. "Direct" indicates traffic that arrives without a known source (such as typing the URL directly into the browser), while "google" represents users coming from Google search results. The term "googlemerchandisestore.com" is the specific domain that acts as a source when visitors navigate from that site to the analyzed site. This distinction highlights the varied nature of attributions within Google Analytics, particularly regarding how traffic is categorized and tracked