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Inconsistency in Google Analytics API V1 Data Retrieval
Hey there, I’m pulling data through Google Analytics’ Data API V1 and aiming to collate data for a specific date range – say one day, for several dimensions (I’m breaking it up into 7 segments for each request). But here’s the snag: when I’m pulling the data, the row count isn’t adding up, even when I keep dimensions consistent, like date or firstSessionDate, hoping they’d return the same number of elements. Got any clues or insights into what’s up with that or how Google Analytics handles data display? I’ve attempted to cross-check this with the records I’ve exported from BigQuery, but no dice, they aren’t matching. In fact, BigQuery appears to be showing more data vis-à-vis the API.
My aim here is to find the exact same records for the identical dimensions so as to stitch the API responses together like a well-fitted jigsaw puzzle.
Oh, and by the way, I’m using the Python client API.
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2 Replies
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The discrepancy in data between the Google Analytics API and BigQuery exports could be caused by various factors. One possible reason is sampling. Google Analytics API sometimes uses sampling to quickly generate approximate numbers, especially when dealing with large reports. To get an accurate count, consider breaking down your queries into smaller date ranges. Furthermore, Google Analytics Data API includes a maximum limit of 10 million rows per request, so if you’re dealing with large volumes of data, you might need to retrieve the data in multiple requests.
The differences might also be due to how BigQuery and Google Analytics process and store data differently. BigQuery includes both session-level and hit-level data, while Google Analytics API only retrieves aggregated information. Also, some events might not be recorded or considered in Google Analytics due to filters or tracking code issues, but they are included in BigQuery.
Lastly, note that handling of joins can cause difference in row numbers when you’re using more than one dimension. Google Analytics API uses left outer join. If there is no match for right dimension, you’ll get one row less. Understanding these differences can help you make correct requests and interpret results accurately.
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The discrepancy is probably because Google Analytics API and BigQuery handle data sampling differently. Google Analytics samples your data when it gets too large, while BigQuery gives you all the raw records. That’s why BigQuery may show more data than API. It’s like watching a movie in 4K where you see everything (BigQuery) or in SD where some finer details are lost (Analytics API). You may want to use smaller data segments or switch to GA360 for unsampled data.
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