Google Analytics Dimensions and Metrics

We have talked about how Google analyzes and categorizes data into different "clusters" to create reports. At the same time, these "clusters" are organized by metrics and dimensions. According to Google's support page, metrics are quantitative measurements, such as the total number of sessions, while dimensions are attributes of your date, like browser and operating system.

When creating a report, you can filter your data by specific metrics and dimensions you wish to see to make the information more relevant to your own purposes. However, Google Analytics has some rules as to what type of metrics can be paired with what type of dimensions, and vice versa. To make things easier for the every-day user, Google Analytics published released the Dimensions & Metrics Explorer, an article that contains a list of all dimensions with valid combinations of metrics.

So if I need to create a report that analyzes my web pages, I can look up "Page Tracking" to see what other dimensions are available for me to use under Google Analytics and what metrics are valid combinations to view this information.

After analyzing the valid combinations, I can create a customized report to show me exactly what I am interested in seeing. For this example, I want to see what web page has the highest exit rate and the number of pageviews.

To create my customized report, I will go to the "Customization" > "Custom Reports" and "+New Custom Report."

Because I am analyzing my individual web pages, I will name this report "Page Titles." To set the metrics, select "+ add metrics." Instead of searching through the drop-down menu, it is easier to search the metrics you are interested in. So in this case, exits, and pageviews. For the "Dimension Drilldowns," I want to look at page titles. You also have the option to add a filter to your report and select which view to view your report under. Once you are happy with your choices, hit the "Save" button. Your customized report will appear on the next screen.

You can create customized reports on any valid combinations of metrics and dimensions to provide you with the exact information you are looking for in Google Analytics.