"Hits" are a core concept that represents the basic building block of data tracking and analysis in Google Analytics.
Here is all you need to know… or you could just use Simple Analytics. Simple and privacy-friendly. No complexity. No cookies. Just the data you need in a simple dashboard.
Alright, back to Google Analytics.
What is a Hit?
A hit in Google Analytics refers to any user interaction with your website that results in data being sent to the Analytics server.
Google Analytics has limits on the number of hits that can be sent, depending on your Google Analytics plan. Exceeding these limits can result in data loss or additional charges.
This means that websites that collect many hits (for instance, because they set many custom events) can easily find themselves above the cap even at moderate traffic.
Hit Types
Each hit records a specific type of interaction. Types of hits include:
- Pageview Hits: Generated each time a page is loaded.
- Event Hits: Triggered by interactions that don’t involve a page load, like clicks on a link or a video play.
- E-commerce Hits: Related to online shopping activities, like adding items to a cart.
- Social Interaction Hits: Linked to social media actions, such as likes or shares.
Custom metrics such as custom events can also result in hits.
Final Thoughts
Hits are a key element in how Google Analytics tracks and reports on user interactions with your website. They form the basis of the intricate web of data that provides insights into your site's performance and user behavior.
Google Analytics is great, but also complex and a bit clunky. If you just want a straightforward dashboard with the insights you need, GA is not a great place to start. Additionally, Google Analytics is a privacy-invasive tool and requires an annoying cookie banner.
That's why we built Simple Analytics, a privacy-friendly and simple analytics tool - no personal data, no cookies, just the insights you need in a straightforward dashboard.
If this resonates with you, feel free to give Simple Analytics a spin (it's free). You just need to add the script and off you go. This takes about one minute.