Forcing Google Analytics to Show Real Time Data

June 6, 2008

As I was chatting with my friend about Google analytics, he told me that Google analytics doesn’t show real time data. So I went to the analytics dashboard and I found this question – “ How long does it take to see report data ?

Answer:

Google Analytics generally updates your reports every 24 hours. This means that it could take 24 hours for data to appear in your account after you have first installed the tracking code.

So according to Google analytics, the answer is – No way to get real time data from google analytics. Infact, there is one way! I wouldn’t like to call this as a Google Hack, it is just a mistake from google analytics team :P

Real Time Tracking from Google Analytics:

Just go to your Google analytics page and have a look at the right top which reads “My analytics Accounts”. You can find the date range feature and next to that there is arrow pointing downwards (see the image) which allows you to set custom date.

Google_analytics_Real

Just click on that arrow and you  will be presented with a calendar showcasing dates from the past month. Select the date range (include the current date) and then click on Apply button.

ScreenShot1

The page refreshes and Viola! You can see the real time statistics for your blog!

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{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }

Sumesh July 16, 2009 at 2:11 pm

Funny, I’ve been doing this ever since I started using GA. And it still isn’t real-time, I notice stat inaccuracies for at least an hour, so this post is still misleading :)

Reply

Anthony King June 19, 2009 at 6:45 pm

This is good BUT it’s not “real time”

It takes maybe an hour or even two hours for the results to be updated…..they will usually pop up at some point after refreshing.

Either way, very good!

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Ashok July 3, 2008 at 5:20 pm

No i don’t think like so.

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Sumesh June 19, 2008 at 1:07 am

Good tip….I’ve been using this mostly, although my intention was to get the numbers for the day and not for realtime stats.

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Justin Copeland June 17, 2008 at 4:14 am

I have been using Woopra (http://www.woopra.com/) for about a week now and it shows real time stats very nicely. I can even use it alongside to Google Analytics for their funneling down but if you want to know what a visitor is doing at your site, at this exact moment, check out Woopra.

Just as a disclaimer, I have no attachments to Woopra other than thinking it’s a kick ass analytics package.

Reply

Sandip June 12, 2008 at 1:10 am

Thats Great Trick, But ya it still has 2 hours Lag. not so Real time data like Woopra Gives

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Gaurav June 10, 2008 at 7:21 am

Old trick… but someone had to publish it :D

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Swastik June 10, 2008 at 5:23 am

Thanks Siddharth,

Nice tip.

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Steve Yu June 9, 2008 at 10:31 am

I use it frequently to view latest traffic.

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Rockstar Sid June 8, 2008 at 1:17 pm

@Everyone –> Thanks for the comment :-) God bless everyone!!

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MoiN June 8, 2008 at 6:23 am

hahaha cool trick :) – though, I only use analytics once after the day has ended =)

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Melvin June 8, 2008 at 6:00 am

great… i do not really know this technique… thanks..

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Rob June 7, 2008 at 4:36 pm

I have been using that trick for a while now. There is still a short two hour lag, but good enough for me. When using this tip keep an eye out for an hourly link and really know what’s going on for that day. The link is usually found near the header of the results.

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ajay June 7, 2008 at 12:51 pm

thanks but i am using it from last one month

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Siddharth June 7, 2008 at 2:05 am

Nice trick :)
Althouygh I knew this ever since I Started using GAS :P

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Agent 001 June 7, 2008 at 12:00 am

Nice trick. I will try it myself.

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Rajaie AlKorani June 6, 2008 at 2:39 pm

That is one sweet trick!

Reply

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