How to use the date selector in Google Analytics.

1. Google Analytics Intro - Reports Date Range Selector

2. Google Analytics Intro - Reports To adjust the date range to something other than the default last 30 days, click anywhere on the date area. This expands that section to show the: Date Range Selector Which shows the previous 30 days (not including the current day).

3. Google Analytics Intro - Reports Selecting quick data ranges: Week: Click on the rounded portion of the desired week. Day: Click on the individual date. Month: Click on the month name

4. Google Analytics Intro - Reports "Compare to Past" feature Today is July 1st, so by default the month of June is selected for traffic to view. Checking the Compare to Past option allows you to compare your date range with the identical previous period. In this case it selects the month of May which is exactly the Month period prior to the month of June. Graph comparing traffic based on date ranges selected.

5. Google Analytics Intro - Reports Data Comparison The metrics (numbers) reflect: Green = increase over period. Red = Decrease over period. * Bounce rate is the inverse. If positive will show red as this is not ideal.

6. Google Analytics Intro - Reports Optimize Comparison Date Range If the default second date range (May in this case) does not align the days of the week with June: Mon - Mon Tues - Tues etc... Then you should attempt to adjust the date range to match the days of the week between the months. In ours June starts on a Tuesday, so the May data range was adjusted to start on a Tuesday also.

8. Google Analytics Intro - Reports Today we covered: Date Range Selector Contact me for more information on any item in the series . [email_address] Web Analytics Consultants