Best Ways To Figure Out Where "Direct Traffic" In Google Analytics Is Coming From? | Bloggers Lair | Yakezie Forums

Howdy Folks,

Every so often there will be a surge in Direct Traffic under the Acquisition-> All Traffic tab in Google Analytics. What are some of the best ways you've found to discover where that direct traffic source is coming from?

Definition of Direct Traffic is:

Traffic of which the referrer is unknown – so in addition to typing in the URL in the browser, accessing from browser bookmarks, direct traffic can mean:

* Accessing from links in email footers or newsletters without campaign identifications

* Accessing from links in office documents like Word, Excel, Powerpoint, or PDF documents

* Accessing via server or client redirects (301, meta refresh tags etc.) depending on server or browser settings

* Accessing from users in very security-restricted environments (no referers passed)

* Google images

* Tabbed browsing also generates "direct" referrals

* Anything that Google isn't able to identify the source for

The funny thing about the "Direct Traffic" is that it doesn't translate to revenue. When I have a big referral day, I'll see more revenue from all the ads. With the big direct traffic days, I don't see any bumps. Seems like it just pad the pageviews stat. Is this direct traffic really people? 

I haven't gone through the GA course. 

Interesting observation Joe. My affiliate revenue went up about 30% the rate of the increase in direct traffic surge but my CPC ad revenue went up 1 for 1. Probably just takes time to build trust.