When comparing session and page view data between Polar Pixel and other platforms (like Shopify or Google Analytics), you may notice differences in the reported numbers for the same date range. This can happen for several reasons:
1. Tracking Methods
Each platform tracks user interactions differently. The Polar Pixel uses server-side tracking, which can capture sessions that Google Analytics or Shopify might miss due to tracking blockers, cookies, or page load issues that can interfere with client-side tracking. However, because of these differences, we don’t expect the data to match across platforms.
2. Session Definitions
Different platforms define "sessions" in their own way. For instance, Google Analytics and Shopify end a session after 30 minutes of inactivity, at midnight, or when there’s a campaign change. Polar Pixel, on the other hand, ends a session after 20 minutes of inactivity. This variation in session definitions can result in different session counts.
3. Page View Metrics
You may also see discrepancies in page view counts, especially between Polar Pixel and Google Analytics 4 (GA4). In GA4, the screenPageViews metric counts both app screens and web pages viewed by users, including repeated views of the same page or screen. This means screenPageViews in GA4 combines events like screen_view and page_view. Polar Pixel, however, tracks only “web” page views, excluding app screens and repeated page views.
As a result, each platform may report different totals, and there isn’t a fixed rule about which one will be higher. Polar Pixel might sometimes show higher counts due to its ability to bypass certain tracking blockers, but these numbers are not directly comparable because each platform defines and collects page view data differently.
4. Data Processing Differences
Each service has its own data processing methods, which can lead to discrepancies. These include bot traffic filtering, data sampling, and time zone settings. These factors all influence session and page view totals, adding to the variation across platforms.
5. Cross-Domain Tracking
If your operations span multiple domains, correct cross-domain tracking is essential in platforms like Google Analytics to prevent session loss. Since the Polar Pixel is installed directly within your Shopify store’s domain, it is less likely to miss sessions as long as it’s set up correctly.
If you have any questions about your data, feel free to reach out to our Support Team via in-app live chat – we’re here to help!