In the interest of trying to generate more meaningful insights, I have inserted the following Event snippet into my Google Analytics Tracking code:
setTimeout("gtag('event', 'adjusted bounce rate', {'event_label':'more than 45 sec'})",45000 );
As you can see, I want to be able to class all page visits at 45 seconds or more, as being 'Engaged' whether they Bounce or not.
As I understand, Analytics software measures the time spent on a page, using the following simple equation:
(Timestamp of 2nd Internal Page Load Time) - (Timestamp of 1st Internal Page Load Time) = Time spent on page.
In the event that there is no '2nd Internal Page', the Analytics will assign 'Timestamp of 2nd Internal Page Load Time' a '0' after the 30 minute session has surpassed. Thus, generating a Bounce.
Common instances of when no 2nd Internal Page is generated being:
- Visitor clicks back;
- Visitor selects an on page External Link;
- Visitor loses connection.
Is there anyway I could modify the Google Analytics code, to be able to factor in the Load time of an External Link in order to get a more accurate 'Time Spent on Page' metric in the event of a Bounce?
Possible Solutions
- Google Analytics: Does Google Analytics have some kind of other event, which tells you how long someone has been on your page for, even if they select an external link? I have yet to come across it.
- Maths Logic: Maybe there could be a way to modify the tracking code to have the following Event calculation:
(Event: Clicked on External Link/Back Button Timestamp) - Timestamp of 1st Internal Page Load Time Time = Time spent on page if external link/back button is selected.