Google has resolved an issue that led to AI Mode search traffic being mistakenly categorized as ‘direct traffic’ instead of ‘organic traffic’ within Google Analytics.
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Discovery of the Attribution Problem
SEO experts began noticing discrepancies in traffic reports when AI Mode search results started showing unexpected data classifications.
Maga Sikora, an SEO director who specializes in AI search, was the first to identify the anomaly.
She alerted fellow marketers in the community, highlighting that the addition of a rel=’noopener noreferrer’ tag to AI Mode links was causing Google Analytics to misattribute the traffic source.
Google Acknowledges the Issue
Upon being informed, Google took swift action to address the identification problem.
John Mueller, Google’s Search Advocate, responded promptly to the concerns. He admitted that the misclassification was an error on Google’s part and assured that the bug was being addressed.
Mueller also mentioned that AI Mode data would soon be visible in Search Console as part of ongoing updates.
Swift Resolution and Current Status
The Google team worked diligently to correct the traffic attribution error in a timely manner. Within a few days, the issue was fixed.
Aleyda Solis, Founder at Orainti, confirmed that the problematic ‘noreferrer’ tag was no longer present in AI Mode links.
Subsequent analytics data now correctly labels AI Mode traffic as ‘organic,’ ensuring more accurate reporting.
Effect on SEO Reporting
The misclassification had potential implications for website analytics and marketing decisions.
Recommended Actions
To mitigate any adverse effects from the bug, SEO professionals should take specific steps.
Experts suggest auditing recent traffic data for unusual increases in direct traffic, documenting the affected timeframes, updating client reports to reflect the temporary issue, and strategizing for effective AI Mode traffic tracking moving forward.
Websites that experienced AI Mode traffic during the bug period might have seen their direct traffic figures inflated, potentially skewing conversion rates and budget allocations.
The Bottom Line
Google’s prompt identification and resolution of the AI Mode traffic attribution bug underscores the company’s commitment to providing accurate analytics for marketers.
SEO professionals should now benefit from corrected traffic sources, allowing for more precise analysis and strategic decision-making.
