How To Fix Not Set In Google Analytics

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If you come across the term ‘not set’ while using Google Analytics, it may seem perplexing, particularly if you are unfamiliar with the tool. ‘Not set’ is simply a temporary label that Analytics assigns when it lacks data for the specified dimension. This can have a variety of causes, but in this blog post, we will provide instructions on resolving ‘not set’ in Google Analytics.

Why ‘Not Set’ Appears in Google Analytics

‘Not set’ will appear in your Google Analytics report when data hasn’t been received for the chosen dimension. This can occur due to a variety of reasons, such as improperly set tracking codes, redirection issues, or if a user blocks Google Analytics.

How to Fix ‘Not Set’ in Google Analytics

Fixing ‘not set’ involves a two-step process: diagnostics and solution implementation. Here’s how to go about it.

Diagnostic

The first step is to identify where the ‘not set’ is showing up in your reports. This will help you figure out where the issue is stemming from.

Solution Implementation

Here are three common solutions to fix ‘not set’ in Google Analytics.

1. Verify Your Tracking Code

The first thing you should do is to ensure your tracking code is implemented correctly. Here’s an example of what a typical Google Analytics tracking code looks like:

 
        <script>
            (function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){
            (i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),
            m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)
            })(window,document,'script','https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js','ga');

            ga('create', 'UA-XXXXXXXXX-X', 'auto');
            ga('send', 'pageview');
        </script>

2. Check for Redirection Issues

If your tracking code is set up correctly but you’re still seeing ‘not set’ in your reports, it might be due to redirection issues. Ensure there are no redirecting URLs on your site that could be causing the issue.

3. Check for User Opt-Outs

Another reason ‘not set’ can appear in your reports is if users are choosing to opt-out of Google Analytics tracking. To resolve this, you can encourage users to disable their opt-out settings or use a cookie consent solution.

Conclusion

Fixing ‘not set’ in Google Analytics may seem daunting, but with a little bit of detective work, you can find the cause and implement a solution. Always remember, the key to resolving ‘not set’ is understanding where it’s coming from and correcting the issue at its source.