How relevant is the bounce rate displayed in your Google reporting? My bounce rate is about 50%.

First, let me say Google Analytics is one of the best website statistical programs in the market, it is free and a definite must for all webmasters. Having said that, we are going to pick on one statistic provided which we believe has no apparent value. At the very least, we feel has some weak points. The Bounce Rate statistic. Now the number of unique visitors and the demographics, how they found our site, etc are all excellent. Cannot say the same for the bounce rate…

Your Website Bounce Rate

The apparent formula used to calculate bounce rate is: Bounce Rate = Total Number of Visits Viewing One Page ÷ Total Number of Visits

The Bounce Rate for a single page is the number of visitors who enter the site at a page and leave within the specified timeout period without viewing another page, divided by the total number of visitors who entered the site at that page. In contrast, the Bounce Rate for a web site is the number of web site visitors who visit only a single page of a web site per session divided by the total number of web site visits.

I believe this statistic might receive too much attention or is a little overblown…what if the reader discovers what they are seeking on the first page they land on, soak up their information and move on completely satisfied. I would think this is a 100% fill rate or a 100% satisfied viewer. How is this then factored into the above formula?

As with any statistics programs, there are pros and cons. Google has the engineers on staff to put forward the best possible product and this is one area we feel needs to go back to the drawing board.

Would like to hear what others think about this topic and if they can provide some feedback on bounce rates.

Filed under: Search Engine Optimization, bounce rate, google analytics