bit.ly/forexmarket

Tas67 · January 24, 2011

Hello!

I've been noticing lately (through Google Analytics) that one of my referral sources to my site is from Brazil, called bit/ly/forexmarket.

I did some searching online and people are suggesting that it's spam?

Anyone know what I can do to block this? :dunno

Any suggestions would be great!

Thanks
Tanya

Andy · January 24, 2011

Hi, what's the precise URL please?

jfriend · January 24, 2011

I'm just curious how a referrer can be spam? A referrer is just a site that links to yours. Sites that link to yours increase traffic to you and increase your Google search rank. That's all they do - whether it's a site who's other content you like or not.

Tas67 · January 24, 2011

Hi Andy,

The URL is http://www.tanyastafford.com/

If it's directing traffic to my site, then I guess that's okay. I just want to make sure it's someone not trying to hack in or something.

Thanks again!

Andy · January 24, 2011

Tas67 wrote: »

Hi Andy,

The URL is http://www.tanyastafford.com/

If it's directing traffic to my site, then I guess that's okay. I just want to make sure it's someone not trying to hack in or something.

Thanks again!

Hello, no, I need the referring URL. The exact URL you got from your GA report.

Tas67 · January 24, 2011

Sorry about that!

It's just listed as bit.ly/forexmarket / referral

techhacking · January 25, 2011

Tas67 wrote: »

Hello!

I've been noticing lately (through Google Analytics) that one of my referral sources to my site is from Brazil, called bit/ly/forexmarket.

I did some searching online and people are suggesting that it's spam?

Anyone know what I can do to block this?

Any suggestions would be great!

Thanks
Tanya

Please read the article below which explains how spammers abuse Google Analytics to cause referrer spam as well as how to prevent further Google Analytics referrer spamming.

http://techhacking.com/2011/01/23/google-analytics-referrer-spammers/

Tas67 · January 25, 2011

techhacking wrote: »

Please read the article below which explains how spammers abuse Google Analytics to cause referrer spam as well as how to prevent further referrer spamming.

http://techhacking.com/2011/01/23/google-analytics-referrer-spammers/

Thank you so much. That is really helpful!

jfriend · January 25, 2011

techhacking wrote: »

Please read the article below which explains how spammers abuse Google Analytics to cause referrer spam as well as how to prevent further referrer spamming.

http://techhacking.com/2011/01/23/google-analytics-referrer-spammers/

Very interesting article. Thanks for posting.

techhacking · January 25, 2011

No problem. I had the wrong graphic by the way, please re-review the instructions at the bottom to see how to filter out referrer spam.

denisegoldberg · January 25, 2011

techhacking wrote: »

...as well as how to prevent further referrer spamming.

From the explanation on the google analytics page it looks like the filter removes the reference from the analytics reports - it does not stop the referrer from hitting your site. I believe that would have to be done on the smug side of things, not with the tool that analyzes the traffics.

--- Denise

techhacking · January 25, 2011

denisegoldberg wrote: »

From the explanation on the google analytics page it looks like the filter removes the reference from the analytics reports - it does not stop the referrer from hitting your site. I believe that would have to be done on the smug side of things, not with the tool that analyzes the traffics.

--- Denise

I'm not sure if you've read my post which was updated a few hours ago. I included the information below explaining how it works:

"When a filter is created in your profile, it’s immediately applied to new data coming into your account. A profile’s filters are applied to raw visitor data as the data is processed into the database. New filters will not affect historical data, and we’re not able to reprocess your old data through the new filter.”

“When an Include Filter is applied, the hit is thrown away if the pattern does not match the data.”

http://techhacking.com/2011/01/23/google-analytics-referrer-spammers/

denisegoldberg · January 25, 2011

techhacking wrote: »

“When an Include Filter is applied, the hit is thrown away if the pattern does not match the data.”

I did read that. Google Analytics is creating a report, it is not controlling sites that refer to your site. "your account" in that context is your analytics account, not your smugmug account. I believe the filter removes it from the report, but your post implies it stops the referrer. That's what I'm having a hard time with - Google Analytics is only reporting, it can't stop access to your smug site.

--- Denise

techhacking · January 25, 2011

Based on your description, you are more than likely applying the filter at the wrong location? The wrong location would be Visitors->Hostnames->Filter hostname (which only filters it out of the report). The correct location as explained in the blog is by going to the 'Filter Manager' which will filter the traffic indefinitely from being counted towards your UA number. I provided this as well on the post which comes directly from Google:

“When a filter is created in your profile, it’s immediately applied to new data coming into your account. A profile’s filters are applied to raw visitor data as the data is processed into the database. New filters will not affect historical data, and we’re not able to reprocess your old data through the new filter.”

“When an Include Filter is applied, the hit is thrown away if the pattern does not match the data.”

Note: This is only to stop Google Analytics referrer spam which NEVER actually goes to your website (which is the most common referrer spam most of us are seeing). Understand that they are just generating traffic to your Google Analytics account ID and NOT to your website.

http://techhacking.com/2011/01/23/google-analytics-referrer-spammers/

techhacking · January 28, 2011

I’ve updated the article to explain how to add a duplicate domain profile, so you can apply a filter to a duplicate profile while leaving your original profile intact. A duplicate profile is beneficial as it allows you to test changes, avoid making mistakes, and experiment with manipulating your data while still allowing you to keep your raw and unfiltered data within the original profile. I highly recommend you remove any filters from your original profile, create a duplicate, and apply the filters to a duplicate.

http://techhacking.com/2011/01/23/google-analytics-referrer-spammers/

bit.ly/forexmarket

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