Direct traffic spiked in GA4? How to tell bots, lost referrers and tracking bugs apart
A sudden jump in GA4 Direct traffic usually means bots, visits that lost their referrer, or a tracking bug. Here is how to tell which, step by step.
Traffic & analytics guides
Practical, no-fluff guides to GA4, Search Console and the traffic changes that matter.
Did a Google core update hit your site? How to tell, what to check and what not to do
Match your traffic drop to Google's core update dates, read the pattern in Search Console and GA4, and avoid the quick fixes that make things worse.
Organic traffic dropped in GA4 but Search Console looks fine (or the reverse): how to reconcile them
GA4 organic sessions and Search Console clicks never match exactly. Learn which gaps are normal, which mean a tracking bug, and how to check in 15 minutes.
GA4 not showing data? 9 causes of zero (or almost zero) data and how to fix each
GA4 shows no data or far too little? Work through these 9 causes, from processing delays and missing tags to consent banners and data filters, in order.
Why did my website traffic suddenly drop? A step-by-step GA4 checklist
A 10-step GA4 and Search Console checklist to find out whether a traffic drop is a tracking bug, a seasonal dip, a Google update or a real problem.
Find out why your traffic changed in 30 seconds
Our free checker compares two periods in your GA4 property and shows which channel, page, country or device the change came from. Want it automatically? GA Sentry watches GA4, Search Console and Cloudflare and emails you a plain-language report every week. Free for 100 days.