Google Analytics Tips and Secrets #1

How to override the “500 limit” in your reports

All reports in Google Analytics are subject to a 500 limit of listed records, being either keywords, search terms, referrals or any other report. In other words, if you are trying to view or download the full list of your paid keywords, you will be limited to the top 500 of them. Let’s bypass it!

GA - the "500 limit"

GA - the "500" limit

As you can see above, there are more than 875 “rows” of data you want to analyze. Even if download the file you will not get more than 500 records.

There’s a secret to fix this issues. Add the “&limit=” parameter to your report URL.

Let’s say you are looking at your keywords report

1. Go to the report page you want to see the data. The URL may look like: https://www.google.com/analytics/reporting/keywords?id=1234567&pdr=20081006-20081105& cmp=average#lts=1234567890

2. Add “&limit=5000” at the end of the URL and copy it : https://www.google.com/analytics/reporting/keywords?id=1234567&pdr=20081006-20081105& cmp=average#lts=1234567890&limit=5000

3. Hit refresh(F5) in your browser Click on a different report link

4. Paste the URL from step 2 in the address bar load that page

5. Export your report. This time you will have 5000 records in the downloaded file

Notice: Downloading is the only way to get unlimited records. They won’t be visible in the Google Analytics interface

Pitstop Media is a top company providing internet marketing services. We offer affordable web analytics services to companies of all sizes, from startups to corporations. Please contact us if you need assistance with any of the online marketing services we provide.

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6 Responses to “Google Analytics Tips and Secrets #1”

  1. valve said:

    Nov 07, 08 at 3:04 pm

    Thanks. This will help me review my Adwords data using Google Analytics much faster.

  2. TraiaN said:

    Nov 11, 08 at 7:28 pm

    I’m glad it’s helpful

  3. Jeff said:

    Nov 19, 08 at 9:03 pm

    Good job - you saved my time.

  4. Roman said:

    Nov 23, 08 at 12:31 pm

    It doesn’t work for me!

  5. traiann said:

    Nov 24, 08 at 5:38 pm

    @Roman,

    Make sure you are downloading the report. They won’t directly show up in the interface.

  6. Matthew Hunt said:

    Dec 28, 08 at 9:32 pm

    Awesome tip! Will make things go way faster!


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