Cherry Seed

Why is this so complicated?

Quick Answer

Analytics data discrepancies exist because each platform collects data differently: different JavaScript libraries, different cookie mechanisms, different attribution windows, different bot filtering, and different definitions of basic metrics like 'sessions' and 'users.' Add consent requirements, ad blockers, and cross-device behavior, and perfect alignment between platforms becomes mathematically impossible.

Full Answer

Why tracking is so complicated: Platform incentives:

  • Facebook wants credit for Facebook ads
  • Google wants credit for Google ads
  • Each builds attribution to favor themselves
  • No neutral arbiter exists Privacy fragmentation:
  • Safari ITP: 7-day cookies
  • Chrome: Third-party cookie deprecation
  • GDPR: Consent requirements
  • iOS 14.5: App Tracking Transparency
  • Each breaks tracking differently No industry standard:
  • No agreed attribution model
  • No standard event format
  • No unified measurement
  • Every platform invented their own Technical debt:
  • Pixels from 2010 -...

Sources

Programmatic Access

GET https://seresa.io/wp-json/cherry-tree-by-seresa/v1/seeds/105

Cite This Answer

Cherry Tree by Seresa - https://seresa.io/seed/common-tracking-problems/numbers-never-match-s8