Traffic Source

A traffic source indicates where a visit or user acquisition is attributed to in a reporting system. Sources might include search engines, links on other sites, social platforms, or campaign URLs with tracking parameters. In GA4, source-related reports can use different scopes, so a source attributed to a session may not match one attributed to a user's first visit. A customer who first discovers a cleaning service through search and later returns directly can appear differently depending on the report. Missing tracking information, privacy choices, and attribution rules can also affect classifications. Traffic source is useful context for marketing decisions, not a complete account of every influence behind a customer inquiry.