What are the affects of Date Ranges in Reports and previously converting visitors?

[#1]

Hey Optiverse! We know Optimizely is visitor based conversion, but are wondering how the reporting section handles date ranges when you scope second or third conversions into the date range. E.g., in a scenario where:

• Jan1: VisitorA in Arrives in control + VisitorB Arrives in variation
• Jan2: VisitorA Orders $100
• Jan3: VisitorB Orders $75 and never returns
• Jan4: no traffic
• Jan5: VisitorA returns and Orders $50

Overall the reports section reads 

• Control Orders: 1/1
• Control Revenue: $150
• Variation Orders: 1/1
• Variation Revenue: $75

What does the report section read when you just look at data from Jan4 - end of experiment? Our assumption is that though VisitorA originally Visited and converted Jan1st-2nd; they would still count as a visitor + conversion in the Jan4th-6th data. Is that the case?

[#2]

Great question!

Only a unique visitor's first conversion will be counted towards the Results page. So if we are filtering for a date range in which a 2nd conversion occurs, the Results page will still display 0 conversions because the first conversion occurred prior to said date range.

[#3]

Just curious, what is the rationale for implementing as "don't count anything after first conversion" instead of "de-dupe conversions within selected date range" ?

[#4 · Accepted solution]

Responding all for posterity w/ a resolution from @Brian_Abad on a followup ticket!

---------------------------

Tom,

I'm reaching back here with an update after discussing with Engineering how Optimizely's calculates unique visitors when utilizing a custom date / time range.

My original understanding was incorrect as this was functionality attributed to our old backend. We have since transitioned to a new backend with new functionality. I'm sorry for the incorrect information in my message and please allow me to clarify the correct functionality present within Optimizely's new backend.

For a date range, Optimizely will query the data within the given time frame and re-calculate for any unique visitors or conversions within said time-frame. It no longer takes into account visits or conversions that occur prior to the date range. In a sense, it treats the date range as it's own experiment in terms of calculating unique visitors and conversions.

So if a user were to visit in each of the 4 hours that we are filtering, the visitor will count as a unique visitor within each hour because Optimizely will re-query the data associated with that date range.

I hope this clears things up. Please let me know if I can elaborate further or if there's anything else I can help with!

Cheers,
Brian

[#5]

Hi, great & informative post. I'm brand new to Optimizely. What exactly are the 'Opties'? Thank you. I'm trying to learn, get info, resources on the academy, certifications, badges, etc. Thx, Aaron

[#6]

Hi,

Thanks for the info Brian. Also, is there somewhere to learn more about what you should include in your Optimizely 'signature'. Best practices/etc.

Thx,
Aaron