Traffic with 'direct' as source

[casionmark]

Hi - simple question. If traffic is labelled 'direct' in analytics, what does this mean? User typing in URL and going direct? Or something else?

Thanks,

[MMM]

Actually would like to know as well.
Btw, checked your site and at the bottom you have a strange news post saying - GPWA forum username: casionmark...

[casionmark]

Actually would like to know as well.
Btw, checked your site and at the bottom you have a strange news post saying - GPWA forum username: casionmark...

Oops. Good spot - thanks .

[TheGooner]

Direct is either type-in or bookmark traffic.
Not via a search engine redirect or website link.

[Progger]

bookmarks...emails...ads...hidden refferer....bots...negative seo...

but but but but....google is a *****...50% "direct" hits are organic searches over the seach engine.

if u use a second anal. tool u can see the difference

[MrBinaryAff]

Progger gave almost perfect answer, but when it comes to "direct" source of the traffic, that is ultimately "Dark Social" + bookmarks + direct searches like "MrBinary.co.uk". Dark social is when people share content through private channels such as instant messaging programs, messaging apps, and email.

Some of the most common dark social traffic channels are:

• Messaging apps—such as WhatsApp, WeChat, and Facebook Messenger
• Email—to protect users’ privacy, referrers aren’t shared)
• Native mobile apps—Facebook, Instagram
• Secure browsing—If you click from HTTPS to HTTP the referrer won’t be passed on

[godlink]

Hi - simple question. If traffic is labelled 'direct' in analytics, what does this mean? User typing in URL and going direct? Or something else?

Thanks,

If they have adding your website in their bookmark will also get counted as direct i hope that clears out your doubt.

[petimi]

One more type of traffic can be direct an it's very common: server side redirects.
Many people use link cloaking scripts, worpdress plugins to make "prettier" links or just to hide long-and-ugly tracking links. With these plugins you can setup 301, 302 redirects easily.
Now if you have similar "cloaked" links coming to your website those will all show up as "Direct" source as the referral info gets stripped out when the server-side redirect comes into action.