Weird Spike Local Analytics

[Maginot]

So I dont check the numbers often, only quarterly when I need to report to certain clients.

I am sitting down with an manager prior to a reporting period just to go over some things so he learns what is happening and I learn what the owner wants.

(I have only had this client for a few months. In fact a month in, they take their website down altogether because they change owners. When I signed them they were 5th page (#42-46).)

Typically we see 400-500 views daily, which this image kinda shows prior to the spike. Now we are seeing 700-800 daily (and we are on the 2nd page (#14-16)). But the concern is May 16-18.

This isnt a florist and it isnt mothers days. They do most of their business in January and August. WTF. Is this a google glitch? Are they quantifying the dates incorrectly? The manager doesnt recall any unusual foottraffic that weekend yet a crapton more driving directions to the business...

Were we magically on p1 for a weekend? (Even without a website)

Any ideas?

 

[heckler]

This isnt a florist and it isnt mothers days. They do most of their business in January and August.

What type of business is it?

 

[Linda Buquet]

This isnt a florist and it isnt mothers days. They do most of their business in January and August. WTF. Is this a google glitch? Are they quantifying the dates incorrectly? The manager doesnt recall any unusual foottraffic that weekend yet a crapton more driving directions to the business...

Were we magically on p1 for a weekend? (Even without a website)

That's a possibility.

But also keep in mind the stats are notorious for going off in the weeds occasionally.

I had a spike 26 - 28 too and my listing is normally pretty dead because I don't really use it or try to rank or anything.

What type of business is it?

Good Q Bryan!

Also where are they located? Not specific address but are they in a strip mall by chance or office building? Because I believe the driving direction are to that building, not necessarily their specific suite. So if they are in a strip mall and someone else there got press or had a big special or something, that could do it possibly?

 

[Dustybones]

Hey Maginot, What does your referral traffic look like for that period? Does anything stand out? We usually see this if we run a contest for a practice. Was something done in marketing that might cause an immediate and short term spike. Like Linda said, it could just be a G.A. Hiccup.

Also, SERPS have been kinda crazy lately, but the volatility of the fluctuations can also depend on the city and industry your working in. I'm sure a deeper dig will either expose a source or confirm that G.A. Data is once again messed up.

When you say "(Even without a website)", do you mean there is no website at all? Did you do a search for "site:yourwebsite.com" and "site:www.yourwebsite.com" to see if something is indexing

and what are the landing pages? Any spikes there?

Head over to Moz..they have the same discussion going on: http://goo.gl/Cnkk2M