IN THIS ARTICLE
- What are Standard Metrics?
- What are Dimensional Metrics?
- How to use Dimensional vs Standard Metrics in a Pie Chart or Table
- Additional Information
What are Standard Metrics?
Standard Metrics are Metrics that only store and display 1 Metric Value for each Date Range.
Examples of Standard Metrics are "Sessions," "Clicks," and "Likes."
What are Dimensional Metrics?
Dimensional Metrics are Metrics that contain Dimensions. Essentially, there is a list of data stored within them. They typically have the word "by" in the Metric name and have a table symbol next to the Metric name in the Designer.
Examples of Dimensional Metrics are "Sessions by Source," "Clicks by Campaign," and "Likes by Post."
Since a list containing Dimensions is stored within the Dimensional Metric, the visualization that you choose for these Metrics is significant. If you are adding a Metric to a Datablock that is set to only display 1 Value- like a Number Block, Progress Bar, or even a Funnel- a Dimension field will be revealed in Datablock Settings. This allows you to select 1 specific Dimension whose associated Metric value will be displayed on the Datablock.
How to use Dimensional vs Standard Metrics in a Pie Chart or Table
When customizing a Pie Chart or Table, you have the option in the Property Manager to either choose Data from a Single Metric or Data from Multiple Metrics.
If you select Data from a Single Metric, you must select a Dimensional Metric to populate the Pie Chart or Table. This is because Data from a Single Metric means one single Metric is going to populate the full Pie Chart or Table. Since Dimensional Metrics have Dimensions stored underneath, the Databox system can automatically split each Dimension into a different row or slice of the pie.
For example, you could select "Sessions by Source," in which case each source would have it's own row, or "Impressions by Campaign," in which case each campaign would have it's own row.
Data from a Single Metric is extremely efficient and is the default option.
If you select Data from Multiple Metrics, you can select Standard Metrics, Dimensional Metrics, or a combination of both to populate the table. This is because Data from Multiple Metrics means that you want to manually populate each row of the Table or slice of the Pie Chart with different Metrics. Put simply, multiple Metrics are populating the Databock.
For example, you may create a Pie Chart or Table that is populated with metrics from Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. to report on followers from each of your social sources.
Additional Information
IN THIS SECTION
Metric Considerations
- Standard metrics like “Total Followers” provides values reflecting the overall following for a Data Source. However, the values for Dimensional Metrics like "Followers by Country," "Followers by Age," "Followers by Gender," etc. may not be an exact match to the “Total Followers” count you are seeing for a Social Media Data Source. This is because followers may choose not to publicly share personal information like their country, age, gender, etc.