Google: Log File Analysis Is So Underrated

Apr 12, 2016 - 8:05 am 10 by
Filed Under Web Analytics

google log file

I remember the days of prepping before client meetings by scouring through tons of log files to tell the client how much traffic they were getting from their web site. This was pre-Urchin analytics days. It was painful but truth was, you found some awesome gems in those log files.

Log files can be very revealing and help with traffic interpretation, crawler analysis, spam detection and much much more.

Recently, Google's John Mueller said on Twitter "Log files are so underrated, so much good information in them."

Indeed.

And guess what, a tool came out from an old SEO tools company, Screaming Frog this morning that does the analysis for you. Truth is, I spotted a lot of conversation around this tool on Twitter this morning. I have not looked at it, nor did the company ask me to look at it. But I do miss the days of log file analysis. Google Analytics makes it too easy. :P

Do you analyze your log files manually?

Forum discussion at Twitter.

 

Popular Categories

The Pulse of the search community

Search Video Recaps

 
Video Details More Videos Subscribe to Videos

Most Recent Articles

Search Forum Recap

Daily Search Forum Recap: September 1, 2025

Sep 1, 2025 - 10:00 am
Google

Google Tests AI Overview With Knowledge Panel

Sep 1, 2025 - 7:51 am
Google Search Engine Optimization

Google: Crawl Changes Are Independent Of Big Google Updates

Sep 1, 2025 - 7:41 am
Google

Danny Sullivan At WordCamp On How Google Search Keeps Evolving

Sep 1, 2025 - 7:31 am
Google

Google AI Mode Model Updated - Improvements For STEM Queries

Sep 1, 2025 - 7:21 am
Google

Google AI Mode Compare Checkboxes For Products & Local Business Listings

Sep 1, 2025 - 7:11 am
 
Previous Story: Google My Business App For iOS Available For Download