some better blog stats

I recall saying I'd wait a month to allow the Google Analytics stats to round out a bit more. I'm still learning how to read those stats, which don't match up very well with how Blogger's site meter measures things. But after a month, I think things look like this over 60 days:

Median views per day (no bots): about 2,500

Total users (I guess this is # of discrete visitors): about 3,700

Views per active user: 3.7 (i.e., a lot of jumping around)

Which may explain this—

Bounce rate (the % of users who click away after viewing a page): 50.2%

Ouch, baby. Very ouch. They say that, the higher the bounce rate, the more likely your blog is to be boring or off-putting. However, the counter to this is that, as with a weather site or a dictionary site, a lot of people swoop in only for the latest or for one bit of information, then swoop away. More reassuringly:

Engagement rate: 49.8% 

Google Analytics offers plenty of other stats, most of which I have no idea how to interpret. The most vexing thing from the above stats, to me, is that I have so many discrete visitors but so few actual commenters. I appreciate the efforts of those who do comment, but I have to wonder why so many people remain lurkers. Half my commenters usually weigh in with criticisms or corrections; only one or two are actively supportive. The price of mini-fame.