Double Custom Trafic Variable (prop) based Segments effect on Visits

[marion33678522]

Hello Adobe Community !

I'm trying hard to figure out an odd behaviour but I cannot yet grasp the explanation.

I'm currently testing 2 segments ( that are almost exactly the same ) , one has a "Hit" container (let's call it segment "A"), the other one has a "Visit" container (let's call it segment "B") on the same custom traffic variable ( lets call it propX).

I was predicting that I would have the same number of visits if i segmented the visits metric with segment A or B.
This showed already alright on both of the segments previews.
But on the workspace, I found out that there were more visits using the B segment.

I found out what was causing this - I remembered that I had already another segment (let's call it "C", also on a custom trafic variable)with a Hit container on the panel header, based on another prop ( let's call it prop Y).

If I take out this segment the number of visits is the same regardless of the segment (A or B).

So, how is it possible, that 

(C+B)visits > (C+A)visits

but

(B)visits = (A)visits ?

This almost looks like a math topology problem ! Sorry for the odd formalism on the 2 previous wannabe equations...

Cheers !

Mario

[Urs_Boller · Accepted solution]

hi mario

yes, this is possible. i try to explain.

segment A only contains hits where propX is set, no other hits. in segment B there are all hits where at least one hit has propX. you should see a difference in occurances or page views if you only look at those two segments.

now adding sehment C:

A+C: only Hits (and corresponding Visits) where both PropX ANd propY are set on the same Hit

B+C: shows Hits (and corresponding Visits) where propY is set on every hit BUT only needs one hit of the Visit to have propX. Because B is a visit segment, the propX must not be on the same hit ad the hit with propY. this means, that the number of visits with B+C should be higher than A+B.

does this makes sense? is it possible that a visit can have propY but never propX on the same hit (but elsewhere in the visit)?

maybe this is easier to explain with pictures ...

regards

urs

[marion33678522]

Hello!

thanks a lot urs.boller​ !

Yes i see a little bit better, I made a drawing with your explanation !

And also, when I remembered that propY had more hits than prop X, It became clearer to me.