File Downloaded - which is the right way to measure?

[#1]

Good day everyone,

May I have your help to clarify the right way to measure File Download?

I can see 3 ways:

1. Activity Map Link with Activity Map Link Instances

2. Dimension Download Filename:

     i. use "Download Filename Instances"

     ii. use "File Downloads" - our custom defined event

As you can see, they are giving significant different result.

May I know which is the right one? and Why they are so different?

Thank You.

H

[#2 · Accepted solution]

Dear H_L,

Great to see you too!

Ideally if you didn't have any amendments for the events, then 'Download Filename Instances' should be equal to the 'Custom Event'. If you use some amendments like getValOnce, Event Serialization etc., you will see that the numbers are less than Instances(Which will fire every time).

Check whether Custom Event is firing every time you are downloading the a file.

Thank You!

Arun

[#3]

Hi Arun,

Nice to see you again.

The is the custom event for File Downloads.

So I supposed to use this as the right metic, but it was found a big difference with "download filename instances".

So I asked this question.

Would you please try to clarify?

Thank you.

H

[#4]

Dear H_L,

If you are using an eVar, i would recommend to set an event for it and that would be the right metric to get the downloads.

For now, you can use eVar instances.

Thank You!

Arun

[#5]

Hi Karandeeps51149841,

Thanks for your reply, may I know following question first:

Why there are big differences between the counts of "Download Filename Instances" and "File Downloads (Custom)"?

Which one I should use as the "right" one for getting the times of a document is downloaded?

About the Activity Map in your reply:

When I validate in Omnibug, I can see the 2 "Download Clicks" are triggered when user click on the pdf:

In the 1st "Download Click"

In the 2nd "Download Click"

Then, it seems to me the activity map link does work.

Thank you again.

H

[#6]

Hi,

There are multiple reasons why we do not see the similar or close number in File download report and Activity map.

As File Download work explicitly where s.tl() call is implemented. Whereas activity map may or may not fire on the link where file download is firing.
Below is the document that will help in understanding activity map link tracking

Link Tracking Methodology
You can check in debugger if activity map is firing when file download is firing. If they are firing, I will suggest you to please contact customer care so that they can investigate in detail.