We are trying to pull the Natural search numbers. We tried using a segment ( referrer = Search engine & paid search = Natural ), then we used the Natural search engine report and then the marketing channels report. All the 3 gave different results, Can anyone help me with the best way to pull the numbers?
You didn't mention what "numbers" you're using, so I'm going to assume that you meant "Visits".
You first have to understand how AA attributes traffic to search engines/referrals and Marketing Channels.
Referrals, which Search Engines fall under, are set with the first hit of a browser session. Note: this is not an AA Visit! So as long as the user keeps his browser tab/window open with your website, the referral/search engine will never change, mainly because the "document.referrer" string for that browser tab/window hasn't changed as long as it remains open.
Marketing Channels are determined by your Marketing Channel processing rules. You'll need to refer to these rules in your AA report suite to determine the logic for how your "Natural Search" channel is being set.
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