User Metrics

User metrics are the signals that tell search engines how visitors interact with your store. Google uses these metrics to judge whether your content is genuinely helpful, which directly affects your rankings.

Key User Metrics

Bounce Rate

The percentage of visitors who land on a page and leave without viewing any other page. A high bounce rate suggests the page didn't meet the visitor's expectations.

How to improve it:

• Make sure your content matches what the visitor was searching for
• Add internal links to related articles and products
• Improve the visual appeal of the page (images, formatting, clear headings)
• Make your content more engaging and thorough

🔗 What is a bounce rate?

Time on Page

How long visitors spend reading a page. Longer time on page suggests the content is useful and engaging.

How to improve it:

• Write longer, more thorough articles
• Use formatting (headings, lists, images) to keep readers engaged
• Embed relevant videos that visitors will watch
• Break content into scannable sections so readers keep scrolling

Click-Through Rate (CTR)

The percentage of people who see your page in Google search results and click on it. A higher CTR means your title and meta description are compelling.

How to improve it:

• Write clear, specific page titles that include the main keyword
• Write meta descriptions that explain what the visitor will find and encourage them to click
• Use numbers and specifics ("5 Best...", "Under $50", "2026 Guide")

Pages Per Session

How many pages a visitor views during a single visit. More pages per session means visitors are exploring your store, which signals quality to Google.

How to improve it:

• Add "Related Articles" and "Related Products" to every page
• Link between articles naturally within your content
• Make your navigation clear and easy to use
• Feature your best content on the homepage

Where to See Your Metrics

You can check your store's user metrics in two places:

• FreshStore Analytics. Your store dashboard shows visitor data, page views, bounce rates, and affiliate clicks.
• Google Search Console. Shows click-through rates and search performance for your pages.

🔗 Analytics feature guide

Why User Metrics Matter for SEO

Google's goal is to show searchers the most helpful results. User metrics are how Google measures whether a page is actually helpful:

• If visitors stay on your page and explore your store, Google sees it as quality content
• If visitors leave immediately (high bounce rate), Google may lower your ranking
• If your page gets a high click-through rate in search results, Google gives it more visibility