Custom metrics
A custom metric is a user-defined metric based on a standard metric or an attribute field. You can define three types of custom metrics: segment metrics, filter metrics, and attribute metrics. In addition, you can use the custom metrics feature to create an alias of a standard metric with a customized name.
You can use any standard metric or attribute field as the base for a custom metric. You cannot use a calculated metric or another custom metric as the base for a custom metric.
Use the Manage > Custom Metrics page to create, edit, copy, and delete custom metrics.
Segment metrics
A segment metric returns metric data only for sessions that match a segment definition. For example, you can apply a segment to the Sales/Session standard metric that limits results to sessions from mobile device users. The segmentation logic is applied only to the selected base metric, not to the entire report.
You can create a segment or select an existing segment. Segments that you create when you define a custom metric can also be applied to reports without using the custom metric.
- You cannot add a segment that contains cross-session or registration criteria to a custom metric.
- If a report contains a segmented custom metric, it cannot also contain a segment that uses cross-session or registration criteria.
- You cannot add a multi-channel segment to a custom metric.
Filter metrics
A filter metric returns only metric data that matches a filter definition. For example, you can use the Page Views standard metric to create a custom metric that limits results to a category of pages, such as electronics. The filtering logic is applied only to the base metric, not to the entire report.
You can create a filter or select an existing filter. Filters that you create when you define a custom metric can also be applied to reports without using the custom metric.
Attribute metrics
An attribute metric is based on the values of an attribute field. For example, if your site is configured to collect author name as an attribute of a page view tag, you can select this attribute to produce a metric such as "Page Views - Smith". Attribute metrics offer different calculation options, depending upon whether the selected attribute is text-based or numeric. You cannot apply a segment or a filter to an attribute metric.
An attribute field must be assigned an alias in the Admin console before it is available for use in custom metric definitions. The attribute fields can be based on tags or imported data.
Adding custom metrics to reports
Use custom metrics in Flat List, Hierarchy, and Lifecycle reports. Custom metrics are not supported for Filtered Groups, Segment Compare, or Live reports.
You can add custom metrics to a report from any report-building tab that is used for adding metrics to a report. For details, see the topics for the type of report you are building.