How to Measure Branded vs Non-Branded Search Traffic

Marketing

Feb 19, 2025

Learn to effectively measure and analyze branded versus non-branded search traffic for improved marketing strategies and insights.

Want to track branded and non-branded search traffic effectively? Start here.
Branded traffic includes searches with your brand name (e.g., "Nike shoes"), reflecting brand awareness and higher conversion rates. Non-branded traffic comes from general searches (e.g., "best running shoes"), driving more volume and reaching new audiences. Both are essential for growth.

Key Takeaways:

Branded Traffic: Converts 2–3x better, highlights loyalty, and boosts direct sales.
Non-Branded Traffic: Makes up ~80% of organic traffic, attracts new users, and expands reach.

Tools to Use:

Google Analytics 4 (GA4): Segment branded vs non-branded traffic with regex filters.
SEMrush & Moz Pro: Analyze keyword performance and search trends.
Metrics Watch: Automate reports for branded and non-branded traffic.

Quick Comparison:

| Traffic Type | Conversion Rate | Primary Benefit | Volume |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| <strong>Branded</strong> | 2–4x higher | Builds loyalty, drives revenue | Lower |
| <strong>Non-Branded</strong> | Lower | Attracts new users, market growth | Higher

Next Steps: Use tools like GA4 and SEMrush to set up filters, track metrics (CTR, conversion rates, etc.), and automate reports for better insights. Both traffic types are critical for success - balance them wisely.

Branded Search Query Vs. Non-Brand Query Reporting In Looker Studio

Best Tools to Track Search Traffic Types

If you're looking to separate branded from non-branded traffic and gain actionable insights, analytics tools are your best friend. Here's a breakdown of some key options, ranging from basic tracking to more advanced reporting.

Using GA4 and Search Console

Start with GA4 and Search Console as your go-to tools. GA4's event-based model is great for tracking user interactions, and it allows for up to 50 custom dimensions to fine-tune your traffic segments. When paired with Search Console, you can dive into keyword performance data, offering a clearer picture of what’s working in your SEO strategy.

SEMrush and Moz Pro Features

For deeper keyword analysis, SEMrush and Moz Pro have you covered. SEMrush's Organic Research tool scans over 20 billion keywords in 130 countries, giving you detailed insights into your traffic. On the other hand, Moz Pro processes an impressive 500 billion SEO data points daily. Its Keyword Explorer tool is particularly useful for evaluating difficulty scores and search volume trends, helping you differentiate branded from non-branded terms.

Metrics Watch Reporting Features

Need automated reporting? Metrics Watch is a solid option to complement GA4 and SEMrush. This tool consolidates data from multiple platforms into one place and sends reports straight to your inbox. Plus, it offers white-label customization for professional branding. Some standout features include:

Integration with GA4, Search Console, and SEMrush
Automated scheduling for regular reports
Custom dashboards for real-time updates
Advanced filters to segment traffic with precision

Pricing starts with a Pro plan at $100/month (up to 25 reports) and scales to an Agency plan at $300/month (up to 100 reports). It’s a flexible choice for businesses or agencies juggling multiple traffic sources.

How to Measure Different Traffic Types

This section explains practical ways to measure various types of traffic effectively.

Setting Up Regex Filters in GA4

Use regex filters in GA4 to categorize traffic more accurately. Here's how to get started:

Create a custom dimension in GA4 to track traffic types:

Go to Admin > Data Streams and select your stream.
Click Configure tag settings and then Show all settings.
Under Custom definitions, create a new dimension called "Traffic Type."
Set the scope to Event and use the parameter name traffic_type.

For regex patterns, use the following examples:

| <strong>Traffic Type</strong> | <strong>Regex Pattern Example</strong> | <strong>Purpose</strong> |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Branded | <code>.*brand\sname.*</code> | Captures variations of your brand name. |
| Non-branded | <code>^(?!.*brand\sname).*</code> | Identifies non-branded search queries

Once set up, you can refine this further with automated segmentation tools.

Using SEMrush and Looker Studio

After setting up GA4, integrate additional tools like SEMrush and Looker Studio to enhance your tracking:

Set Up SEMrush Smart Views
- Create two views:
  - One for branded traffic, including your brand terms.
  - Another for non-branded traffic, excluding brand terms.
Connect to Looker Studio
- Link GA4 and SEMrush as data sources.
- Design separate report pages for branded and non-branded metrics.
- Schedule automated updates for real-time insights.

This combination provides a clear and organized view of your traffic data.

Comparing Manual and Automated Methods

When deciding between manual and automated tracking methods, consider these factors:

| <strong>Aspect</strong> | <strong>Manual Methods</strong> | <strong>Automated Methods</strong> |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Time Investment | Requires significant setup and ongoing work. | More initial effort but needs minimal upkeep. |
| Accuracy | Better for handling complex cases. | Reliable but may overlook edge cases. |
| Scalability | Limited by available resources. | Easily scales across multiple properties. |
| Cost | Lower tool costs but higher labor expenses. | Higher tool costs but less labor-intensive. |
| Flexibility | Fully customizable. | Restricted by tool features

A hybrid approach works best: use automated tools like Metrics Watch for regular reporting, and add manual checks for more complex scenarios. This ensures both efficiency and accuracy.

Important Metrics for Each Traffic Type

Measuring Branded Traffic Success

Branded traffic reflects how well your audience recognizes and engages with your brand. Key metrics to track include:

Conversion Rate: Typically 2–3× higher than non-branded searches .
SERP Click-Through Rate (CTR): Often averages around 50% .
Engagement Metrics: Look at time on site, pages per session, and repeat visits.
Direct Traffic: A strong indicator of brand recognition and loyalty.

It's also smart to keep an eye on brand sentiment. Track negative keyword combinations to identify and address potential reputation issues quickly .

Measuring Non-Branded Traffic Success

Non-branded traffic often makes up 80–90% of organic traffic . To evaluate its performance, focus on:

Impression Share: How often your site appears for non-branded keywords.
CTR: Typically falls between 1–2% .
New User Acquisition: Tracks the number of first-time visitors.
Assisted Conversions: Highlights how non-branded traffic contributes to overall conversions .

By focusing on these metrics, you can fine-tune your strategy based on your goals and business stage.

Metrics Priority Guide

The importance of specific metrics changes depending on where your business is in its growth journey:

For early-stage businesses:
- Organic traffic growth rate
- Improvements in keyword rankings
- Cost of acquiring new users
- Content engagement metrics
For established brands:
- Indicators of brand protection
- Customer lifetime value by traffic source
- Share of voice in your industry
- Return on ad spend (ROAS) comparisons

These metrics are closely tied to automated reporting tools. Platforms like Metrics Watch simplify tracking by pulling data from multiple sources, giving you real-time insights into both branded and non-branded performance .

Setting Up Automated Traffic Reports

Automating branded and non-branded traffic analysis simplifies how you collect and interpret data.

Metrics Watch Dashboard Creation

To effectively separate branded and non-branded traffic, follow these steps when setting up your dashboards:

Connect your Google Analytics 4 and Search Console accounts.
Import SEO data from tools like SEMrush or Moz, and apply filters to distinguish between branded and non-branded traffic.
Use custom widgets to display key performance metrics that matter most.
Create dedicated views for branded and non-branded traffic to keep things organized.

Companies that automate their reporting processes often see a 20% productivity boost . This setup not only makes your data easier to understand but also lays the groundwork for scalable reporting, especially for agencies.

Agency Reporting Options

For agencies managing multiple clients, Metrics Watch offers white-label features that can elevate your reporting game. Here's what it includes:

| <strong>Feature</strong> | <strong>Benefit</strong> | <strong>Use Case</strong> |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Custom Branding | Boosts professional image | Add agency logos and colors to client reports |
| Domain Customization | Builds client trust | Deliver reports via branded URLs |
| Email Customization | Ensures consistent communication | Send reports from your agency’s email domain |
| Template Library | Speeds up reporting | Use pre-built, industry-specific report templates

For instance, Bright Ideas agency cut its report creation time from 4 hours to just 30 minutes per client each week. This efficiency allowed them to take on 15% more clients and improve satisfaction scores by 22% [8]. Streamlined reporting doesn’t just save time - it also helps agencies grow.

Time and Cost Savings

Let’s break down the numbers. Manual reporting for 20 monthly reports, each taking 10 hours at $50/hour, costs around $120,000 annually.

Switching to Metrics Watch’s Agency plan ($300/month) plus a one-time 20-hour setup ($50/hour) totals about $4,600 per year. That’s a savings of roughly $115,000 annually. Beyond the financial benefits, automated reporting also ensures greater accuracy and consistency. In fact, 78% of marketers say it improves their decision-making .

Conclusion: Summary and Action Items

Key Takeaways

Understanding the balance between branded and non-branded search traffic is essential for evaluating marketing efforts and SEO success. Branded searches often convert 2–3× better, while non-branded searches typically drive the bulk of organic traffic .

For example, Wayfair managed to boost its non-branded traffic by 45%, which led to an increase in new customer acquisitions and quarterly revenue. This was achieved by focusing on a targeted content strategy using non-branded, long-tail keywords.

With these insights, consider simplifying your reporting process with automated tools.

How Metrics Watch Can Help

Connect GA4 and Search Console: Combine data for a full view of your search performance.
Custom Dashboards: Use templates to separate branded and non-branded data.
Automated Email Reports: Get regular updates (Pro plan: $100/month, supports up to 25 reports).

Checklist for Traffic Analysis

| Phase | Action Items | Expected Outcome |
| --- | --- | --- |
| <strong>Setup</strong> | Identify branded keywords | Clear traffic segmentation |
| <strong>Tracking</strong> | Configure filters in GA4 and Search Console | Comprehensive data collection |
| <strong>Analysis</strong> | Track conversion rates | Actionable performance insights |
| <strong>Optimization</strong> | Reassess keyword classifications quarterly | Better accuracy over time |
| <strong>Reporting</strong> | Automate reporting processes | Reliable and consistent updates

Use this checklist to keep your tracking accurate and your strategies on point.

FAQs

Here are answers to some common questions about branded and non-branded traffic and how to analyze them.

What is branded vs non-branded traffic?

Branded traffic comes from searches that specifically include your brand name, while non-branded traffic stems from more general industry-related searches. Interestingly, while non-branded keywords make up about 80–85% of organic traffic, branded searches tend to convert 2–3 times better .

For example, in 2022, REI's content on hiking and camping increased non-branded organic traffic by 15% and brought in 22% more new customers .

What is the difference between branded search and non-branded search?

The key difference lies in the intent behind the search and the keywords used. Here's a quick breakdown:

| Aspect | Branded Search | Non-Branded Search |
| --- | --- | --- |
| <strong>Keywords</strong> | Includes brand or product name | Uses general industry terms |
| <strong>Click-Through Rate</strong> | 2–3% higher than non-branded | Lower, but higher search volume |
| <strong>Traffic Volume</strong> | Typically smaller | Makes up 80–85% of organic traffic |
| <strong>Conversion Rate</strong> | 2–3× higher | Lower, but helps attract new audiences |
| <strong>Example Searches</strong> | "Nike running shoes" | "best running shoes"

To get the most out of both traffic types, focus on these key metrics:

Click-Through Rate (CTR): Measures how often users click on your search result.
Conversion Rate: Shows how effective your traffic is at driving actions like purchases or sign-ups.
Bounce Rate: Indicates how engaged users are with your content.
Average Session Duration: Reflects how much time users spend interacting with your site.

Both branded and non-branded traffic play important roles in your marketing strategy. Branded searches reflect strong brand recognition, while non-branded searches help you reach new audiences and grow your market presence .