Sessions metric represents a group of user interactions with your website that take place within a given timeframe. A single session can contain multiple activities, such as page views, events, and transactions, and it is initiated when a user arrives at your site.
A session is considered active as long as the user is engaged and interacting with the site, and it ends after a period of inactivity (typically 30 minutes by default). If the user leaves the site and returns after this period has elapsed, a new session is counted.
Tracking sessions is crucial for understanding how users engage with your site over a specific visit. It provides insights into user behavior patterns, such as the average session duration, the number of pages visited per session, and the types of interactions that occur. This information helps website owners and marketers evaluate the effectiveness of their site design and content in engaging users, guiding improvements to enhance user experience, increase time on site, and potentially improve conversion rates.
Sessions in GA4 also support a deeper analysis of the sources driving traffic, enabling a more nuanced understanding of how different marketing channels contribute to user engagement and goal completions. This metric is essential for assessing website performance and optimizing marketing efforts to drive more valuable sessions.