Guides & support » Questions » How can I separate anonymous traffic from known traffic?

How can I separate anonymous traffic from known traffic?

When you collect anonymous data from non-consenting visitors, their data is mixed with that of other visitors. In this article, we’ll show you how to separate this data.

To create a segment for anonymous traffic, follow these steps:

1. Go to Menu > Analytics.

2. The option to add segments appears at the top of any open tab (Dashboards, Reports, Custom reports, Goals or Ecommerce). Click the + button.

Audience overview report in Piwik PRO

3. Click Manage segments.

4. Click Add a segment.

5. Name your segment. Example: No-consent traffic.

6. In Visibility, choose Author or All usersAll users lets you share this segment with your teammates.

7. (Optional) Check All sites & apps to make this segment visible across all sites and apps.

8. Set the following conditions and combine them using the OR logical operator:

  • IPv4 address equals 0.0.0.0
  • IPv6 address equals ::
No-consent traffic in Piwik PRO

Note: Visitors’ IP addresses are fully masked if you turn on: Administration > Sites & apps > Privacy > Ask visitors for consent (on) > Collect anonymous data from non-consenting visitors (on). This is why you can use the mentioned conditions to filter out anonymous traffic.

9. Click Save.

10. Done!

To create a segment for known traffic, follow these steps:

1. Go to Menu > Analytics.

2. The option to add segments appears at the top of any open tab (Dashboards, Reports, Custom reports, Goals or Ecommerce). Click the + button.

3. Click Manage segments.

4. Click Add a segment.

5. Name your segment. Example: Consent traffic.

6. In Visibility, choose Author or All usersAll users lets you share this segment with your teammates.

7. (Optional) Check All sites & apps to make this segment visible across all sites and apps.

8. Set the following conditions and combine them using the AND logical operator:

  • IPv4 address not equals 0.0.0.0
  • IPv6 address not equals ::
add a segment consent traffic

Note: Visitors’ IP addresses are fully masked if you turn on: Administration > Sites & apps > Privacy > Ask visitors for consent (on) > Collect anonymous data from non-consenting visitors (on). This is why you can use the mentioned conditions to filter out anonymous traffic.

9. Click Create a segment.

10. All done!

Compare segments in reports

To compare segments in reports, follow these steps:

1. Go to Menu > Analytics.

2. Navigate to DashboardsReportsCustom reportsGoals or Ecommerce.

3. Pick the report you want to view.

4. Click All visitors at the top.

5. Select the segment with no-consent traffic.

6. Click the + icon at the top.

7. Select the segment with consent traffic.

8. All done! You can now compare your traffic sources.

Compared segments in Piwik PRO

Note: We’ve found that when a company uses a consent form on its website, approximately 25 to 75 percent of visitors don’t consent to tracking or don’t make a consent decision.