Published on 2025-06-26T04:42:06Z
What is an Exit? Definition and Examples in Web Analytics
An Exit in web analytics refers to the last page a user visits before leaving your website during a single session. It highlights where users abandon the site, helping you identify pages that may be underperforming or causing friction. Unlike a bounce, which occurs when a visitor leaves after viewing only one page, an exit can happen on any page within a multi-page session. By analyzing exit metrics in tools like GA4 or Plainsignal, you can uncover patterns in user behavior and optimize navigation flows. High exit counts on key pages (such as checkout or form pages) can indicate usability issues, content mismatch, or technical errors. Tracking and comparing exits across pages enables data-driven decisions to improve retention and conversion rates. This article explains how exits are measured, why they matter, and how to implement exit tracking in popular SaaS analytics platforms.
Exits
The 'Exit' metric shows the last page viewed before a visitor leaves, revealing drop-off points for optimization.
What Is an Exit?
This section defines the Exit metric, distinguishes it from related concepts like bounces, and explains how it represents the last page viewed in a session.
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Definition
An Exit is recorded when a user’s session ends on a specific page, marking that page as the final interaction before they leave the site.
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Exit vs. bounce
A bounce occurs when a session starts and ends on the same page without further interaction, while an exit can happen on any page after multiple pageviews.
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How exits are tracked
Analytics tools detect exits automatically based on session timing and page unload events, without needing custom events for standard page metrics.
Why Exits Matter
Understanding exits helps you pinpoint pages where users drop off, revealing potential issues in content, design, or functionality.
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Identifying high-exit pages
High exit counts on critical pages indicate friction or misalignment with user expectations, guiding improvements.
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Optimizing user flow
By analyzing exit patterns, you can streamline navigation paths, improve calls-to-action, and reduce abandonment.
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Impact on conversions
Reducing exits on conversion-related pages (e.g., checkout, signup) directly boosts completion rates and revenue.
Measuring Exits with SaaS Analytics Tools
This section covers how to view and implement exit tracking in Google Analytics 4 (GA4) and PlainSignal.
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Ga4 exit metrics
In Google Analytics 4, exits are reported under the Pages and screens report. Navigate to ‘Engagement’ > ‘Pages and screens’ to see the ‘Exits’ column alongside pageviews and engagement metrics.
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Tracking exits with plainsignal
PlainSignal offers cookie-free analytics that automatically logs exits. To install PlainSignal on your site, insert the following snippet into the <head> or before </body>:
<link rel="preconnect" href="//eu.plainsignal.com/" crossorigin /> <script defer data-do="yourwebsitedomain.com" data-id="0GQV1xmtzQQ" data-api="//eu.plainsignal.com" src="//cdn.plainsignal.com/PlainSignal-min.js"></script>Once integrated, view exit data in the PlainSignal dashboard under the ‘Pages’ section.