# Measurement Methodology **Source:** **Retrieved:** 2026-11-06 --- # Measurement Methodology ## How Is Traffic Measured? Measuring the traffic of a tracked page requires a code placed on the page (see [Getting Started](/getting-started/) for details). It is actually an image — either a standard icon measuring 88×31 pixels, or an "invisible" 1×1-pixel dot. This implies a certain possible inaccuracy of measurement, for example when a visitor has image display disabled in the browser. On the other hand, this reflects advertising reach much better (anyone who does not see the TOPlist icon does not see an ad banner either). The inaccuracy can be partly eliminated by also using the text counter, which the TOPlist system offers as well. ## What Values Are Measured? ### Visits This is the basic quantity measured by TOPlist. According to general rules, it is a display of the page in a browser within a certain time. According to the rules used worldwide (see [Bounce rate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bounce_Rate)), that time is 30 minutes. That means that if a user returns to the page from the same computer after more than 30 minutes, a new visit is counted. Daily values are archived for the whole period since registration. ### Pageviews This value means every single display of the page (or pages, if the code is placed on more than one) — even when the user presses the Refresh button. These are the main quantities TOPlist measures about traffic. The remaining values are supplementary and allow further refinement of the information about visitors: browsers used, operating systems, visitor domains, screen resolution and color depth, etc. Other described values can also be found in the [FAQ](/faq/). ## Terms ### IP The unique numerical address of every computer connected to the internet. ### Cookie A short piece of text information that can be stored in the browser of a website visitor and retrieved later. TOPlist measurement **does not use cookies**. --- © 1997 - 2026 TOPlist