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What are Web Log Files?

Server log files are simple text files that are automatically generated every time someone accesses one Website. Every "hit" to the Web site, including each view of a HTML document, image or other object, is logged. The raw web log file format is essentially one line of text for each hit to the web site. This contains information about who was visiting the site, where they came from, and exactly what they were doing on the web site.

There are several kinds of log formats. The Common Log Format (CLF) is used by most Web servers. In addition, the Extended Common Log File format is an extensive format adopted by certain web servers. Besides, these two common log file format, there are many other log file format. They are released by WWW organization.

Here are just a few examples of what your server logs can tell you:

  1. Measure the effectiveness of banner ads and PPC search engines.
  2. What search engine spiders have found your site?
  3. What keywords are people using to find your site?
  4. What search engines brings you most traffic?
  5. How many have book-marked your site?
  6. How well do people like your site?
  7. How many people visit your site?
  8. What pages are most popular?
  9. Why do people leave your site?
  10. Who is linking to your site?

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Created by Lan Man

Last Modified: Nov 11, 2002