> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.upstackdata.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Sessions: Unique Website Visits

> Track unique website sessions for your e-commerce store. Measure awareness and traffic volume with sessions counted by the Upstack Pixel.

<Tip>
  Sessions measures the total number of unique visits to your website, where each session represents a distinct browsing period from a visitor.
</Tip>

## Formula

<Info>
  **Sessions** = **COUNT DISTINCT** ( Session ID )
</Info>

### Formula Components

| Metric         | Definition                                                               |
| -------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Session ID** | Unique identifier assigned to each browsing session by the Upstack Pixel |

| Metadata        |                         |
| --------------- | ----------------------- |
| **Type**        | Count                   |
| **Data Source** | [Upstack Pixel](/pixel) |
| **Aggregation** | Count Distinct          |

***

## Example

Your e-commerce store had **12,450 sessions** in April, representing unique browsing periods from visitors.

| Week   | Sessions | Change |
| ------ | -------- | ------ |
| Week 1 | 2,890    | —      |
| Week 2 | 3,150    | +9.0%  |
| Week 3 | 3,210    | +1.9%  |
| Week 4 | 3,200    | -0.3%  |

***

## How It Works

A session begins when a visitor arrives on your site and ends after 30 minutes of inactivity or at midnight. The Upstack Pixel assigns a unique session ID to track each browsing period separately from individual page views or the visitor's identity.

***

## When to Use

| Scenario                       | Action                                             |
| ------------------------------ | -------------------------------------------------- |
| Measure overall traffic volume | Compare sessions week-over-week to gauge awareness |
| Evaluate campaign impact       | Check if paid campaigns drive more sessions        |
| Calculate conversion rate      | Use as the denominator with purchases or sign-ups  |
| Identify traffic patterns      | Analyze sessions by day or hour to find peak times |

***

## Related Metrics

| Metric                                                          | Relationship                                    |
| --------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------- |
| [Page Views](/reference/metrics/funnel/awareness/page-views)    | Total pages viewed across all sessions          |
| [Unique Visitors](/reference/metrics/funnel/awareness/visitors) | Distinct individuals who created these sessions |
| [New Sessions](/reference/metrics/funnel/awareness/sessions)    | Sessions from first-time visitors               |
| Conversion Rate                                                 | Purchases divided by sessions                   |

[See all Awareness metrics →](/reference/metrics/funnel/awareness)