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

> Explore ShortPen analytics: track link clicks, QR scans, and conversions, compare campaigns across workspaces, and turn your traffic data into actionable insights. 

# Overview of ShortPen Analytics

**Short answer:** ShortPen analytics turn your links and QR codes into actionable insight. You can analyze a **single link** to see engagement and audience details, or look across a **workspace** to compare campaigns by folder or tag. Add events and conversions via the **ShortPen Pixel** to connect traffic to business outcomes.

> Use **Link Analytics** for one URL. Use **Workspace Analytics** to spot trends across many links and group by folders/tags.

<Tip>
  **Tip:** Advanced analytics (full datasets, filtering/segmentation, analytics history over 30 days) are available on paid plans.
</Tip>

## What “analytics” means in ShortPen

Every ShortPen link automatically tracks core engagement and context:

* **Engagement.** Clicks and [**QR scans**](/key-concepts/qr-codes-overview), with totals and trends over time.
* **Sources/referrers.** Domain and exact URL views to see where traffic came from.
* **Devices, browsers, platforms.** Understand how visitors access your content.
* **Countries & languages.** Validate reach and localization.
* **Events & conversions.** When the [**ShortPen Pixel is installed**](/getting-started/install-shortpen-pixel) and [**Event Tracking is enabled**](/link-management/links-settings/enabling-event-tracking).

## What you can do with analytics

1. **Validate reach & engagement**. Confirm traffic volume, where clicks/scans originate, and which devices dominate.
2. **Attribute outcomes**. Connect clicks to **events/conversions** using the **ShortPen pixel** and per-link **enable tracking events**.
3. **Compare campaigns**. In workspace analytics, [**segment by folders and tags**](/analytics/workspace-level-analytics/workspace-segmentation) to benchmark projects, clients, or channels.
4. [**Share results**](/analytics/reporting/analytics-sharing). Generate a public, read-only analytics link for stakeholders when your plan allows.

## Two levels of analysis

### Link-Level (granular view)

Use this to **diagnose a single link**: confirm spikes, validate setup, and trace conversions for that link.

You’ll see **clicks & QR scans**, **unique vs. total**, **referrers**, **devices & browsers**, **countries**, and **event/conversion counts**. Trends over time include tooltips for exact values.

<Info>
  **See**: [**What metrics are available for individual links in ShortPen?**](/analytics/link-level-analytics/link-level-metrics).
</Info>

### Workspace-Level (aggregate view)

Use this to analyze **everything in the workspace** at once. Filter or group by **folder**, **tag**, **domain**, or a **selection of links** to compare campaigns, clients, or channels over time.

Ideal for **big-picture decisions** and **cross-campaign benchmarking**.

<Info>
  **See**: [**How to view aggregate metrics for your ShortPen workspace**](/analytics/workspace-level-analytics/workspace-level-metrics)
</Info>

## When to use which

* **Use Link-Level when you need to:** verify a spike on one URL, compare A/B assets, or [attribute conversions](/analytics/link-level-analytics/link-conversion-analytics) to **one specific link**.
* **Use Workspace-Level when you need to:** [compare folders or tags](/analytics/workspace-level-analytics/workspace-segmentation), evaluate **trends across channels**, or **aggregate conversions** across many links.

<Tip>
  **Note (Free plan):** Basic analytics show totals and only the top rows in each table. Upgrade to see full data and advanced filters.
</Tip>

## FAQ

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="What’s the difference between Link Analytics and Workspace Analytics?">
    Link Analytics shows data for a single URL, including clicks, scans, sources, devices, and geographies. Workspace Analytics aggregates data across multiple links, letting you compare performance by folders, tags, or campaigns.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Do I need the Pixel for analytics?">
    No for basic metrics like clicks and scans. Yes if you want to track post-click events and conversions. Install the ShortPen Pixel to connect engagement to outcomes.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I share analytics externally?">
    Yes. You can generate a public, read-only analytics link to share with stakeholders.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Where do I start for a brand-new link?">
    Begin with the guide "[**How to view analytics for your first ShortPen link**](../getting-started/view-first-analytics)**"** to explore your first report.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Related links

* [**How to view analytics for your first ShortPen link**](/getting-started/view-first-analytics)
* [**How to view conversions for a single ShortPen link**](/analytics/link-level-analytics/link-conversion-analytics)
* [**How Workspaces work in ShortPen**](/key-concepts/workspaces-overview)
* [**How to create the ShortPen Pixel**](/event-tracking/shortpen-pixel/pixel-creation)