I've created a custom goal in Google Analytics with a required Funnel step 1--and the required step 1 is not being enforced.
Picture of problem: http://www.iibayarea.org/wp-content/themes/institute/resources/ScreenShot-1.png
When viewing the goal flow section of the reporting tab, Step 1 has less total sessions by source than step 2--which should be impossible. I can also clearly see in the visualization section of the Goal Flow report, sessions are flowing directly from sources to the destination step 2, without going through step 1--in short, the step 1 requirement is not being enforced.
Picture of problem: http://www.iibayarea.org/wp-content/themes/institute/resources/ScreenShot-2.png
This is causing my goal completion number to be artificially inflated (~2000%)
I have three other goals with Funnel requirements that are being properly enforced. I cannot see anything different about this one.
Any suggestions for correcting this?
I think I found the answer to my own question here: http://www.lunametrics.com/blog/2008/06/25/funnel-problems-google-analytics/#sr=so&m=r&cp=(sfgfssbm)&ct=/rvftujpot/11630325/hpphmf-bobmzujdt-hpbmt-xspoh-fousbodft-boe-fyjut-jo-gvoofm-tmc&ts=1408644836
Basically, when creating a goal, requiring a step only affects the funnel visualization report. It doesn't affect any other report--including goal completions.
As far as I can tell, you cannot require a step for purposes of goal completions. As long as someone navigates to the destination page, it is counted as a completion. It doesn't matter how they got there.
