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X (Twitter) Metrics Differences - Complete Overview

A practical guide that contrasts Twitter’s native definitions with what our analytics can surface through the Twitter API.

Diana Gogolan avatar
Written by Diana Gogolan
Updated yesterday

How to Use This Guide: This guide explains all possible reasons why numbers in Twitter (X) analytics may differ from those in our platform.

Each metric includes the specific formulas, reasons for differences, and expected impact on your numbers.

Total Engagement

X (Twitter) doesn't have a specific formula for calculating engagement.

→ Formula

💡Reason: API limitations - clicks are not available through the API. To enable fair competitor analysis, only available metrics are included.

However, a more standardized formula exists that most marketers commonly use.

Twitter general formula

Socialinsider formula

likes + retweets + replies + quotes + clicks

likes + replies + retweets + quotes

→ Content Types Included

Twitter

Socialinsider

  • Tweets

  • Replies

  • Retweets

  • Quoted Retweets


  • Tweets

  • Quoted Retweets

→ Attribution Model

💡Reason: API constraint - post-level attribution is used for both connected and competitor accounts.

Twitter

Socialinsider

  • May attribute interactions to the day they happened

  • Attributes interactions to the day the post was published (post attribution)

  • Example: interactions received in September for an August post are counted in August (and attributed to the day the post was published)


Total Posts

Differs based on which formats and ad types are counted.

→ What is included

💡 Reason: API limitations - X (Twitter) limits how many tweets we can retrieve through their API.

Twitter

Socialinsider

  • Tweets

  • Replies

  • Retweets

  • Quoted Retweets

  • Tweets

  • Quoted Retweets


Followers' Growth

Historical values before onboarding are estimated. Tracking starts when the profile is first added to Socialinsider.

💡 Reason: API limitation on historical follower counts.

Twitter

Socialinsider

  • Native app shows full history

  • Estimates for dates before the account was added

  • Exact tracking begins on the first day the account is added

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