Why do all traffic curves show a "saw tooth" pattern in Google Analytics

[Masoko-T]

Greetings Mozzers

This sounds like a dumb question, but it's bothering me just the same and I would like to think what the fine community of SEO experts at MOZ thinks

I have taken a look at the traffic curve for about 20 different sites in very different industries (home improvement, wedding party supplies, pet feeding systems) and it seems to me that they all show a saw tooth pattern, more or less like the one below.

[TomRayner]

Hey there

Looks like you've left off the attachment there, but I can imagine what you mean.

Quick question - what time-scale are you using to view things in Google Analytics?

Have you tried changing the view to weekly or monthly?  You can do this by clicking the buttons on the right-hand side of the dashboard, here's a screenshot: http://i.imgur.com/SEm37Kt.png

I've found that this often gets rid of that jagged effect you're talking about and allows for smoother data lines, which can help you identify trend lines a bit more easily.

Hope this helps.

[Masoko-T]

Hi Tom

Thanks for your answer. And yes, this jagged edge (saw tooth) pattern changes with the timescale. Sorry about the attachment, here it is again http://imgur.com/c9w4IkF

What i would really like to know is: does someone does NOT see this pattern in their daily traffic?. I would find it remarkable if everyone showed the saw tooth pattern,  independent of industry.

Cheers

[Linda-Vassily]

I see something similar; in my case it's because we get less traffic on weekends, so there is a weekly sawtooth. Do your dips correspond to weekends?

[KevinBudzynski]

Also, the weekend patterns get further amplified if you turn ppc off for the weekend.