Getting started with Buffer's analytics features

Once your Buffer posts have published, it's time to measure their performance to see what resonates most with your followers. Our advanced analytics have you covered with metrics and insights such as engagement, reach, clicks, post shares, follower growth, and more.

In this article:

1. Overview of analytics
2. Creating and exporting custom reports
3. Video overview

Overview of analytics

With Buffer analytics, you have the option to view your posts' performance across all of your social channels in one glance or focus in on a specific social channel. You can find your advanced analytics via the "Analyze" tab.

In the analytics dashboard, your team members will be able to view metrics for any channel they have permission to access. Admins have the additional ability to create reports and access campaign metrics.

Overview of all social channels

Our "Home" page will consolidate all of your channels into one screen so you can get a high-level overview of how your posts are performing. The "Home" page is visible when you log into Buffer and first click the "Analyze" tab.

Individual channel metrics

To view the metrics for a specific social channel:

1. Select a social network on the left side of Buffer
2. Then, select a social channel from the dropdown at the top of the screen. If you only have one channel for any of your social networks, it will automatically be selected. However, if you have multiple channels (e.g. multiple Instagram accounts), you'll see them all listed within the dropdown and you can select one to view its analytics.

Creating and exporting custom reports

Once you've browsed the analytics, you can choose which charts and tables to add to a custom report. To add a chart or table to a report, click the plus (+) button above the report. 

Once you've clicked the plus sign, enter the name you’d like to use for your new report and then click Create Report. Alternatively, add the table or chart to an existing report by clicking on the report name.

Video overview

Here's a quick overview of some of the analytics available, how to navigate between the overall analytics and analytics for individual social channels, and how to create and export a custom report.