Reliability of AB testing for site search?

1. Choose the right metrics to test.

When testing site search, you can test a variety of metrics, such as:

• Click-through rate (CTR)
• Conversion rate
• Number of searches per session
• Average search session length
• Bounce rate
• Exit rate

Choose the metrics that are most important to your business goals. For example, if your goal is to increase sales, you might want to test metrics such as conversion rate and average order value.

2. Calculate the sample size you need.

The sample size you need depends on the statistical significance level you want to achieve and the expected difference between the two variations. You can use a sample size calculator to help you determine the correct sample size.

3. Randomly assign users to the test and control groups.

To ensure that your results are not biased, you need to randomly assign users to the test and control groups. You can use a tool like Google Analytics to do this.

4. Run the test for a long enough period of time.

The longer you run the test, the more confident you can be in the results. However, you also need to consider the cost and resources required to run the test. A good rule of thumb is to run the test for at least two weeks.

5. Analyze the results using a statistical analysis tool.

Once the test is complete, you need to analyze the results using a statistical analysis tool. This will help you determine if there is a statistically significant difference between the two variations.

6. Review the results carefully for any biases.

Even if the results are statistically significant, you should still review them carefully for any biases. For example, if the test was run during a busy holiday season, the results may be skewed.