Annotations

The Annotations feature in FirstHive CDP allows you to create notes and attach them to specific dates in the past. These notes are simple text entries and can contain anything you’d like.

At first glance, this may seem like a small feature, but annotations are a powerful way to add context to your analytics data.

Why use Annotations?

Annotations give you the ability to connect data changes with real-world events. Every time you make changes to your website or business, you can note it down in FirstHive CDP. Whether it’s something as small as publishing a new blog post or as big as a complete website redesign, annotations ensure you can later understand why your data looks the way it does.

For example, if you run an offline marketing campaign, you might see a spike in website traffic without a specific tracked source. In the moment, it may be obvious that traffic increased because your business was featured on TV, but over time this context can get lost. With annotations, you’ll always have a record of such events linked directly to your analytics timeline.

Common Use Cases for Annotations

You can use annotations to capture events such as:

• Website updates – Content changes, new pages, blog posts, or a full redesign.
• Website maintenance – Downtime, layout changes, or updates.
• Software updates – Changes to your technology stack or integrations.
• Offline advertising – Print, radio, or TV campaigns.
• Business milestones – Product launches, partnerships, or expansions.
• Key calendar events – Black Friday, Easter sale, or seasonal campaigns.
• Search engine updates – Algorithm changes that impact rankings.
• Industry events – Trade shows, conferences, or sponsorships.

How Annotations Help

When you see sudden changes in your analytics, annotations help you quickly connect the dots.

• Positive changes → Double down on what worked.
• Negative changes → Identify issues early and adjust.

While annotations are helpful for offline or untagged activities, for digital campaigns it’s recommended to use campaign tagging for more detailed insights. Still, annotations remain invaluable for capturing context that automated tracking might miss.

With FirstHive CDP Annotations, you ensure that every key event—big or small—is remembered and can be tied back to your customer and website data.