title: Why is custom variable data in the Google Analytics Data Export API data different from my Google Analytics dashboard?
body: <p>I have a custom variable defined on my site and the data is being recorded properly in my Google Analytics account.  When I go to access the data via the Google Data Feed Query Explorer, the data I get isn't the same.  Really, this is only the case with 'Visits' and any metrics calculated using it.</p>
  
  <p>This is what I see in my dashboard:
  <a href="http://www.screencast.com/t/QJl21ZOmpw" rel="nofollow">http://www.screencast.com/t/QJl21ZOmpw</a></p>
  
  <p>This is what I see in the query explorer:
  <a href="http://www.screencast.com/t/WNGLiUUWum" rel="nofollow">http://www.screencast.com/t/WNGLiUUWum</a></p>
  
  <p>I made sure the time frame matches and have pulled the same metrics.  'Hits' (aka pageviews) match up perfectly every time.  Visits is obviously off and seems to be messing up other metrics that depend on it, such as 'Pages/Visit' (aka pageviews per visit).</p>
  
  <p>I have reviewed the code and the custom variable is being set prior to recording the pageview.  Am I missing something?  My understanding is that Google Uses this exact same API to run their Analytics Dashboard, so why am I getting different data?</p>