Retroactive snapshots are previous versions of your site that can be used in Zoning Analysis based on Session Replay data. The Retroactive snapshots allow you to analyze older versions of your site, up to the number of days that have been set for the Session Replay data retention. For example, if you have 30 days of Session Replay, you will get 30 days of Retroactive snapshots.
When to use a retroactive snapshot
A retroactive snapshot is useful when comparing new and old design versions of your site, pages, or page elements. It’s an effective tool when performing an A/B test.
Creating a zoning using a retroactive snapshot
To analyze an older version of your page, create a new zoning using a retroactive snapshot of the page in question:
1. Click 'Select page or page group'.
2. Select which page you want want to create a zoning of and click 'Apply'.
3. Click 'Advanced setup'.
4. Click 'Replay' in the slide out and set up your Analysis Context under 'Filter your analysis'.
5. Click Start analysis, which opens the snapshot library.
When inside the library, select the screenshot you want to analyze by hovering over the snapshot and clicking 'Select'. You can select more than one snapshot at a time. It's also possible to preview the snapshot. Click on Preview, and a preview of your selected snapshot will appear in the side panel.
When you’ve selected the snapshot/ snapshots you want, click Start analysis and add to library.
You can also filter your snapshots further inside the library:
1. Searching for a snapshot of a specific page using the page’s URL.
2. Specifying or changing your Analysis context and page.
3. Specifying your scroll level to see pages containing lazy loaded content.
Creating a zoning with a dynamic page state
Using a dynamic page state means that you can analyze a zone’s state after it has been clicked or hovered. For example, an open menu or an active search field.
To analyze a dynamic page state, you need to edit a current snapshot.
1. Hover the snapshot on which you want to change the page state. Click the Modify snapshot (pen) icon that appears in the top-right corner.
2. Click on the zone you want to change the page state of in the snapshot.
3. In the snapshot selector (side panel) that opens, select the dynamic state you want to analyze.
4. Click Start analysis and add to library.
Changing your snapshot in the snapshot side panel
You can change the snapshot you are analyzing directly from the zoning interface. Click on My snapshots, and the side panel will open.
Using retroactive snapshots in the comparison mode
1. Open the Zoning Analysis and select a zoning.
2. Toggle on the comparison mode.
3. Click My snapshots.
4. Once the library opens, select the snapshot you want.
What if I can't find any retroactive snapshots for a page?
If you can't find any retroactive snapshots for a particular page it might be because you have 'Full page scrolled' selected as your Page scroll level.
Go to the Page scroll level drop-down and select 'Any scroll level' to populate more snapshots.