A worked example of reporting X follower location coverage

The answer in full

Location percentages become misleading when the reference population is hidden. This worked example uses invented teaching inputs: 600 profiles were collected, 360 have locations a researcher can interpret, and 90 mention a selected region. The region accounts for 15% of all collected profiles, calculated as 90 divided by 600. It accounts for 25% of the interpretable-location group, calculated as 90 divided by 360. The remaining 240 profiles are unresolved location evidence, not confirmed residents elsewhere. Revealed's Pro geography view supports research into self-reported profile locations; these manual calculations illustrate reporting choices rather than a claim about its interface categories or output. State how locations were interpreted and retain ambiguous entries instead of assigning them to a country by guesswork. Keep collection dates and coverage visible. Even an interpretable place name can be outdated or playful. Use the observation to frame a regional research question, then validate residence, travel willingness or event interest through separate evidence when those facts matter.

At a glance

Keep the unresolved group in the report

All counts are hypothetical. The researcher has defined an interpretable subset for this lesson; it is not a named Revealed feature or a real audience result.

The unresolved 240 profiles could contain people in the target region. Their absence from the interpreted subset cannot be treated as evidence of another location.

Use the percentage that answers the question

For a statement about the whole collection, report 15% alongside the unresolved group. For a statement about interpreted entries, 25% is appropriate only when the subset is explicit.

Presenting 25% as a share of the entire audience would overstate what the inputs establish. Neither proportion verifies residence or represents people who left no usable location.

Write a qualified regional observation

A useful note says that 90 of 600 hypothetical collected profiles mentioned the region, with 240 unresolved. It also names the interpretation rule and collection date.

For event planning, this can inform a hypothesis to test. Registrations, attendance and travel willingness remain separate questions.

What to keep in mind

• Counts and the interpreted subset are hypothetical teaching inputs.
• Self-reported locations do not establish current residence.
• Missing location evidence is not evidence of another region.