Wi-Fi tracking analytics estimates visitor numbers and movement by detecting the signals that smartphones send when searching for Wi-Fi networks. Access points or sensors record a device identifier and signal strength to estimate presence and location.
Devices are detected as they come within range, and the system infers when a device arrives, how long it stays and sometimes which zone it is in. The result is a count of devices, not people, so it must be adjusted for people with no phone, several devices or phones with Wi-Fi switched off.
Shopping centres and larger venues use it to see visitor numbers across wide areas, repeat visits and dwell time where door counters are hard to install. It can complement a door counter but rarely replaces one for precise entry counts.
Modern phones often randomise the identifier used while scanning, which makes tracking individuals over time much less reliable. Signals can also pass through walls, so passers-by are counted as visitors. Because an identifier can link to a person, privacy obligations need careful review, including notice to customers and limits on retention.
It can add useful context for large sites, but counts should be validated against a physical counter before being trusted.