The end of the year is marked by many events: time off work, over-eating, festivities, spending time with friends and families and data anomalies.

If you’re currently in the “slow zone” between Christmas and New Year, then chances are that you’ve been looking at your Google AdWords account and/or web server logs.

Doing so might have left you puzzled. Even more than usual.

All AdWords accounts and web servers see very clear seven-day cycles, and most will also see assorted seasonal trends.

Many websites will have consequently seen a drop in traffic over the last week, and may now be seeing a sudden surge of visitors. Yet for many, the quality of the new visitors is low.

Why? Because a lot of people are in the “no-real-work” zone right now, and it’s a lot easier to click on ads and explore websites than do any real work. That can wait until the New Year.

If you’re seeing any such trends, don’t lose any sleep over it. It’ll be business as usual by next week. See you in 2009.