What are Page Loads when discussing webstats?

[chrisnrach17]

I monitor my website using statcounter. One of the stats it gives you is Page Loads. I was wondering what a Page Load is (I know it's when a page is loaded!) in relation to the other stats such as Unique Visitors/Returning Visitors.

I thought a page load was essentially the same as a unique visitor but each day the stat numbers differ for each.

thanks in advance.

[RNK1.com]

I think the number og pages that each user read even if the page refreshes it counts.

[khaty]

If someone visits your webpage, they are counted as one page load. so whether it is a unique visitor or returning visitor.

[oseymour]

a page load is a page load....a unique visitor is an individual visitor to your site...

[ArdRigh]

Page Load is the number of times your page has been visited. Normally, page load in statcounter is higher that unique visitors.