Getting the Hang of Google Analytics 4What’s GA4 All About?
Google Analytics 4 (GA4) is the new kid on the block in Google’s web analytics family. Unlike the old Universal Analytics, GA4 brings a fresh, smarter way to look at your data. It’s designed to give you a clearer picture of what your users are up to, using fancy machine learning and better privacy features. Plus, GA4 can track both your website and app data in one place, making life a whole lot easier.
How’s GA4 Different from Universal Analytics?
Switching from Universal Analytics to GA4? Here’s what you need to know:
| Feature | Universal Analytics (UA) | Google Analytics 4 (GA4) |
|---|---|---|
| Data Collection | Hit-based (page views, events, transactions) | Event-based (everything’s an event) |
| Tracking | Separate properties for web and app data | One property for both web and app data |
| Reporting | Pre-made reports | Customizable reports with fewer default options |
| Privacy Controls | Basic privacy features | Better privacy controls and data retention settings |
| Analysis | Standard tools | Advanced tools with machine learning |
| Sessions | Affected by campaign parameters and midnight resets | Starts with session_start event, not affected by midnight or new campaign parameters |
GA4’s event-based model means every little thing, from page views to transactions, is an event. This gives you more detailed data and lets you customize how you collect it. Plus, having one property for both web and app data makes tracking and analyzing way simpler, giving you a full view of what your users are doing.
GA4 also steps up its game with privacy controls, making it easier to follow global data protection laws. You can manage how long you keep data and get user consent more effectively, keeping your analytics practices legit (Yellow Duck Marketing).
For SEOs and digital marketers, knowing these differences is key to boosting website performance and hitting those business goals. Want to set up GA4? Check out our guide on how to set up Google Analytics 4. Also, get familiar with and what is a session in Google Analytics to make the most of GA4.
Switching to Google Analytics 4
Moving to Google Analytics 4 (GA4) isn’t just a flip of a switch. It needs some good ol’ planning and a bit of elbow grease. This guide will help SEOs and digital marketers get their analytics setup running smoothly on GA4.
Getting Ready
Before you jump into GA4, you gotta prep. This means knowing the differences between GA4 and Universal Analytics and making sure your team is on board.
- Check Your Current Setup: Look at your Universal Analytics setup. Write down all your custom events, goals, and settings.
- Get Everyone on the Same Page: Make sure everyone knows about the switch and how it will change reporting and data tracking.
- Train Your Team: Teach your team about GA4’s new features and interface. Get them familiar with what is google analytics and what is a dimension in google analytics.
Setting Up GA4
Setting up a GA4 property is the first technical step in the migration process.
- Create a New GA4 Property:
- Go to the Google Analytics Admin panel.
- Click “Create Property” and pick “GA4 Setup Assistant”.
- Follow the steps to create your new GA4 property.
- Data Streams:
- Set up data streams for your website and/or mobile app.
- GA4 lets you track website and app data in the same property, using a unified data schema (Funnel).
- Tag Implementation:
- Add the GA4 tracking code to your website.
- Use Google Tag Manager to make managing and customizing easier.
Collecting Data
Once your GA4 property is set up, make sure you’re collecting accurate data from your website and/or app.
- Event Tracking:
- In GA4, every interaction is an event (Funnel).
- Set up custom events to track specific user actions. Use the GA4 interface to define event parameters that give more context about user actions (what are events in google analytics).
- Enhanced Measurement:
- Turn on Enhanced Measurement in GA4 to automatically track common interactions like page views, scrolls, and outbound clicks without extra tagging.
- Data Validation:
- Regularly check the Realtime report in GA4 to make sure data is being collected correctly.
- Compare key metrics between Universal Analytics and GA4 to spot any differences (how to check if google analytics is working).
- User-ID Tracking:
- Set up User-ID tracking for a better view of user behavior across devices.
- This feature allows for more accurate user reporting and advanced analysis.
By following these steps, SEOs and digital marketers can smoothly switch to GA4 and start using its advanced features for better data insights. For more help, check out articles on how to set up google analytics 4 and what data does google analytics collect.
Advanced Migration Steps
Migrating to Google Analytics 4 (GA4) can feel like a big leap, but with the right steps, SEOs and digital marketers can make the transition smooth and effective. Here’s how to handle mapping custom events, importing data, linking to BigQuery, and using User-ID for better reporting.
Mapping Custom Events
GA4 tracks events differently than Universal Analytics, offering more flexibility and deeper insights into user interactions. To keep your data consistent, you need to map your existing custom events from Universal Analytics to GA4.
Steps to map custom events:
- List out the custom events you’re currently tracking in Universal Analytics.
- Define the corresponding events in GA4, making sure they fit GA4’s event structure.
- Implement these custom events using GA4 event parameters.
For example, if you have a custom event in Universal Analytics called “Video Play,” you’d set it up in GA4 like this:
| Universal Analytics Event | GA4 Event |
|---|---|
| Event Category: Videos | Event Name: video_play |
| Event Action: Play | Event Parameter: action_play |
| Event Label: Video Title | Event Parameter: video_title |
Need more details? Check out our article on what are events in google analytics.
Data Import and BigQuery Linking
GA4 makes it easier to import data and link to BigQuery, which is a game-changer for large websites and apps with complex data needs.
Steps to import data and link to BigQuery:
- If you don’t have a BigQuery project, set one up.
- Link your GA4 property to BigQuery by going to the Admin section in GA4, selecting BigQuery Linking under the Property column, and following the prompts.
- Configure your BigQuery export settings to ensure data flows correctly from GA4 to BigQuery.
Why link to BigQuery?
- Access raw event data for deeper analysis.
- Merge GA4 data with other data sources.
- Use SQL for advanced querying.
For more info, see our guide on how to export google analytics data.
Leveraging User-ID for Reporting
GA4’s User-ID feature lets you track users across multiple devices and platforms, giving you a clearer picture of user behavior.
Steps to leverage User-ID in GA4:
- Enable User-ID tracking in your GA4 property by going to the Admin section and selecting User-ID under the Property column.
- Implement the User-ID in your website or app code, making sure it’s consistently assigned to users across sessions and devices.
- Use the User-ID reporting feature in GA4 to analyze user behavior across different touchpoints.
Why use User-ID?
- More accurate user reporting.
- Better understanding of user behavior across devices.
- Enhanced segmentation and personalization.
For a detailed walkthrough, check our article on what is user engagement in google analytics.
By following these advanced migration steps, SEOs and digital marketers can fully tap into GA4’s capabilities, ensuring accurate and comprehensive data collection and analysis. This will lead to smarter decisions and better performance measurement.
GA4 Reporting and Insights
With Google Analytics 4 (GA4), SEOs and digital marketers can tap into their data goldmine to make smarter decisions. This section dives into customer insights, advanced analytics, and tracking user interactions.
Actionable Customer Insights
GA4 offers privacy-safe insights, giving you a clearer picture of how users behave and engage. With its enhanced measurement features, GA4 lets you track a wide range of events and interactions, providing a full view of customer journeys ().
GA4’s advanced data collection methods help you spot patterns and trends, making it easier to find opportunities for improvement. By using these insights, businesses can enhance user experiences and boost conversions. For more on how GA4 can help your marketing, check out our guide on what is user engagement in google analytics.
Utilizing Advanced Analytics
GA4 brings a bunch of advanced analytics features that go beyond what Universal Analytics offers. These include better privacy controls and flexible tracking options, making it easier to get detailed insights into user interactions and behaviors.
Marketers can use GA4’s exploratory analysis tools to dig deeper into their data, uncovering hidden patterns and correlations. The platform also supports natural language queries, letting users ask questions about their analytics data and get quick, actionable answers (LinkedIn).
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Enhanced Measurement | Tracks events automatically without extra coding |
| Natural Language Queries | Makes data querying easy with natural language |
| Exploratory Analysis | Offers tools for in-depth data analysis |
For a detailed look at GA4’s advanced analytics capabilities, visit our article on what is a metric in google analytics.
Tracking User Interactions
One of GA4’s standout features is its ability to track a wide range of user interactions, giving you a more complete view of user behavior. GA4’s flexible event tracking system lets marketers capture specific actions, like clicks, form submissions, and video plays, without needing custom coding.
By mapping custom events and using the user-ID feature, businesses can gain insights into individual user journeys across multiple devices and sessions. This detailed tracking helps identify key touchpoints and optimize marketing strategies.
To get the most out of tracking user interactions in GA4, it’s crucial to set up and configure events correctly. For guidance on setting up event tracking, check out our article on what are events in google analytics.
GA4’s reporting and insights capabilities empower SEOs and digital marketers to make data-driven decisions, improve user experiences, and drive business growth. By leveraging GA4’s advanced features, businesses can stay ahead of the competition and achieve their marketing goals.