Everything You Need To Know About Google Analytics 4

Google Analytics 4 (GA4) is the newest version of Google’s analytics platform. It was first released in October 2020, and is designed to increase privacy and be more flexible than Universal Analytics, the current analytics platform – that will retire on 1st July 2023.

What are the key features of GA4?

• Tracking across multiple platforms: GA4 can collect data from both websites and apps, giving you a more complete view of your customer engagement.
• Data collected is based on events: GA4 uses event-based data rather than session-based data. This means that you can track individual actions that users take on your site or app, rather than their entire session. Helping you to make informed decisions when it comes to your website.
• Privacy-focused: GA4 is designed to be more privacy-focused than Universal Analytics. It uses aggregated data and differential privacy to protect user privacy.
• Personalisable: GA4 is more flexible than Universal Analytics meaning you are able to customise your reports and create custom dimensions and metrics. Allowing you to analyse the data you are interested in more easily than before. 

When does GA4 change?

Google has said that Universal Analytics will stop processing new data on 1st July 2023. This means that any data collected after that date will not be sent to Universal Analytics.

How do I create a GA4 account?

If you want to continue using Google Analytics after 1st July 2023, you will need to create a GA4 property. You can do this by following these steps:

1. Go to the Google Analytics website and sign in to your account.
2. Click on the “Admin” tab.
3. In the “Property” section, click on the “Create Property” button.
4. Select “Google Analytics 4” as the property type.
5. Give your property a name and choose a tracking ID.
6. Click on the “Create” button.

Once you have created a GA4 property, you will then need to add the GA4 tracking code to your website or app in order to start collecting data.

What else should I know?

GA4 is still a work in progress! It is currently still under development meaning there are some features that are not yet available. However, Google is continually adding new features to GA4, and it’s expected to be a fully-featured analytics platform in the near future.

GA4 is not a Universal Analytics replacement! GA4 is a new separate product, suggesting that it is not a replacement for Universal Analytics. Universal Analytics will continue to be available until 1st July 2023. After this date, Universal Analytics will no longer collect new data and you must create a GA4 account.

GA4 is the future of Google Analytics. It is more privacy-focused, flexible, and powerful than Universal Analytics.

 If you are not already using GA4, we recommend that you start using it now. If you need any assistance, we are more than happy to help! Get in touch today.