{"id":14500,"date":"2022-12-05T14:12:42","date_gmt":"2022-12-05T14:12:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dopinger.com\/blog\/?p=14500"},"modified":"2024-10-02T07:47:04","modified_gmt":"2024-10-02T07:47:04","slug":"google-analytics-4","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dopinger.com\/blog\/google-analytics-4","title":{"rendered":"Google Analytics 4: A Complete Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It’s time to familiarize ourselves with Google Analytics 4 a little better. Why? Well, simply because it will be the new way to go for data collection through Google as of July 2023. There’s no need to panic since the transition is quite a smoothly progressive one. In other words, we all still have time to prepare ourselves. Nevertheless, we ought to know what will or has already started to change with this new version.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most pressing question is: Did Analytics 4 overcome the weaknesses of Universal Analytics in terms of user privacy protection? We will look at that in our article while briefly exploring the other novelties. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>What Is Google Analytics 4?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Schematically put, it’s nothing but the beloved (or despised, for some) Google Analytics, new and improved in many ways. For those who might be wondering what Google Analytics is, to begin with, let’s quickly clarify. It can be typically defined as Google’s in-house web analytics service. As a pretty extensive toolbox, it allows you to track the statistics primarily related to users visiting your website. Thanks to the data and major tendencies you gather and observe through it, so you can better plan your marketing strategies. It also provides valuable support for SEO<\/a> (Search Engine Optimization) since it helps you investigate how people interact with your site. Thus you know what you should keep, discard and\/or improve to make it work better. <\/p>\n\n\n

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It’s generally admitted that the first version was built via the Urchin platform in 2005. One year later, the service officially became Google Analytics. In 2012, a major modification was made again with a new version called Universal Analytics. That’s probably the one most of us are familiar with because it targets increasing mobile device users. Indeed, mobile browsing and applications rendered some innovations necessary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So the service became more customizable and flexible over time. Notwithstanding, the European authorities were not happy to notice growing issues regarding user privacy. That’s right; the current Google Analytics 4 is meant to solve those. We will get back to this last point later in the article. But all in all, what we’re talking about here is the fourth major version of Google’s data collection service. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>To Transition, or Not to Transition, That Is Not<\/em> the Question<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As simple as that. You need to switch to Google Analytics version 4 because the Universal version will no longer be available after July 1, 2023. Why would you deprive yourself of technical and statistical refinements likely to support your marketing efforts even more efficiently? That doesn’t make sense, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the moment, you can run it simultaneously with Universal Analytics. So you won’t find yourself lost in the middle of some drastic changes all of a sudden. Take the time to discover the property at your own pace and get ready step by step. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>How to Set Up Google Analytics 4<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The purpose of this article is also to provide you with a Google Analytics 4 tutorial, be it partially. You probably wonder where to get started and also upgrade Google Analytics on your own. Here’s what to do:<\/p>\n\n\n

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Go to Your Google Analytics Account<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You need to access your Google Analytics account first, so start by logging in as usual. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Go to The Admin Settings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, Click ‘Admin’. As a reminder, it’s the section accessible via the gear icon on the bottom left side of the screen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Proceed with the Confirmations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Confirm that you have selected your target account, then confirm once more that you have selected your target property. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finalize with the GA4 Setup Assistant<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the Property column, you should see a GA4 Setup Assistant, then click on it and hit “Get Started”. Now, you may click the blue button called ‘Get Started’. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you see, the configuration in itself is easy as pie. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There’s one thing you should especially pay attention to. By default, this assistant works with the Google tag (gtag.js). So if you use a builder such as WordPress, add the Analytics tag yourself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What’s next? Well, here you are, equipped with a quasi-automated, ready-to-use tracking tool. Indeed, once the property is created, the assistant will take care of your target measurements. Do note, however, that you will still need custom code when dealing with some activities involving third-party components. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/span>Major Changes in Google Analytics 4 <\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So what does the new Google Analytics promise to its public? Almost a paradigm shift. We notice a fresher, more modern look at some essential elements. It gives up the older user approach in terms of ‘behavior’ and prefers talking about ‘engagement’ now. That is a more complex and realistic way of seeing things regarding interactivity, but don’t worry about the word ‘complexity’ used here. The engagement-related metrics Google focuses on now aren’t so hard to grasp. If a session lasts more than 10 seconds, or if there are at least two page\/screen views, or if the visit leads to a conversion, then jackpot<\/em>. You got your so-called engagement. The related metrics are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n