What is GA4 (Google Analytics 4)
GA4 (Google Analytics 4) is the latest version of Google Analytics, which was introduced in October 2020. It is the next generation of the Google Analytics platform and offers a new way of tracking website and app data.
The main difference between GA4 and the previous version of Google Analytics (Universal Analytics) is that GA4 is built around an event-driven data model, while Universal Analytics is session-based. This means that GA4 is designed to be more flexible and able to track user behavior across multiple platforms and devices.
GA4 also provides new features such as advanced machine learning capabilities, more powerful data visualization tools, and cross-device tracking. It also includes an improved user interface that makes it easier to navigate and use the platform.
Overall, GA4 represents a significant update to the Google Analytics platform and is designed to provide businesses with more accurate and detailed insights into their customers’ behavior.
Benefits of Google Analytics 4
Google Analytics 4 (GA4) offers several benefits for businesses that want to better understand their customers’ behavior and optimize their online presence. By using an event-driven data model, advanced machine learning capabilities, and enhanced cross-device tracking, GA4 provides businesses with more accurate, detailed, and actionable insights into their customers’ behavior. Additionally, GA4 includes improved privacy controls, simplified user interface, and more powerful data visualization tools that make it easier for businesses to manage their data and gain insights quickly. Overall, GA4 is a significant update to the Google Analytics platform and provides businesses with the tools they need to stay ahead in an increasingly competitive digital landscape.
There are several benefits to using Google Analytics 4 (GA4), including:
- Event-driven data model: GA4 is built around an event-driven data model, which allows you to track user behavior more accurately and in more detail. This means you can track specific actions such as button clicks, form submissions, and video views, as well as track user engagement across multiple platforms and devices.
- Enhanced machine learning capabilities: GA4 includes advanced machine learning capabilities that can help you to analyze your data and uncover insights automatically. This includes features such as automated insights, predictive metrics, and anomaly detection.
- Improved data visualization: GA4 includes more powerful data visualization tools that can help you to visualize your data more effectively. This includes features such as customizable dashboards, real-time data streaming, and data exploration tools.
- Cross-device tracking: GA4 includes improved cross-device tracking capabilities, which means you can track user behavior across multiple devices such as mobile phones, tablets, and desktop computers.
- Better privacy controls: GA4 includes improved privacy controls, which means you can more easily manage user consent and data-sharing settings.
- Simplified user interface: GA4 includes a new and improved user interface that makes it easier to navigate and use the platform. This includes features such as streamlined menus, improved data visualization, and easier-to-use reporting tools.
Implementation of Google Analytics 4 (Default Way)
1. Set up a GA4 property in your Google Analytics account by going to the Admin section and creating a new property.
2. Obtain the Measurement ID for your GA4 property. It is a unique identifier that starts with “G-“.
3. Add the GA4 tracking code to your website by placing it in the head section of your website’s HTML code, just before the closing </head> tag. The tracking code should look like this:
<script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-XXXXXXXXXX"></script>
<script>
window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || [];
function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);}
gtag('js', new Date());
gtag('config', 'G-XXXXXXXXXX');
</script>Replace the “G-XXXXXXXXXX” with your Measurement ID.
4. Add custom events to your website to track specific actions, such as button clicks or form submissions. You can do this by using the gtag() function in your JavaScript code.
5. Verify that your GA4 implementation is working correctly by checking the real-time reports in your Google Analytics account.
Implementation of Google Analytics 4 (Google Tag Manager)
1. Set up a GA4 property in your Google Analytics account by going to the Admin section and creating a new property.
2. Obtain the Measurement ID for your GA4 property. It is a unique identifier that starts with “G-“.
3. Create a new tag in Google Tag Manager by going to the Tags section and clicking “New”.
4. Choose “Google Analytics: GA4 Configuration” as the tag type.
5. Enter your Measurement ID in the “Measurement ID” field.
6. Choose your desired triggering options for the tag. For example, you might want the tag to fire on all pages of your website.
7. Save the tag and publish your changes to Google Tag Manager.
8. Add custom events to your website to track specific actions, such as button clicks or form submissions. You can do this by using the built-in GA4 event tags or by creating your own custom event tags in Google Tag Manager.
9. Verify that your GA4 implementation is working correctly by checking the real-time reports in your Google Analytics 4 account.
