Google Analytics UA to GA4

Effective as of

JULY 1, 2023

What is GA4

read only

no longer new data for UA

distinct google analytics property

UA collects from ONE source

GA4 collects across data streams (mobile, iOS, Droid)

GA4 = Event based data

not session

Cookie-less

"Lifecycle" reports replace old reports

mostly just website

GA4 Notable and New

All about how people get to your website

Shows which channels lead to website

Engagement Tab

shows interaction

Events are designed by YOU

Monetization

shows item bought and views

Retention

New users

returning customers

show lifetime value

Avoids BOUNCE RATE

Audience

replaced with "comparisons"

= "Google Analytics version 4"

Migration to GA4 ✅

GA4 takes in data across multiple channels

defined by you

Phase 2

Phase 3

Phase 1

Phase 4

Create your GA4 property and Launch it

Make list of your key items

Begin migrating individual items to GA4

Check your items

Phase 5

Phase 6

Determine date for mmigration as single source of truth

Archive your UA data

Notable

No backsies

GA4 only start tracking data from the moment you create it and forward.

GA4 will NOT import historical data

To launch the new property...

  1. Create new GA4 "property"
  1. Add new GA4 tracking tag to your site
  1. Easier with Google Tag Manager (tm)
  1. After deployment, check reports to make sure you see traffic data being collected.

Create and launch ASAP (July 1, UA is done)

Notable

  1. Make a list of the tracking items needed for your properties

Notable

[EVENTS]

Notable

asdfasdfasdfas

Notable

asdfasdfasdf

Notable

asdfasdfasdfas

No inheritance (goals/events) from any other properties

Common tracking items include

Events

Goals (Conversion)

Content Groupings

Custom Dimensions/Metrics

Referral Exclusions

PRoduct LInk Connections

Audiences

new tracking items

new goals

new events

  1. You will need to recreate your goals in each reporting views

GA limits you to 30 conversions per property

Note which items are "non-event" goals

Like destination based

[GOALS (CONVERSIONS)]

[CONTENT GROUPING]

[CUSTOM DIMENSIONS/METRICS]

[REFERRAL EXCLUSIONS]

[PRODUCT LINK EXTENSIONS]

[AUDIENCES]

[ECOMMERCE]

Similar for some

Scroll depth is automatic

Check automated goals

Check in "CONFIGURE"

Use Google Tag Manager

All goals are event-based

Start with event-based goals

Do Conversions

Then destination-based

then engagement goals

All content groups are created through page tagging

Nice, but requires a LOT of time investment

1 page can have multiple gtags

Use tag manager

2 STEP PROCESS

Existing Product links will work

Appear at top level

Connect to Google Ads

CAMPAIGN TAGGING

click to edit

Analytics is about:

  • How did they get here
    
  • what did they do once here?