{"id":7776,"date":"2022-09-14T14:40:48","date_gmt":"2022-09-14T14:40:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alphametic.com\/?p=7776"},"modified":"2022-10-06T18:02:25","modified_gmt":"2022-10-06T18:02:25","slug":"trusted-guide-to-google-analytics-4","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alphametic.com\/trusted-guide-to-google-analytics-4","title":{"rendered":"A Trusted Guide to Google Analytics 4"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-7900\" src=\"https:\/\/alphametic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/project-2-final-1030x1030.png\" alt=\"Guide to Google Analytics 4\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alphametic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/project-2-final-1030x1030.png 1030w, https:\/\/alphametic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/project-2-final-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/alphametic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/project-2-final-80x80.png 80w, https:\/\/alphametic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/project-2-final-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/alphametic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/project-2-final-1536x1536.png 1536w, https:\/\/alphametic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/project-2-final-2048x2048.png 2048w, https:\/\/alphametic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/project-2-final-36x36.png 36w, https:\/\/alphametic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/project-2-final-180x180.png 180w, https:\/\/alphametic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/project-2-final-1500x1500.png 1500w, https:\/\/alphametic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/project-2-final-705x705.png 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/h3>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, you&#8217;ve heard that Google Analytics 4 (GA4) will be replacing Universal Analytics in 2023 and you are asking yourself how the two Analytics platforms differ, and how to proceed.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><strong>GTM &amp; Simplicity<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Google Analytics 4 is meant to be a simplification of Universal Analytics, taking a variety of steps off your shoulders as a user. For example, since GA4 is now events-based, rather than page view based, you will not have to deal with code implementation, or at least your developer won&#8217;t have to. GA4 will incorporate this step of the conversion tracking strategy.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It&#8217;s simple! All you have to do is to add the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">gtag.js <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">code to your website. With this quick connection, you can track multiple destinations from one tag, rather than setting up multiple tags for these destinations. However, it is important to keep in mind that GTM will still provide you with a higher level of event-based tracking, with its multiple tag capabilitie<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">s.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Data Sharing Between Universal Analytics and GA4<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Unfortunately, data accrued on UA cannot be transferred to a new or existing GA4 property. Since GA4 is event-based and UA is page view-based, metrics utilized between the two platforms do not correspond to one another and will not match. For example, GA4 &#8220;goals&#8221; are now renamed \u201cConversions\u201d, and all goals are event-based.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Cookies<\/strong> <\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In terms of security for both user and advertiser, Google will stop using 3rd party cookies in 2022. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The goal being to manage success for the advertiser while maintaining safety protocols for users. Consequently, the gaps in behavioral data that will surely result from this change will be filled in by predictive modeling. Overall, Google Analytics 4 is a solution for privacy-compliant attribution and the move into a cookieless world.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Benefits<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Data-driven attribution<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>GA4 will default to data-driven attribution, a noteworthy shift from last-non direct click attribution in Universal Analytics. Data-driven attribution looks at all interactions, not just the last non-direct click.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Configurable attribution<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>Attribution is also configurable, giving you control to adjust and meet the needs of your marketing objectives.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Streamlined cross-domain tracking<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>Cross-domain tracking has been extremely simplified. The process can now be easily setup in admin settings. Google will now also automatically exclude self-referrals.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Setup via Universal Analytics<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To create your GA4 property via Analytics, the following instructions should allow for a seamless set-up.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Google Analytics, click Settings Admin (lower left).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the Account column, make sure that your desired account is selected. (If you only have one Google Analytics account, it&#8217;s already selected.)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the Property column, select the Universal Analytics property that currently collects data for your website.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the Property column, click GA4 Setup Assistant. It is the first option in the Property column.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-7831 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/alphametic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Screen-Shot-2022-09-29-at-2.31.24-PM-e1664998446198-1030x335.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1030\" height=\"335\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alphametic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Screen-Shot-2022-09-29-at-2.31.24-PM-e1664998446198-1030x335.png 1030w, https:\/\/alphametic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Screen-Shot-2022-09-29-at-2.31.24-PM-e1664998446198-300x97.png 300w, https:\/\/alphametic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Screen-Shot-2022-09-29-at-2.31.24-PM-e1664998446198-768x250.png 768w, https:\/\/alphametic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Screen-Shot-2022-09-29-at-2.31.24-PM-e1664998446198-1536x499.png 1536w, https:\/\/alphametic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Screen-Shot-2022-09-29-at-2.31.24-PM-e1664998446198-2048x665.png 2048w, https:\/\/alphametic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Screen-Shot-2022-09-29-at-2.31.24-PM-e1664998446198-1500x487.png 1500w, https:\/\/alphametic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Screen-Shot-2022-09-29-at-2.31.24-PM-e1664998446198-705x229.png 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1030px) 100vw, 1030px\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Click Get started under \u201cI want to create a new Google Analytics 4 property\u201d<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-7846 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/alphametic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Screen-Shot-2022-09-29-at-2.31.39-PM-1-e1664998542260-1030x353.png\" alt=\"GA4\" width=\"1030\" height=\"353\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alphametic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Screen-Shot-2022-09-29-at-2.31.39-PM-1-e1664998542260-1030x353.png 1030w, https:\/\/alphametic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Screen-Shot-2022-09-29-at-2.31.39-PM-1-e1664998542260-300x103.png 300w, https:\/\/alphametic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Screen-Shot-2022-09-29-at-2.31.39-PM-1-e1664998542260-768x263.png 768w, https:\/\/alphametic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Screen-Shot-2022-09-29-at-2.31.39-PM-1-e1664998542260-1536x526.png 1536w, https:\/\/alphametic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Screen-Shot-2022-09-29-at-2.31.39-PM-1-e1664998542260-2048x701.png 2048w, https:\/\/alphametic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Screen-Shot-2022-09-29-at-2.31.39-PM-1-e1664998542260-1500x513.png 1500w, https:\/\/alphametic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Screen-Shot-2022-09-29-at-2.31.39-PM-1-e1664998542260-705x241.png 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1030px) 100vw, 1030px\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your site uses the gtag.js, tag, you have the option to Enable data collection using your existing tags.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Click Create Property.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you click Create Property, the setup wizard<\/span>\n<ol style=\"list-style-type: lower-alpha;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Creates your new GA4 property.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Copies the property name, website URL, timezone, and currency settings from your Universal Analytics property.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Activates enhanced measurement in your GA4 property.<\/span>\n<ol style=\"list-style-type: lower-roman;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enhanced measurement lets you measure interactions with your content by enabling options (events) in the Google Analytics interface. No code changes are required. When you enable these options for a web data stream, your Google Analytics tag starts sending events right away. (<a href=\"https:\/\/support.google.com\/analytics\/answer\/9216061\">Google Analytics Support<\/a>)\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Creates a connection between your Universal Analytics and GA4 properties. This connection makes it possible for you to use Setup Assistant in your Google Analytics 4 property to migrate configurations from your Universal Analytics property to your GA4 property.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(If your site is tagged with gtag.js and you elected to Enable data collection using your existing tags in Step 6 above) Creates a connected site tag between your Universal Analytics and GA4 properties.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once this process is complete, you will see &#8220;You have successfully connected your properties&#8221; at the top of your Google Analytics 4 Property Setup Assistant page. (<a href=\"https:\/\/support.google.com\/analytics\/answer\/9744165?hl=en\">Google Analytics Support<\/a>)\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make a note of your GA4 property&#8217;s name so you can find it later. If your Universal Analytics property name is &#8220;Example property (UA-xxxxxxx)&#8221;, your GA4 property name will be &#8220;Example property (xxxxxxx)&#8221;, without a &#8220;UA-&#8221; prefix, and where xxxxxxx is a new property number. Click See your GA4 property to open Setup Assistant in your new GA4 property.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the GA4 Setup Assistant wizard provided the option to Enable data collection using your existing tags (and you left this option selected), your new GA4 property should now be collecting data. (Step 6)<\/span>\n<ol style=\"list-style-type: lower-alpha;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It can take up to 30 minutes for data to begin appearing in your new GA4 property<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\">Get Started, you&#8217;re ready to go!<\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-7805 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/alphametic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Screen-Shot-2022-09-14-at-10.17.19-AM-1030x553.jpeg\" alt=\"Google Analytics 4 Property Setup \" width=\"1030\" height=\"553\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alphametic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Screen-Shot-2022-09-14-at-10.17.19-AM-1030x553.jpeg 1030w, https:\/\/alphametic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Screen-Shot-2022-09-14-at-10.17.19-AM-300x161.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/alphametic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Screen-Shot-2022-09-14-at-10.17.19-AM-768x413.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/alphametic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Screen-Shot-2022-09-14-at-10.17.19-AM-705x379.jpeg 705w, https:\/\/alphametic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/Screen-Shot-2022-09-14-at-10.17.19-AM.jpeg 1197w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1030px) 100vw, 1030px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>For additional help with migrating to Google Analytics 4, or interest in <a href=\"https:\/\/alphametic.com\/digital-advertising-services\">digital advertising services<\/a>, please reach out to us at Alphametic. We help businesses grow customers using Google and Facebook with SEO, digital ads, and smart content. <a href=\"https:\/\/alphametic.com\/contact\">Contact us<\/a> today.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sources:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/support.google.com\/analytics\/answer\/9304153?hl=en&amp;ref_topic=9303319\">support.google.com\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.analyticsmania.com\/post\/how-to-install-google-analytics-4-with-google-tag-manager\/\">analyticsmania.com\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/wewillthrive.co.uk\/resources\/blogs\/the-latest-ios-and-google-analytics-4-what-it-means-for-online-advertising\">wewillthrive.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>So, you&#8217;ve heard that Google Analytics 4 (GA4) will be replacing Universal Analytics in 2023 and you are asking yourself how the two Analytics platforms differ, and how to proceed. GTM &amp; Simplicity Google Analytics 4 is meant to be a simplification of Universal Analytics, taking a variety of steps off your shoulders as a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":7900,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[38],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alphametic.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7776"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alphametic.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alphametic.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alphametic.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alphametic.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7776"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/alphametic.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7776\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7901,"href":"https:\/\/alphametic.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7776\/revisions\/7901"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alphametic.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7900"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alphametic.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7776"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alphametic.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7776"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alphametic.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7776"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}