Google Analytics 4 user guide in 2023
In the fast-paced world of today, almost everything around us is perpetually undergoing changes and developments to evolve into something new and better than earlier. From the emergence of hi-tech technologies like AR or VR to even the swiftly evolving multinational corporations, the world is always on the move to enhance its reach. In this rapidly moving world, businesses are continuously popping up and are wading across the neck-deep waters of competition almost always.
Stuck in such a juncture, almost every kind of business, like the escape room businesses, for instance, relies on different efficient web analytics tools to move ahead in the market. Amongst all the popularly used web analytics measurement tools available today, Google Analytics 4 is the latest version offered by Google. Many businesses worldwide now rely on this tool to access advanced tracking and reporting features for their business websites.
In this article, we will offer you a complete user guide for handling Google Analytics 4 in 2023. So, check it out:
What is new in Google Analytics 4
To put it in short, Google has made various changes in bringing forth its latest version of the renowned analytics tool, Google Analytics. The tool relies on a poignantly distinctive data structure alongside using a whole new data collection logic. Google Analytics 4 allows you to collect data from both your websites as well as from different iOS and Android apps.
Unlike the way Google Analytics used to work earlier, where it relied much on sessions, the latest version focuses on users and events. Such an event-centered model of the brand-new Google Analytics runs every user interaction as a standalone event. The transition from a solely sessions-based model to an event-based one is seen as a significant turning event for Google Analytics. It is because it revolutionizes almost the entire working pattern for this analytics measurement tool.
Earlier, the session-based model worked by segregating and collecting user interactions within a particular time frame. The shift from the previous model to the new one offers significant benefits to marketers. They can now work on cross-platform analyses and have an enhanced capacity for pathing analysis.
Google Analytics 4 also comes with highly advanced privacy controls offering analytics measurements without cookies. It helps website owners swiftly collect data from users in an ethical manner. The platform no longer collects the respective IP addresses of users.
The tool further offers extensive device support for both website and mobile app users. The added enhancements, improved flexibility, and advanced features offered by Google Analytics 4 make it the perfect fit for the fast-paced digital world of today.
How can I set up Google Analytics 4?
There are mainly two major ways of setting up Google Analytics 4 on your device. You can either do it using Google Tag Manager or by updating the configuration settings using Setup Assistant. While new users can opt for the former method, existing users of the Google Analytics tool can rely on the latter.
How to set up GA 4 using Google Tag Manager
- New users need to start by visiting the Google Analytics homepage and clicking on the “Get started today” option. Thereafter, they need to simply follow the instructions mentioned here to log in to their respective Google account.
- Now, users need to fill in their details on the Account Setup page with an account name (which you will use as your profile). Usually, brands use their company name in this place.
- Hovering over to the “Account Details” section, users can find the “Account Data Sharing Settings” option. They can use it to configure their account data-sharing options as per their individual needs. One can simply enable or disable the data-sharing functions by ticking on or off the options.
- Thereafter, users can click on the “Next” button to continue with the entire setup process.
- Going over to the “Property Setup” section, users can create a property to measure their data. After setting up the property, users can click on the “Next” button to proceed further.
- Finally, ensure you provide more information about your business on different parameters. For this, you can select your industry category, size, and how you wish to use Google Analytics 4 for your business.
- Now, you can click on the “Create” button to finalize your Google Analytics account settings.
- Almost immediately, a Terms of Service Agreement window will pop open on your screen. On the window, you can select your country and region from the dropdown list and read the terms and conditions before selecting the “I Accept” button.
- Now, hover over the “Admin” tab on your dashboard and click on it. Thereafter, you can select the “Data Streams” option under the “Property” section. Then choose the “Web” option to enable the collection of data from your website.
- Thereafter, you need to enter your website URL and create a stream name for your site. Following this, you can click on the “Create stream” option.
Now you have set up your Google Analytics account; it is time for you to set up your Google Tag Manager account.
- Start by visiting the homepage of Google Tag Manager and login into your Google account. Now go to the “Account Setup” section and enter your company name and select your country of operation.
- In the “Container Setup” section, you need to curate your container name, select your targeted platform, and click the “Create” button.
- The Terms of Service Agreement will now pop up on your screen. You need to select the GDPR condition and click the “Yes” button.
- You will code snippets to paste on the head and body tags of your site.
- Now click the “Appearance” button on the sidebar and go to the “Theme File Editor” section.
- You can locate the header.php template here and copy the code snippets for your head and body tags. Finally, click on “Update File” to save your settings.
- Thereafter, users need to visit the dashboard and select the Now go to “Add a new tag” option.
- You can click anywhere on the “Tag Configuration” section to view the tag type options. Now, you need to select the “Google Analytics: GA4 Configuration” button.
- The configuration window will pop up on your screen.
- Now fill in your measurement ID. You can select the data stream you created to view your ID and copy it on the tag configuration page.
- Thereafter, you need to complete your triggering setup by selecting suitable triggers.
- Finally, choose a name for your tag and click on Save. You can check out your tag in the Preview mode!
- The Tag Assistant window will open as you click on Preview. Here you need to enter your website URL and click on Continue.
- When the page shows the message “Tag Assistant Connected,” you can click on “Finish” and then on “Continue” to close the Preview mode.
- You can use DebugView to check whether GA 4 is collecting all the data.
- Finally, go to the Google Tag Manager dashboard and hit the “Submit” button.
How to configure GA 4 with Setup Assistant
- To set up your Google Analytics 4 with the setup assistant, you need to start by login into your Google Analytics account.
- Now, click on the “Admin” button on the dashboard and ensure your desired account is selected.
- Thereafter, you need to choose the Universal Analytics property in the dropdown menu from where you wish to migrate.
- Now users need to select the “GA4 Setup Assistant” button present in the Property column.
- The setup wizard will open on the screen, and you need to click the “Get Started” button.
- Finally, click the blue “Create Property” button, and you are done!
Conclusion
Analytics tools are undeniably powerful and efficient weapons for businesses to make their way through the rising waves of competition in the markets. Now you know how the emergence of GA4 has revolutionized the entire processes in the age-old Google Analytics tool. So, why don’t you try it out for your business and reap its exquisite benefits?
Author Bio: Aniya more is one of the brightest content writers at Breakout escape room. She is a passionate writer who loves to read books and explore different escape rooms. With a great work ethic, she spends most of her time researching and reading. When she is not working, she likes to relax with a cup of coffee and enjoy watching her favorite tv show or walking her dog peanut.
