Google Analytics 4: what is it and why configure it now?
Google Analytics (known as Universal Analytics (UA)) ceased to exist on 1 July, 2023, fully handing over the baton to its successor: Google Analytics 4 (GA4). We explain some important differences between the two.
Google Analytics 4
As the successor to Universal Analytics, Google Analytics 4 was released in 2019 and will function independently starting in July 2023. Have you yet to set up this new system? We'll go through some of the benefits of the new version.
A new data model
The most significant change in the new edition of Analytics is the completely different method it uses to measure your website and/or app. Google Analytics 4's new data model simplifies and purifies measurement.
The 'old' model of Universal Analytics
The data model of Universal Analytics is built on 'hits,' which are captured when GA displays an action. Page hits, e-commerce hits, and event hits are some examples. These hits are packaged into a session when they occur within a specified time frame. The hits, grouped into sessions, provide all of the data with which further analysis can be done.
The event-driven data model of GA4
However, Google Analytics 4 is transitioning to an event-driven data model, emphasising important interactions. The website is now measured based on events under this new paradigm. In GA4, all interactions between the visitor and the website are recorded as events.
Add events
Google Analytics 4 allows you to add events. These interactions can be highly particular, providing a good picture of how a visitor moves across your website or app. You can determine for yourself what you want to learn more about by adding events.
Parameters
Parameters then pass further event information to Analytics. Consider a visitor who scrolls down a page: the event is 'scroll', and the parameter is 'percent_scrolled,' which specifies how far the visitor has scrolled down the page. Per event, a number of parameters are automatically registered, but you can also add your own.
Even more benefits
Google Analytics 4 has a number of other benefits in addition to the fully new data model:
- The analytics hub is available for free in GA4. This hub provides a variety of reports that you can customise with dimensions, segments, and metrics, including the well-known funnel, segment analysis, and path reports.
- GA4's artificial intelligence creates predictions about your visitors' behaviour, making it easy to develop target groups based on their interactions.
- Organisations that have both a website and an app can create a data stream that connects both data sources. As a result, GA4 provides a more comprehensive perspective of the entire customer journey.
- Engagement is now measured in terms of 'engaged sessions', which means that the bounce rate is no longer relevant and has been removed.
The End of Universal Analytics
The Universal Analytics properties will stop processing new hits on July 1, 2023, so you will no longer receive data on your website using this version. After that, you'll have at least six months of access to your previously processed data in Universal Analytics. It is recommended that you export any reports that include important information by then, to keep them at your disposal.
Furthermore, and even more important, you should begin rebuilding your data in Google Analytics 4 as soon as possible. Google Analytics 4 has an entirely new data model than its predecessor. That's why you can't move your data from Universal Analytics to GA4 because it's a new property.
Need help?
Could you use some help with the configuration and would you like to make sure that everything is set up correctly in GA4 and Google Tag Manager? As a Google Analytics certified professional, our partner MondoMarketing is glad to assist you in achieving optimum results for your company. Please contact them to explore your options.