Google Analytics has been an essential tool for any digital marketing professional for over a decade. But, like everything in digital life, it evolves and adapts to the new times. In this guide, we are going to explore Google Analytics 4, the latest version of this service . We will discover how it can help us better understand user behavior on our websites and applications. What is Google Analytics 4 and why is it important? Google Analytics 4 (GA4) is the latest version of Google’s web analytics platform. This new version brings significant changes from its predecessors. For example, GA4 now uses an event-based model instead of the previous session-based model . This means you can now track specific user actions, such as button clicks or file downloads, in a more intuitive way.
Why is it important? In the age of digital privacy, GA4 has been social media marketing service designed to be more respectful of user privacy , while providing more accurate data. Plus, with GA4, you can track both your website and app on the same property, something that wasn’t possible with previous versions. Getting started with Google Analytics 4 1. Account Setup The first step to getting started with GA4 is to set up your account. If you already have a Google Analytics account, you can create a new GA4 property from your existing account. However, if you're new to Google Analytics, you'll need to create an account from scratch. Create a new GA4 property from an existing account : Go to your Google Analytics account and click on “Admin.” In the “Property” column, select “Create property.”
On the next screen, select “Create a Google Analytics 4 property.” Create a GA4 account and property from scratch : Go to the Google Analytics page and click “Get started for free.” Then, follow the instructions to create your account and set up your first GA4 property. 2. Installing the tracking code After setting up your GA4 property, you will need to install the tracking code on your website or app. This is a unique code that allows Google Analytics to track and collect data about how users interact with your website or app. To get your GA4 tracking code, go to “Admin” and then “Data Settings.” Click “Tracking Code” and copy the code shown. Then, paste this code into all pages of your website or app. Navigating the Google Analytics 4 interface Google Analytics 4 offers a completely revamped user interface that can be a little overwhelming at first.
But with some practice, you'll find it intuitive and packed with useful data. On the left side of the screen, you will find the main menu. Here you can access standard reports such as “Real-time analytics”, “Users”, “Events” and “Conversions”. Real-time analytics : Shows you what's happening on your website or app right now. Users : Gives you an overview of your users, including how many you have, where they are from, what devices they use, and more. Events – Here you can see the events you have set up to track, such as button clicks, file downloads, etc. Conversions : This report shows you the conversions you've defined, such as completed purchases, form submissions, etc. Getting the most out of Google Analytics 4 To get the most out of Google Analytics 4, you need to learn how to use its powerful features.