If you're a webmaster or digital marketer, you're probably aware that Google Analytics is constantly evolving. As of October 2020, Universal Analytics (UA) was the most recent version of GA. However, Google has announced that a new version, Google Analytics 4 (GA4), was released in early 2021.
So, what does this mean for you? Well, if you're still using UA, you'll need to migrate to GA4 at some point in order to keep using Google Analytics. Especially because Google announced that they are completely sunsetting Universal Analytics in July of 2023. In this guide, we'll show you how to do just that.
But first, let's take a look at some of the key differences between UA and GA4.
There are several key differences between UA and GA4. The most notable ones are:
Universal Analytics relies on cookies to collect data, while GA4 uses a new technique called "first-party storage". This means that GA4 can still collect data even if the user has disabled cookies.
Another key difference is the tracking ID structure. In UA, the tracking ID is a string of numbers (e.g., UA-XXXXXX-Y). However, in GA4, the tracking ID is a string of numbers followed by "-ga" (e.g., XXXX-XXXX-XX-ga).
The data model in GA4 is different from UA. In GA4, there are three types of data: user data, event data, and parameter data. User data includes information such as the user's age, gender, and location. Event data includes information about the actions that users take on your website or app (e.g., button clicks, page views, etc.). Parameter data includes information that you can use to segment your users (e.g., interests, behavior, etc.).
Finally, the reporting interface in GA4 is different from UA. The new interface is designed to be more user-friendly and easier to navigate. It also includes new features such as custom reports and dashboards.
If you're used to the UA interface, then you'll need to take some time to learn the new interface. But once you do, you'll find that it's much easier to use.
Installing GA4 is similar to installing UA. However, there are a few differences that you should be aware of.
First, unlike UA, you don't need to create a new account for GA4. You can simply use your existing UA account and upgrade it to GA4.
Second, the installation process is slightly different. In UA, you install the tracking code on your website manually. With GA4, you can use a tag manager (such as Google Tag Manager) to install the tracking code automatically.
Third, unlike UA, GA4 uses "data streams" to collect data. A data stream is a collection of data that's specific to a certain type of activity (such as web browsing or app usage).
Fourth, GA4 uses "events" to track user interactions. Events are like "goals" in UA. They allow you to track specific user interactions (such as clicks, form submissions, etc.) and see how they contribute to your overall business goals.
Finally, GA4 offers more data-collection options than UA. For example, GA4 can collect data from offline sources (such as point-of-sale systems) and from connected devices (such as smartwatches).
To install Google Analytics 4, head to your existing admin settings, click Create Property, and follow the set-up steps.
So there you have it! A quick guide to migrating from Universal Analytics to Google Analytics 4. Be sure to follow these steps so that you can make the transition smoothly and without any issues. Good luck!
