What You Need To Know About Google Analytics 4

You must be aware of the fact that google analytics is transforming as a platform if you have been using this platform for quite a while now. The users will have to switch towards google analytics 4 in 2023 as Universal analytics will no longer process data.

In order to help you make this transition smoothly, we have brought a guide with all the information. We are going to dive deeper into google analytics 4 and learn about its new features.

Then, we will also answer some questions in relation to google analytics 4 so that it’s easier for you to get started.

Google Analytics 4: What is it actually?

As per your knowledge, google analytics is a tool that provides data about the traffic and analyses data of your site. Precisely, google analytics is something that is also regarded as a new property providing different reports.

It is assumed that Universal Analytics( commonly known as google analytics 3) will stop processing data on July 1, 2022. People like you will have to track your site’s performance with the help o google analytics 4. You are probably going to see a banner advising you to change to google analytics 4 on your google analytics dashboard.

5 new benefits of Google Analytics 4

Google Analytics 4 helps you track your performance and all your goals track more effectively. It also leads to an increase in the number of sales, app installations, and even lead generation. Let’s have a look at the new features of google analytics 4.

1. A brand new data model

A new way of collecting data is introduced by google analytics. As a session-based data model, Universal analytics gathers data and presents it to you during these sessions.

The information is primarily about event hits and page hits. As a user-based model, google analytics 4 collects data in the form of events where each event has a unique name through which it can be identified.

There are also parameters that provide additional help in describing the event. These events primarily include page views, social interactions, transactions, and other similar types of data. You will be able to get extremely detailed metrics and your privacy will be protected at the same time.

2. Insights and Predictions that are AI-powered

Google Analytics 4 help business owners with their planning of marketing campaigns more strategically.

New AI-powered insights are introduced which highlight trends and growth of interest in a particular product.

Machine learning technology can also be used to predict various outcomes like churn rates, potential conversions, and sales. With these insights, marketers can promote the right products and target relevant audiences.

3. It gives a complete view of the customer life cycle

When you are using google analytics 4, you will get reports on the customer journeys. The powerful feature of google analytics is that it provides life-cycled framed reporting.

Like you can easily see which channels are driving more traffic and customers to your website and which channels are actually converting them into leads.

You will get accurate data on how users engage with your websites across varied platforms and different channels.

4. You have more control over user data

You must be knowing about google phasing out third-party cookies. The digital world is moving towards a phase where there will be no cookies. Hence, analytics tools emphasize on data of the first party.

Google Analytics 4 comprises granular data controls. These are designed to help advertisers coordinate with the General Data Protection and many other data protection regulations like the California Consumer Privacy Act.

A new consent mode helps owners of different websites obtain consent for both analytics and ads. Apart from that, Google Analytics 4 makes it easier to handle user data removal requests.

4. Spam Prevention

You must be familiar with spam referrals if you have been using google analytics for a while now. This happens when you have either received a large amount of traffic or suddenly or you have been receiving a large number of visits from a fraudulent source.

The marketing campaign can be disrupted by this spammy traffic. Thus, collecting accurate data will become quite a challenge. Now, google analytics 4 has found a solution to this problem as well.

Previously, spammers could send fake data easily via the Measurement Protocol to Google Analytics accounts. Now, can be sent to a GA4 property only through hits with a secret key. This key can be accessed from your Google Analytics 4 data stream settings, and it’s not made available to the public.

Is it necessary to Upgrade to Google Analytics 4?

Apparently, yes you must. On July 1, 2023, Universal Analytics will stop processing data. Hence, you will need to upgrade to Google Analytics 4 if you want to continue tracking your performance. Technically you don’t have to, but you will have no data available from 1st July 2023.

Doing this as soon as you can is highly recommended. You’ll have plenty of time to get used to the interface as well as familiarize yourself with its efficient features in this way.

How is google analytics 4 different from google analytics 3?

As from the information gathered, Google Analytics 4 comprises an abundance of new and improved features, like AI-powered reporting. The key difference between Google Analytics 3 (Universal Analytics) and Google Analytics 4 is event tracking.

Like, in Google Analytics 3, events refer mainly to clicks. In Google Analytics 4, an event can be anything ranging from a page view to social interaction, or varied types of user behaviour.

Conclusion

This was all about google analytics. You can easily see for yourself the benefits google analytics 4 is going to bring with it. It’s high time you get one to see faster results as soon as you can.

Got any questions about Google Analytics 4? Want to hire Bubblegum Marketing to set everything up for you? Get in touch and let us know how we can help you?