AnalyticsGoogle Analytics 4

Google Analytics 4 is Here: What You Need to Know

By October 15, 2020 April 21st, 2022 No Comments

ICYMI, Google launched App + Web out of beta and renamed it Google Analytics 4 (GA4). This is the biggest analytics update we will have during 2020 and possibly the biggest update to Google Analytics in over a decade! 

Early looks at the reporting available in the Google Analytics 4 interface show the absence of a number of familiar features and a general lack of out of box reporting compared to the familiar Google Analytics interface. There are fundamental changes in how data is gathered, stored, and queried which is why we are seeing such drastic changes in how the data is presented within the new interface

However, we took a look at some of the new features available that are considered powerful improvements over existing reporting functionality.

New Features of Google Analytics 4 

Simple Roll-Up Reporting

Google Analytics 4 looks at individual properties as streams of data, coming from a variety of sources such as apps, websites, and web apps. These resemble views as they exist today but with the additional ability to slice and dice data by specific groups of streams. Currently, Google Analytics 4 allows for 50 streams to be added to a single property. Those streams can be segmented using the audience feature, which is an improved version of the existing segmentation tool.

BigQuery Exports/Analysis

One of the most exciting features of Google Analytics 4 is the ability to export session data to BigQuery. Previously this was a feature reserved for Analytics 360 accounts but they are making this functionality available for all users of the protocol. This will allow for faster reporting (at a small cost) in tools like Data Studio and the ability to build custom datasets and blend data using SQL queries. Google Analytics datasets can even be combined with external datasets such as CRMs to allow organizations to understand even more about the customers that are interacting with their digital properties.

Analysis Hub

At first glance, all the familiar reports that came standard with Google Analytics may seem like they are missing. In their place is arguably a much more dynamic and useful tool for analysis. All the familiar naming conventions have changed which will mean that it will take a little time to understand the limits of the Analysis Hub, on the surface, it will allow for the creation of perfectly customized reporting for an organization’s needs. Reports can be shared with all users with access to a given property or duplicated into new properties and accounts allowing for standardization of reporting across an organization’s properties.

Anomaly Detection

The anomaly detection feature is an impressive report that allows you to identify true outliers for almost any metric, dimension, or segment. The model is automatically trained on the data preceding the reporting period and only grows more accurate with the more data you collect. Sensitivity levels can be adjusted to allow for the identification of anomalies at different confidence intervals.

Google Analytics 4 (GA4) FAQs

Is the current version of Google Analytics getting replaced?

Yes, but not immediately. GA4 is meant to be a shift towards a new way of measuring user data that’s better suited to a mobile dominated web. Organizations will need time to rethink their analytics implementations and adapt to the new tracking mechanisms which is why it is unlikely that Google will force all existing Google Analytics customers to make the update on short notice. That being said, Google will want to push as many of its existing users to make the update as soon as possible.

Do I need to choose between my existing Google Analytics implementation and Google Analytics 4?

No, GA4 can be easily implemented alongside existing tracking using Google Tag Manager. The GA4 property is created separately from existing tracking so data can be collected and analyzed separately. This is especially useful as organizations work to transition existing tags and events into the new framework while continuing to analyze data coming from the existing Google Analytics tracking.

Should I just wait until Google forces me to switch?

No, GA4 includes some additional functionality and potential applications, even in beta, that can prove useful to organizations of any size. Data can be gathered alongside existing tracking which gives your team time to learn how to use the features of GA4 while being able to sanity check against the familiar metrics/reports. 

What’s Next for Google Analytics 4?

We are only beginning to understand the new features that Google has released and plans to release with Google Analytics 4. Even the functionality that exists today shows the potential for powerful new analyses that can have the potential to shift how organizations approach digital analytics. For whatever limitations will inevitably exist in the future web interface, there will be the potential for advanced users to create their own powerful analyses using tools like BigQuery to create custom datasets and feed data into other tools.

Have any questions about Google Analytics 4 or how to implement it within your organization? Get in touch

 

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