Let’s Switch Universal Analytics to Next Generation Google Analytics 4 (GA- 4)

What to Know About the Next Generation Google Analytics (GA-4)

On 16^th March 2022, Google declared that July 2023 would be the last month of the existence of Universal Analytics.

Google analytics experts recommend everyone must learn to use GA4 by that time. The blog is on the mission to help new business owners and entrepreneurs become successful in their marketing campaigns.

Google Analytics’ fourth version, which has been named GA4, has already been launched. Classic Analytics, Universal Analytics, and Urchin were the previous versions of those curious. Digital marketing companies in India are in the process of making the system easier for users.

Google has made its launch and objective pretty promising. Let us know about Next Generation Google Analytics 4 (GA- 4). You can connect with an SEO company like Digital Infoways to avail the best services.

What is G4A?

The first question that comes to mind is what G4A is and what the features are that it has introduced.

As per Google, G4A is the rebranded and extended name of the Google App

+ Web Analytics that was released the previous year in beta. The features of the most recent Google Analytics release are:

1. High predictive insights
2. Robust integration with Google Ads
3. Cross-device measurement abilities
4. More granular data controls

The Next Generation Google Analytics 4 or G4A seems different from its previous versions. The core differences between Classic GA and Universal Analytics are evident, and we can be dependent on Google’s Tag Assistance to decide which version of the website is running.

The matter won’t exist for the G4A users as there is a complete redesigning of the entire user interface. In this version, Google Analytics doesn’t use ‘Acquisition’, ‘Audience’, ‘Conversion’ and ‘Behaviour’. These features have been smoothly replaced by ‘Life Cycle’, ‘User’, ‘Events’, ‘Explore, and ‘Configure’.

The Basic Differences:

The section will discuss the core differences between G4 and the previous version of Google Analytics and Universal Analytics.

1. Event-driven Data

The event-driven data model is the core difference between the two versions. The data model replaces page views with a more flexible system.

When one begins to play with the platform, it creates a huge difference. Previously, analytics had kept the page views as the foundation, making the process complex to see how the functions interact.

Moreover, events needed to be manually configured to page views. There is no visibility into what users did on your site unless you set the system accordingly.

Events in GA4 come under 4 Categories:

1. Automatically Collected Events

The core communications with one website generate these events.

2. Recommended Events

The events need to be manually executed, but these use Google’s predefined names and parameters. Google has segmented these into several industries, such as; travel, education, education, e-commerce, etc.

3. Enhanced Measurements

These events are automatically collected when you allow enhanced measurement in your G4A property, such as file download, scroll tracking, external link clicks, video views, etc.

It shows that Google deviates from the limited space that featured the previous Google Analytics updates. There will be a rapid growth of industry-oriented events in the coming years.

4. Custom events

The events that you can create and manage. Parameters have taken their position. Outbound click parameters include link classes, domain, URL, etc.

2. Cookies and Data Analysis

Deviating from the events, GA4 is heading towards adapting to the future without cookies or identifiers. Google predicts data sparsity becoming the mainstream norm with third-party cookies fading out.

The version includes models that help fill the blanks where it lacks information beyond cookies. Google machine learning will guide the users with better knowledge and positively impact the multi-device and offline conversions.

The new analysis tool allows the users to find data, analyse individual users, make respective conversion funnels, etc. G4A is more interested in the custom reports of the old version than depending on a standard set of results.

For further queries, contact the professionals at Digital Infoways, one leading digital marketing companies in India.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Will the current Google Analytics stop functioning?

• Google will develop new features in GA4, but it will continue to support Universal Analytics. You can see the Classic Analytics setups changing from time to time and lacking features but keep functioning.

2. Does G4A work with Data Studio?

• Yes! It continues to interact with Data Studio like that of Universal Analytics. The latest GA4 report will offer more data visualization options in Data Studio. You can also use BigQuery as a Data Studio Connection to expand your reporting capabilities.

3. Can I move my data from Universal Analytics to GA4?

• GA4 only collects and stores new data. Data from Universal Analytics must be exported and combined with GA4 data in a separate data visualization tool, such as Data Studio.

4. Isn’t GA4 is default option while creating new GA versions?

• While developing a new setting, GA4 will be a default setting. Google analytics experts suggest sticking to Universal Analytics until the user becomes comfortable with GA4.

5. What to expect from GA4?

• Google Analytics 4 focuses solely on ad hoc data analysis and intends to be used in collaboration with other advanced tools such as Google Tag Manager, Google Data Studio, etc. GA4 uses an event-based measurement model that includes all actions happening on the site.

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