GA4 Audit step by step

Conducting an audit in Google Analytics 4 (GA4) involves reviewing and assessing the data, configurations, and settings to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with your tracking and reporting objectives. Here's a step-by-step guide for auditing GA4:

Step 1: Access GA4 Property

1. Log in to your Google Analytics account.
2. Select the GA4 property you want to audit.

Step 2: Review Property Configuration

1. Property Settings:Check the property settings for accuracy, including the default URL and time zone.
2. Data Streams:Review and ensure that all relevant data streams (websites, apps) are properly set up.

Step 3: Verify Data Collection

1. Tag Installation:Confirm that the GA4 tracking code is correctly implemented on all pages or in your app.
2. Real-Time Reports:Use real-time reports to verify data collection for active users.

Step 4: Check Event Tracking

1. Events:Review the configured events and their parameters.Check for missing or incorrect event tracking.
2. Conversions:Confirm that goal and conversion tracking are set up correctly.

Step 5: Analyze User Properties

1. User ID:If using User ID, ensure it is implemented correctly and provides meaningful user tracking.
2. Audiences:Review and update audiences to reflect your targeting requirements.

Step 6: Examine User Engagement

1. Engagement Reports:Analyze user engagement metrics like average engagement time, pages/screens per session.
2. User Explorer:Use the User Explorer report to analyze individual user journeys.

Step 7: Validate E-commerce Tracking

1. E-commerce Setup:If applicable, check and validate e-commerce tracking.

Step 8: Assess Data Integrity

1. Data Quality:Use the Data Quality report to identify and address data integrity issues.

Step 9: Configure Data Retention

1. Data Retention Settings:Review and set data retention policies based on your needs and compliance requirements.

Step 10: Privacy and Compliance

1. Consent Settings:Confirm that consent settings align with privacy regulations if applicable.
2. User Deletion Requests:Ensure that your setup complies with data deletion requests.

Step 11: Custom Reports and Dashboards

1. Customization:Review and update any custom reports or dashboards based on your current reporting needs.

Step 12: Documentation

1. Documentation:Keep comprehensive documentation of your GA4 configuration, including tracking implementations, customizations, and settings.

Step 13: Stay Informed

1. Updates and Changes:Regularly check for updates and changes in the GA4 interface and adapt your configuration accordingly.

Step 14: Training and Knowledge Sharing

1. Team Training:Ensure your team is updated on GA4 features and best practices.

By following these steps, you can conduct a thorough audit of your GA4 property, ensuring accurate data collection, compliance, and optimal use of the analytics platform.