?? Measurement Edition (W44)

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Measurement

[Issue No. 134 - Oct 28th to Nov 3rd]

?? Trending

Google Search Console Data Bug Resolved

On October 28, Google Search Console’s performance report showed almost no data for the day, causing confusion among users. Google later confirmed it was a bug, not an intentional feature, and quickly resolved the issue by removing real-time data for the current day to prevent further alarm. The fix restored regular data visibility, and Google assured users they were addressing the glitch. [Aleyda Solís / SEJ]

?? 1st Contributor: Aleyda Solís

Google Analytics

Google Analytics Officially Introduces Benchmarking

Google Analytics now offers benchmarking metrics, enabling businesses to compare their performance against industry peers using median, 25th, and 75th percentiles for various metrics. Data from similar businesses is aggregated and anonymized, with strict privacy controls, allowing companies to safely assess strengths and weaknesses and refine their strategies based on industry insights. [Google Analytics]

You can enable benchmarking by going to Admin > Account Settings and selecting "Enable Modeling contributions & business insights." To view metrics, go to Home > Overview, select a metric, and expand the benchmarking category for insights.

Native Event Name Filtering Added to Standard Reports

Google Analytics 4 has added the option to filter standard reports by Event Name, removing the need for previous workarounds. This feature, currently visible on the GA4 demo property, enhances report customization and is anticipated to roll out more broadly soon. [LinkedIn]

?? 1st Contributor: Julius Fedorovicius

Looker Studio

Looker Studio Enhances Date Picker Interface

Looker Studio introduced a refined date picker design, enhancing usability for setting custom date ranges. The new interface makes it easier for users to navigate through start and end dates, providing a more intuitive experience when adjusting time frames for data visualization and reporting. [LinkedIn]

?? 1st Contributor: Josh Silverbauer

BigQuery

BigQuery Launches AI-Powered Data Prep Tools

Google Cloud’s BigQuery now offers AI-powered data preparation tools, available in preview, to help users clean and transform data more efficiently. Using Gemini’s AI capabilities, BigQuery can automatically suggest ways to fix errors, standardize formats, and enrich data, saving valuable time for teams who often spend hours on these tasks. [BigQuery]

?? Tips of the Week

Stick to One Platform for Google Tag Settings to Avoid Costly Mistakes

If you’re managing Google Tag settings, keeping everything within a single platform - GA4, Google Tag Manager, or Google Ads—is essential to prevent conflicts that can affect data accuracy. For instance, Google might prompt you to set up enhanced conversions through Google Ads, but if you’ve been handling tags in GA4, stay with GA4 for all configurations.

Switching between platforms for tag settings can create overlapping rules and data issues, so it’s best to keep things simple and consistent. Remember, Google’s documentation can sometimes be unclear, so maintaining one primary platform helps avoid unnecessary headaches and keeps your tracking reliable. [LinkedIn]

?? 1st Contributor: Himanshu Sharma

Automating UTM Tagging for Google Ads in GA4

If you’re facing challenges with how Google Ads traffic appears in Google Analytics 4, often showing as “(organic)” or “(not set)” - this guide offers a solution.

By automating UTM tagging, you can ensure accurate tracking and bypass issues caused by Google Ads' default auto-tagging limitations. Using a combination of URL suffixes and Google Ads scripts, this method auto-generates UTMs based on campaign parameters, improving attribution and performance tracking. For added convenience, it even integrates with Zapier to send email notifications whenever updates are made. This approach streamlines tracking and helps maintain consistent campaign data in GA4. [Read More]

?? 1st Contributor: Miguel ángel Quesada Roldán

Creating an AI Traffic Channel Group in GA4 for Better Analysis"

With AI chatbots driving more website traffic, tracking this segment separately in Google Analytics 4 (GA4) is helpful. Setting up an AI Traffic Channel group allows you to analyze AI-driven visits as a distinct category, enhancing reporting accuracy and insights.

Steps to Set Up an AI Traffic Channel Group in GA4:

1. Go to GA4 Admin > Data Display > Channel Groups.
2. Copy the default channel group to create a new one.
3. Rename it to "AI Traffic" and add a new channel.
4. Use this regex to capture AI sources: ^.*ai|.*\.openai.*|.*copilot.*|.*chatgpt.*|.*gemini.*$.
5. Place the AI channel above "Referral" to prioritize it.
6. Save the group, and go to Reports > Acquisition > Traffic Acquisition to view your AI traffic.

This channel group applies to all historical data, enabling immediate analysis of past AI-referred traffic for more detailed insights into this emerging source. [LinkedIn]

?? 1st Contributor: Himanshu Sharma

?? That's it for this week!

Now, you are ready to kick-start your week with all the knowledge unpacked.

Hopefully, with a bit of comfort and some new ideas in mind.

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