New Changes in Google Analytics

Google Analytics will officially transition to GA4 on July 1, 2023. This announcement gives a huge shift for marketers, as analytics are the foundation of how we measure and analyze our progress. You might think you have time, but it is important to begin the process now as it is not as simple as just turning on a switch. Here is what you need to know.

Dissimilarities between GA4 and the existing Universal Analytics platform-

? GA4 incorporates privacy-first tracking, AI predictive data, and machine learning to understand user behavior through an event-based operating model.

? GA4 looks to deliver a cross-channel perspective of the customer lifecycle and concentrates on active users vs. the total number of users in the existing Universal

Analytics platform.

? Merging web and app data in the same property, GA4 uses machine learning to enhance and simplify insight discovery, whereas Universal Analytics is restricted in automation.

? There will be fewer standard reports in the new GA4 model, which will make it easier to create custom, ad-hoc reports.

? All activities by customers are recorded as conversions (events) in GA4, not just transactions and goals.

? GA4 does not depend on cookies and rather leverages machine learning to fill data gaps as Google continues to increase its data privacy regulations.

? Google simplified its reporting interface to allow marketers to spot key trends and irregularities in data.

? GA4’s event-based analytics model and cross-device reporting create a single-user journey from the data, which enables optimized websites and online experiences.

? Instead of focusing exclusively on page views, GA4 follows all customer events as crucial data streams in the customer journey.

? Machine learning lets GA4 fill in gaps in consumer behavior to anticipate future transactions and revenue, which can help advertisers understand which consumers to target.

GA4 is the key to how marketers can leverage data in a unique way as we enter a privacy-the-focused online world. Without cookies and behavioral & conversion modeling, marketers can use web and app data to focus more closely on the user journey from the initial visit to conversion.

The new update encourages innovative tracking without intruding on the privacy of consumers. Helping you to run your campaign on the right path by providing marketers with the peace of mind to focus on the data that matters is aided by helpful insights and predictions.

You must complete a few handoff tasks prior to your transition. Many marketers are aware that Google keeps data for 26 months. Therefore, it is imperative that you save your historical data.?

What you need to do to start the transition-

? Login to your Google Analytics Account.

? Click Admin, the gear icon on the bottom left navigation.

? Confirm that your desired account is selected.

? Confirm the desired property is selected.

? Click GA4 Setup Assistant, the first option in the Property column.

The GA4 update may be threatening to some, but the key is to start preparing and educating yourself as soon as possible. Your future campaigns will be thriving if you start the set-up now so you can see what is and isn’t in GA4. As we move into a space where user privacy is a primary concern, GA4 provides the analytical solution we need, but only if you get the setup process right.