Cross-Domain Tracking with GA4

Introduction

Cross-Domain Tracking in Google Analytics 4 (GA4) enables you to track user interactions across multiple domains. This is crucial for businesses that have different domains for different aspects of their operations, such as a main website and a separate e-commerce site.

Key Concepts

• Cross-Domain Tracking: The ability to track users as they navigate between different domains.
• GA4 Measurement ID: The identifier for your GA4 property that you will use in your tracking code.
• Cookie Settings: Proper management of cookies across domains is essential for accurate user tracking.

Setup Process

1. Log in to your Google Analytics account.
2. Select the GA4 property you want to configure.
3. Go to Admin > Data Streams > select your web data stream.
4. Scroll down to More Tagging Settings and select Configure your domains.
5. Add your domains in the Cross-Domain Tracking section.
6. Ensure that both domains share the same Measurement ID.

Code Example

Here’s a sample code snippet that demonstrates how to implement cross-domain tracking using GA4:

gtag('config', 'GA_MEASUREMENT_ID', {
    'linker': {
        'domains': ['example1.com', 'example2.com']
    }
});
                    

Best Practices

• Test your setup using the Real-Time reports in GA4 to ensure data is flowing correctly.
• Keep your domains updated in the GA4 settings whenever you add or remove domains.
• Use the same Google Tag Manager container across all domains to maintain consistency.

FAQ