Setting Up GA4

Google Analytics 4 (GA4) is the latest version of Google Analytics, designed to provide a more robust and user-centric approach to tracking user behavior across websites and apps. This lesson will guide you through the process of setting up GA4 for your site.

1. Log in to your Google Analytics account.
2. Click on Admin in the lower-left corner.
3. In the Account column, select the account you want to add GA4 to.
4. In the Property column, click Create Property.
5. Enter your property name, select your reporting time zone, and currency, and click Next.
6. Fill in your business information and click Create.

To collect data, you need to install the GA4 tag on your website. You can do this via Google Tag Manager (GTM) or directly in your site's code.

Using Google Tag Manager

1. Log in to your GTM account.
2. Select your container.
3. Click on Tags > New.
4. Name your tag (e.g., "GA4 Configuration").
5. Choose Tag Type as Google Analytics: GA4 Configuration.
6. Enter your Measurement ID from GA4.
7. Set the trigger to All Pages.
8. Click Save and then Submit your changes.

Direct Installation

If you're not using GTM, add the following code snippet to the head section of your HTML:

<script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-XXXXXXXXXX"></script>
<script>
  window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || [];
  function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);}
  gtag('js', new Date());
  gtag('config', 'G-XXXXXXXXXX');
</script>
                

GA4 uses an event-based model for data collection. By default, GA4 tracks certain events automatically, but you can also configure custom events.

Creating Custom Events

1. In your GA4 property, click on Configure > Events.
2. Click on Create Event.
3. Define your custom event parameters.
4. Save the event configuration.

• Regularly review your data and reports.
• Utilize the GA4 DebugView for testing events.
• Ensure proper data governance and privacy compliance.
• Take advantage of analysis tools to gain deeper insights.