Google Analytics 4 – More Than SEO [Podcast]

In the past few episodes, we’ve discussed the SEO and organic tracking of the switch from Universal Analytics to Google Analytics 4, but how GA 4 helps with paid campaigns, affiliate campaigns, Google Ads, campaign tracking with IDs, etc. ?

Krista Seiden of KS Digital and former VP at Quantcast joined me on the SEJ Show to discuss the pros and cons of GA 4 for paid campaigns and other opportunities digital marketers will face with the sunset of Google Analytics UA.

One of the misconceptions is that this product just isn’t there yet, and I would push back a little bit and say that it’s constantly evolving, and a lot of new things have come out. So take the time to know how to use the tool and understand what is actually there. –Krista Seiden, 4:55

Don’t expect your data to be exactly the same between UA and GA4. So even things like sessions and user accounts will be different because GA4 counts these things in different ways than Universal Analytics. –Krista Seiden, 44:41

I don’t think this deadline will change. I would suggest taking this one seriously. If you don’t get moving now, you probably won’t be able to pull your post-year data within GA4. The sooner you implement it, the more historical data you will have in GA4 to be able to compare. –Krista Seiden, 10:09 p.m

[00:00] – About Krista & her internal background at Google Analytics.

[03:23] – Common misconceptions about GA4.

[05:20] – Is there more customization with GA4?

[07:10] – Hesitations with the transfer.

[08:42] – New feature releases with GA4.

[12:57] – Why build reports with GA4 if you can use Google Data Studio?

[16:08] – How does GA4 relate to GDPR?

[19:33] – Differences in transition with GA360 and GA4360.

[24:30] – What to expect with GA4.

[26:18] – Can you define direct traffic better with GA4?

[27:22] – Changes that affect PPC.

[30:53] – Differences between goals and conversions.

What’s the difference between GA and GA4?

[34:15] – Reason why the data retention period is only two months by default in GA4.

[35:18] – Recommendations for getting started with GA4.

What does GA4 stand for?

[41:04] – Does Krista recommend fallback?

What is GA4 good for?

Measures mentioned: https://ksdigital.co/academy/https://join.measure.chat

What is analytics GA4?

It’s great that we now have this ability to really customize GA4’s UI. So, for example, we can choose what reports to show or not for people in our organizations. –Krista Seiden, 5:44

What does GA4 mean?

GA4 is much more privacy-friendly than Universal Analytics. –Krista Seiden, 4:41 p.m

What is GA4 vs GA?

I’m sure many people will wait until the last minute. So don’t wait until the last minute. Like we said, if anything, just go ahead and drop that tag on your site now. –Loren Baker, 49:18

Is GA4 replacing Google Analytics?

For more content like this, subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/searchenginejournal

Why is Google Analytics changing to GA4?

Krista Seiden is a savvy, experienced analytics leader who has led teams at Adobe and Google. In addition, she has led optimization initiatives for companies such as The Apollo Group and Quantcast. As an expert in analytical and optimization methodology, she has become one of the most sought after consultants in the industry.

Is GA4 replacing Universal analytics?

Her expertise led her to start KS Digital, an analytics consultancy in 2019 that helps businesses optimize their digital marketing and analytics investments.

What is the difference between Google Analytics and GA4?

In addition to being dedicated and hardworking, she also contributes occasional guest posts to leading industry publications such as the Google Analytics Blog. When she is not working, she likes to travel as much as possible!

What is changing with GA4?

Connect with Krista on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristaseiden/

Is Google Analytics 4 better?

Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/kristaseiden

Should I switch to Google Analytics 4?

Visit her website: https://www.kristaseiden.com/

Should I use Google Analytics 4 or Universal Analytics?

Connect with Loren Baker, Founder of Search Engine Journal:

Is it worth upgrading to Google Analytics 4?

Follow him on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/lorenbaker

Why is it called Google Analytics 4?

Connect with him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorenbaker

You probably know that both GA3 and GA4 use different data models. GA3 data model is based on sessions and page views. In contrast, the GA4 data model is based on events and parameters.

Why is Google Analytics 4 better?

Can I have both Universal Analytics and GA4? If your Universal Analytics property is implemented with gtag. js, you can duplicate a tag for your Google Analytics 4 property in one of the following ways: Use the GA4 Setup Assistant and select the option “Enable data collection with your existing tags” (This option uses a feature called connected site tags)

Why is GA4 better than Universal Analytics?

The next generation of Google Analytics. GA4 is a new property designed for the future of measurement: Collects both website and application data to better understand the customer journey.

Why should you use Google Analytics 4?

Google Analytics 4 gives you and your users more intuitive and precise control over what personal data is collected, which will help you comply with current and future privacy regulations. For example, with GA4 you can now exclude specific events and user properties from ad personalization.

Why should I upgrade to Google Analytics 4?

Google Analytics 4 is an analytics service that allows you to measure traffic and engagement across your websites and apps. This documentation provides implementation instructions and reference materials directed at a developer audience.

What’s the difference between Google Analytics and Google Analytics 4?

GA4 Stands for Google Analytics 4. GA4, or Google Analytics 4, is Google’s 4th iteration of its analytics platform. As of October 14, 2020, GA4 is the default analytics setup with Google, replacing the previous default of UA or Universal Analytics.

What does GA4 mean?

You probably know that both GA3 and GA4 use different data models. GA3 data model is based on sessions and page views. In contrast, the GA4 data model is based on events and parameters. Thus both GA3 and GA4 can collect, process and report the same data in a different way.

What is GA4 good for?

Google Analytics 4 is our next-generation measurement solution, and it replaces Universal Analytics. On July 1, 2023, standard Universal Analytics properties will stop processing new hits. If you still rely on Universal Analytics, we recommend that you prepare to use Google Analytics 4 going forward.

What does GA4 stand for?

Ultimately GA4 is better than UA & is designed for the future we all face as marketers: no third party cookies, more regulation, increased privacy etc. All of which is great for us as consumers, and presents some challenges as marketers who like to measure. everything & ‘know’ what happened.

Is Google Analytics and Google Analytics 4 same?

The changes with Google Analytics 4 Google analytics alternatives exist, but Google simplifies things for you to stay. Universal Analytics will be replaced by Google Analytics 4. After the official retirement date, you will have access to your previously processed data through UA for at least six months.

Do I need Google Analytics 4?

Universal Analytics highlights Total Users (shown as Users) in most reports, while GA4 focuses on Active Users (also shown as Users). So, while the term Users looks the same, the calculation for this metric is different between UA and GA4 because UA uses Total Users and GA4 uses Active Users.

Why should you use Google Analytics 4?

What’s Changed (versus Universal Analytics) By shifting to event-based tracking, the GA4 update gives businesses an opportunity to re-examine the customer journey. UA tracked actions (or sessions) as events; GA4 treats all user interactions as separate events.

Google Analytics 4 is on its way to being more powerful than Universal Analytics and providing more important data about why users are on your website and/or app. It allows you to combine the data from multiple data streams into one property and more accurately assign actions to users across devices.

What are the benefits of Google Analytics 4?

Google Analytics 4 is just starting, so it only collects a small part of data. It also has different reports than Universal Analytics. So, no, you shouldn’t completely switch from Universal Analytics. However, I recommend turning on GA4 now so it can start collecting data.

Universal Analytics tracks screen views in separate mobile-specific properties, while GA4 combines both website and app data in the same property. If you’re tracking both web and app data in your GA4 property, be sure to consider the additional app traffic when comparing pageview metrics between the two.
Why You Should Upgrade to GA4. Google Analytics 4 is the next generation of web analytics, and it’s very smart. Google is really working hard to bring automated insights, updated event tracking and more to all its users. Also, there will be no further improvements made to Universal Analytics.
Google Analytics 4 (GA4) is the latest version of Google Analytics. Because it is the fourth version, it is called GA4. The other three versions follow: The first version of Google Analytics (GA1) is the Classic Google Analytics that uses the ga.
Why did Google create GA4? GA4 is a new property designed for the future of measurement: Collects both website and application data to better understand the customer journey. Uses events instead of session data. Includes privacy controls such as cookie-free measurement, and behavioral and conversion modeling.
Google Analytics 4 is on its way to being more powerful than Universal Analytics and providing more important data about why users are on your website and/or app. It allows you to combine the data from multiple data streams into one property and more accurately assign actions to users across devices.
Universal Analytics tracks screen views in separate mobile-specific properties, while GA4 combines both website and app data in the same property. If you’re tracking both web and app data in your GA4 property, be sure to consider the additional app traffic when comparing pageview metrics between the two.
Google Analytics 4 is an analytics service that allows you to measure traffic and engagement across your websites and apps. This documentation provides implementation instructions and reference materials directed at a developer audience.

What is the difference between Google Analytics and Google Analytics 4?

Why You Should Upgrade to GA4. Google Analytics 4 is the next generation of web analytics, and it’s very smart. Google is really working hard to bring automated insights, updated event tracking and more to all its users. Also, there will be no further improvements made to Universal Analytics.

Should I be using Google Analytics 4?

Analytics creates a single user journey from all the data associated with the same user ID. Unlike Universal Analytics, Google Analytics 4 property includes User ID natively across all reports, analytics and insights and does not require a separate User ID report view.

Why should I upgrade to Google Analytics 4?

What’s the difference between Google Analytics and Google Analytics 4?

Is it worth upgrading to Google Analytics 4?

The next generation of Google Analytics. GA4 is a new property designed for the future of measurement: Collects both website and application data to better understand the customer journey.

Is Google Analytics 4 better?

Is Google Analytics and Google Analytics 4 same?

No, you don’t have to if you don’t want to. As long as you have it set up and collecting data, you’re ready for any updates or new features released by Google. While it might be intimidating and difficult to use, it’s clear that GA4 is the future of Analytics, and you should be ready for it.

Can you do SEO yourself?

Should I use Google Analytics 4? While it might be intimidating and difficult to use, it’s clear that GA4 is the future of Analytics, and you should be ready for it. That said, there’s no reason you can’t run a Universal Analytics property at the same time to get all the benefits of both. In fact, we recommend running both!

Advantages of Google Analytics 4
Improved Customer Journey Tracking.
Improved user engagement analysis.
More powerful audiences for your advertising campaigns.
Smarter user privacy and tracking features.
Simplified Goals and Events Configuration.

Is SEO hard to do yourself?

Improved visualizations and reporting.

How much time does it take to learn SEO?

A plethora of parameters.

Can You Learn SEO by yourself?

Can I learn SEO in 2 months?

Better Real Time Data. Google Analytics 4 has better real-time reporting than Universal Analytics. You can drill down into the real-time reports to understand more about what users are doing on your site (or in your app), and you can even see what individual users are doing.