How to Update Google Analytics to Google Analytics 4

How To Update Google Analytics To Google Analytics 4

Google Analytics 4 (GA4) is the latest version of Google’s popular analytics platform. It offers a number of new features and improvements over the previous version, Universal Analytics (UA).

If you’re currently using UA, you’ll need to update to GA4 at some point. Google has announced that UA will stop processing new data on July 1, 2023.

Here’s how to update to GA4:

1. Go to your Google Analytics account.
2. Click the Admin button in the top right corner.
3. In the left-hand navigation, select “Property”.
4. Click the “GA4 Setup Assistant” link.
5. Follow the instructions in the GA4 Setup Assistant to create a new GA4 property.
6. Once you’ve created a new GA4 property, you’ll need to install the GA4 tracking code on your website or app.
7. Once the GA4 tracking code is installed, you can start collecting data in GA4.

It’s important to note that GA4 data is not compatible with UA data. This means that you’ll need to start from scratch when you create a GA4 property.

However, there are a few things you can do to make the transition to GA4 easier:

• Use the GA4 Setup Assistant to import your UA data into GA4.
• Use the Google Analytics Data Export Tool to export your UA data to a CSV file.
• Use the Google Analytics 4 Migration Assistant to help you migrate your UA reports to GA4.

For more information on how to update to GA4, please visit the Google Analytics Help Center.

Here are some additional tips for updating to GA4:

• Start planning your migration early. The sooner you start, the more time you’ll have to get everything set up correctly.
• Test your GA4 implementation thoroughly before you launch it to the public. This will help you identify any potential problems and fix them before they impact your users.
• Monitor your GA4 data closely after you launch it. This will help you track your progress and make sure that GA4 is meeting your needs.

Reasons why you should upgrade to Google Analytics 4:

• It’s the future of analytics. Google Analytics 4 is a completely new platform that is designed to be more flexible, scalable, and privacy-friendly than the previous version.
• It offers more insights. GA4 uses machine learning to provide more insights into your users’ behavior, such as how they find your website or app, how they interact with your content, and how they convert into customers.
• It’s easier to use. GA4 has a simpler interface that is easier to navigate and understand.
• It’s more compatible with other Google products. GA4 is more integrated with other Google products, such as Google Ads and Google Marketing Platform.

If you’re serious about analytics, then you should upgrade to Google Analytics 4 today. It’s the future of analytics and it offers a number of advantages over the previous version.

What happens if I don’t upgrade to GA4?

1. Limited access to new features: By not upgrading to GA4, you may miss out on the latest features and improvements that Google introduces in their analytics platform. GA4 offers advanced tracking options, machine learning capabilities, and a more flexible data model, which can provide valuable insights for your business.
2. Incompatibility with future updates: As Google continues to develop its analytics platform, there is a possibility that future updates and enhancements will be specific to GA4. Over time, the previous version of Google Analytics (Universal Analytics) may receive fewer updates, potentially resulting in compatibility issues with other tools, platforms, or integrations.
3. Missed opportunities for data analysis: GA4 is designed to provide a more comprehensive view of user behavior across multiple devices and touchpoints. It offers event-based tracking, improved cross-domain tracking, and deeper integration with other Google Marketing Platform products. By not upgrading, you may have a limited understanding of your customers’ interactions and miss opportunities for data analysis and optimization.
4. Longer-term transition challenges: Eventually, Google may phase out support for the older version of Google Analytics (Universal Analytics) or reduce its functionality. If you delay the transition to GA4, you may face more significant challenges when migrating your existing data, configurations, and reporting setups to the new platform in the future.

Updating to GA4 can be a bit of work, but it’s worth it in the long run. GA4 offers a number of new features and improvements that can help you get more out of your analytics data. So what are you waiting for? Start updating to GA4 today!

Need assistance upgrading your Google Analytics account?  Contact us for an estimate.