While over the years, Google has grown and improvedthe platform, it announced the sunset of Universal Analytics.
Google announced Universal Analytics as the nextversion of Google Analytics back in October 2012. The tracking code has beencompletely changed, and the backend has been significantly improved say the Digital Marketing Jacksonville experts. Andthey only opened the Beta to the public. Although there are no new reports, you will need to switch to Universal Analytics sooner or later if you want to access improvements to Google Analytics.
Going to Universal Analytics is not an immediateupgrade. You will need to configure a new property and change all GoogleAnalytics code on your site. First, we will cover how to run Universal Analytics.
Now I must admit that even though I use GoogleAnalytics every day, I was not sure what that meant. Do we use universalanalytics? What exactly is "property"? How does it fit into this picture? Assuming I am not alone in my confusion, I am ready to know and that is what I am sharing today. Read on to find out:
What is changing, why, and when?
- How to tell if your account will be affected
- What you need to do
What is changing?
Simple version: Universal Analytics is changingfrom Google Analytics 4 to July 1, 2023.
Official announcement: Google announced that as ofJuly 1, 2023, the standard Universal Analytics features will no longer process data. You will be able to view your Universal Analytics reports for a periodafter July 1, 2023. However, the new data only Your GA will come in 4 properties.
What is Universal Analytics property?
This is the website or app you are tracking withGoogle Analytics. If you are currently using Universal Analytics to track yourwebsite, it will be called your "Universal Analytics Property". After setting up GA4, you will have "Google Analytics 4 Properties" for that website say the Digital Marketing Jacksonville experts. Because UA and GA4 are different, you have different reports availablefor each property.
What is Google Analytics 4?
Google Analytics: The first example of Google Analytics came out in 2005 (when you had a razor flipphone with your favorite song as a ringtone).
Universal Analytics: A new and improved version of Google Analytics that came outin 2012 and became the default property type.
Google Analytics 360: This is a software suite that, in addition to Universal Analytics,provides Tag Manager, Optimize, Data Studio, Survey, Attribution, and AudienceCenter. Emerged in 2016.
Google Analytics 4: This is the latest version of Google Analytics, released on October 14, 2020.
What is the differencebetween UA and GA4?
Google Analytics 4 doesn't just offer moreUniversal Analytics. It is designed differently to suit current and futureneeds for reporting and privacy. Here are some differences and advantages.
Event-based: While universal analytics is session-based, GA4 is event-based. In other words, theability to track events such as button clicks, video play, etc. is included with GA4, while it requires advanced setup in UA. This is based on the fact that page views are not the only important metric.
Cross-Device Tracking: UA was built around desktop web traffic, while GA4 allows businessesto navigate users across all of their websites and apps.
Machine Learning: GA4 makes use of machine learning technology in order to share insights.
Privacy: UA data relies heavily on cookies, GA4 does not. Universal Analytics vs. Google Analytics 4
How can you tell if you areusing Universal Analytics?
Google Analytics 4 came out on October 14, 2020, and became the default, so if you've created your property after that date, you're probably using GA4 states the experts Digital Marketing Agency Jacksonville. If you were using Analytics before this date, youare probably using UA. If you are unsure, you can check your property type by clicking the down arrow at the top left of your account, next to your property name.
UA Property ID starts with UA and ends with anumber.
GA 4 properties have numbers only.
What do I need to do?
If you are currently using Universal Analytics, there are three steps to prioritize:
1. Go to GA 4 assoon as possible
While you may have more than a year to make thischange, it's best to switch now so that your GA4 account can collect the dataneeded for automated insights. If you are currently using UA, you may want to set up GA4 property with your existing UA property. Use Google's GA4 Setup Assistant, which gives you the option to set it up with your existing tagging.
If you run Google ads, have extreme events, or useother advanced features, check out Google's page on how to get to Google Analytics 4; Divides into stages.
2. Organize yourGoogle Ad Conversion Tracking
Once your GA4 property is set up, you will be ableto view analytics data in your Google Ads account.
If you set up conversion tracking, you shouldimport analytics conversions into Google Ads and remove all UA targets to avoidduplicates suggests the Internet Marketing experts. To import your Analytics variants into your Google Advertising account, select Tools and Settings> Conversions> Add a new conversion process, and select Import: There you can select each transition event you want to import.
3. Exporthistorical reports
Google will allow access to your Universal Analytics data for at least six months after July 1, 2023, during which time you must export data that is important to you. There are three ways to export:
You can export individual reports.
- Use the Google Analytics Reporting API.
- Export to Big Query Googl
Conclusion
I've mentioned it before but it's worth mentioning again: don't stretch your legs when switching to GA4.
The sooner you start, the less historical data you'll need to export in July, and the sooner Google's machine learning can begin to surface and predict the intelligence in your account.
