Everything You Need to Learn About Google Analytics 4
Change Is The Only Cnstant. Instead of Being Sad About GA4, Try and Utilise It
What is Google Analytics?
Google Analytics is a web analytics service offering a plethora of analytical tools and statistics essential for SEO(Seach Engine Optimization) and marketing. It is the key to the treasure trove of information and statistics on website traffic and visitor behaviour. Free and premium account holders can leverage these services equally available in both versions. Google Analytics lets you track and analyse your website performance. Moreover, you can track and assess the Return on Investment of your video, flash, social networking websites and applications.
What is Universal Analytics?
Launched in October 2012, Universal Analytics is a version of Google Analytics that created a new benchmark for gathering and managing user data. It provides updated website tracking codes and tools to deeply assess user behaviour. It uses analytics.js tracking codes for software development kits for mobile applications, websites and the Measurement Protocol for other digital devices.
What is Google Analytics 4?
Google Analytics 4, alias GA4, is the updated version of Google’s data collection and web traffic analysis platform. It was launched on October 14, 2020, and aims to be more privacy-focused and future-proof than traditional Universal Analytics. GA4 employs a more event-based data architecture that tracks user interactions with your website or app rather than just pageviews and sessions. These attributes make it more responsive and flexible to changes in internet use.
Why is Google Coming up with GA4?
GA4 is a fine example of Google’s customer-centric approach that aims at making the users’ life easy and productive. The new version is more powerful, flexible and accurate than its predecessor Universal Analytics. GA4 allows you to check data and insights within a few seconds, cutting down the long waiting hours. Plus, with GA4, you can access additional features and capabilities to benefit a thriving business.
Russell Ketchem, Google’s Product Manager, stated that ‘Universal Analytics was developed for a generation of online measurement that was rooted on the desktop web, independent sessions, and more readily viewable data via cookies. This approach has become outdated. This method is still not future-proof.’
What are the Limitations of Universal Analytics?
Although Universal Analytics is a powerful web analytics platform, it is not free from a few limitations, such as-
- No Historical Data Import: Universal Analytics does not allow importing historical data necessary for examining growth trends and setting standards for current marketing initiatives. Hence you cannot access any historical data.
- Hit limits: Universal Analytics has restricted the daily number of hits. It can only track a maximum of 200,000 hits per user per day. If the limits exceed, you cannot access any reports.
- Data Processing Latency: Universal Analytics only has a data processing latency of 24 to 48 hours. Therefore new data to be processed and displayed in your reports can only be available after a day or two.
What are the Key Benefits of Google Analytics 4?
Google’s latest analytics platformGA4 simplifies the data collection process and some other benefits, like,
- Better Data Privacy: One of the top benefits of GA4 is its ability to provide better data privacy through data anonymization. It enables users to gain control over how their data is being collected and with whom it is shared. This feature helps companies protect their privacy.
- Advanced machine learning capabilities: GA4 uses machine learning tools to identify data patterns, automatically generating more accurate insights. It saves time and improves the accuracy of the analysis.
- Improved cross-device and cross-platform tracking: GA4 provides a more comprehensive approach to tracking user activity across devices and platforms. It will also help businesses gain a better understanding of their customers.
- Enhanced integration with various products of Google: GA4 is said to be integrated with other Google products, i.e. Google Ads and Google BigQuery, making data analysis easier across multiple platforms.
Is Google Analytics 4 Migration Mandatory?
Google has already confirmed this news on their support page. It stated that the traditional Universal Analytics tool would become obsolete from July 1 2023. It will no longer process data and update the reports used to measure web traffic and analyze data. Therefore it is mandatory for users to upgrade to GA4.
Make Way For the New Transition With Google Analytics 4!
In the grand digital landscapes, where businesses rely on data for paving their way to success, Google Analytics 4 emerges as a mystical tool, promising profound insights into website performance, user behaviour, and marketing effectiveness. However, its true capabilities remain veiled. Behind the seemingly indispensable importance and high claims lies the risk of a monopolistic spell, potentially stifling alternative options and innovation.
