Google Analytics 4 provides the necessary support for measurement requirements. As we start to turn down Universal Analytics, it is recommended to switch to Google Analytics. The standard Universal Analytics properties will pause the processing of the new hits from next year.
If you want to reap the full benefits of the measurement continuity of Google Analytics 4, automated insights about the customer journey, it is recommended to complete the setting of Google Analytics 4. It brings an improvement in the marketing ROI. In this article, we will discuss the step-by-step guide which offers a helping hand to transit from universal Google Analytics to Google Analytics:
- The first step involves signing into Google Analytics. You should choose the account and property from the Admin page that you are willing to upgrade.
- Next, you should hit on Universal Analytics Upgrade, located within the property column.
- Now, you should go to Transfer to Universal Analytics and tap on Transfer.
- Again, in this step, you should check out the information present in the pop-up.
Now that you have learned that you can transfer the property to Universal Analytics, you should tap on Upgrade. If you think you are not willing to do the transit, you should tap on Cancel.
- Again, you have to press on Show timeout settings, after which you should configure the campaign timeout handling and the session.
If you fail to configure such settings, you should make sure to use the default values. You should allow the duration of 24–48 hours so that the transit is completed. Once you find the popup, with the property transfer complete option, you can be sure that the Universal Analytics transfer is completed.
Once the above steps are completed, all you need to do is add the latest tracking code. You should take into account that as long as Universal Analytics remains in beta, the Premium service level agreement is not going to cover it. If you have a premium account, you would need to wait for Phase 3, before the completion of the upgrade process. You can also consider using either of the below-mentioned features:
- Interests Reports and Demographics of Google Analytics
- Doubleclick Campaign Manager Integration
- Network Impression Report of Google Display
- Remarketing
The features, mentioned above are not available with Universal Analytics anymore. Before you make the transit, you should ensure that you cannot go back any time soon. Hence, you should ensure that you are completely ready for the transfer.
There are a plethora of reasons why it is recommended to transit to Google Analytics from Universal Analytics. In addition to the extra functionality, you can implement the tracking code easily without any challenges on a plethora of levels.
The latest tracking code comes with three different versions, which include the Google Analytics SDKs for mobile application tracking, analytics.js Javascript library, and measurement protocol for different digital devices, such as information kiosks and game consoles.
You will be capable of setting up subdomain tracking and cross-domain tracking easily. Besides this, you can use it in the form of a chore on different levels for complicated sites.
The latest analytics offer access to the latest configuration options. Besides this, you are going to find session and campaign timeout handling, organic search sources, search term exclusion, and referral exclusions. The latest Universal Analytics provides access to the latest metrics, custom dimensions, and latest features.
Excluding the search terms
It happens to be another exclusive feature of Google that provides the suitable opportunity to exclude the organic keyword searches for the specific term from the organic keyword report and reveal the visits, as mentioned in the direct traffic.
You can control the settings with the application of the admin settings present in either property of the account. If you are willing to exclude the traffic flow that comes into the site through specific search terms, you should follow the below-mentioned steps:
The first step involves navigation to the property. If you find that it is not present on the settings screen, you should tap on Admin.
Now, you need to press on Tracking Info, following which you should go to the Search Term Exclusion List.
- In this step, you should press “+Add Search Term.”
- Now, it is recommended to type a string, phrase, or word as the search term.
- Here, you should tap on Create so that you can save.
According to Google, privacy and security are similar to those of Universal Analytics. They include safeguards such as Google Analytics browser opt-out add-on, IP masking, security work with the Universal Analytics JavaScript Library, and data confidentiality, to name a few.
Google Analytics is here to stay. You are sure to reap a lot of benefits as you switch to Universal Google Analytics. However, if you perform the transit, you should ensure that you can track all the marketing efforts without any challenges.
