Google Analytics 4 introduces the latest analytics platform to monitor an application and website from the same account. It offers in-depth insights into how potential audiences reach the site. It is equipped with a bunch of reporting features that allow the storage and processing of data from previous analytics versions. In addition, you can seek information about future traffic use analysis and measurement.
What is Google Analytics 4?
Google Analytics 4 allows you to monitor the whole customer path across various platforms. Moreover, it makes the best use of machine learning and Artificial Intelligence to know how a specific user interacts with the application and site.
The best thing about Google Analytics 4 is its suitable platform. In fact, it is considered to be the future of Analytics. The features developed in Google Analytics 4 can be used here only, instead of Universal Analytics.
Difference between Google Analytics 4 and Universal Analytics
Now, we will tell you about some major differences between Universal Analytics and Google Analytics 4
GA4 vs Universal Analytics
The data modeling change is the most significant difference between Google Analytics 4 and Universal Analytics. Moreover, they differ regarding user interface, data architecture, terminology, reporting, and navigation. Google Analytics 4 focuses on tracking the data from more App+Web properties to give the potential audience a broader data perspective. Universal Analytics, on the other hand, restricts the monitoring of independent web sessions.
Missing bounce rate
Google Analytics4 is using engaged sessions instead of bounce rates. So, you will witness the percentage of people who interacted on the site, not those who left it without any interaction. So, the new metric Google Analytics4 provides a suitable opportunity to concentrate on Engagement Rate.
Marketers gain more control through Google Analytics 4
Google Analytics 4 provides a suitable choice to personalize the dashboard instead of Universal Analytics. Moreover, it allows you to view the matters crucial for the business. In addition, it helps you create customer segments according to the trigger events. So, it helps you monitor customer interactions more accurately. A prominent aspect of Google Analytics 4 is that it allows you to develop custom data visualization. From these facts, it is evident that Google Analytics 4 enables the user to enjoy a granular view of the users and their behaviors.
Data retention
Google Analytics 4 provides you with the opportunity to store the data for 14 months only. Moreover, you will not be able to take the historical data from universal analytics. In addition, GA4 will start the tracking of data after upgrading. Also, you will not lose the UA data after you upgrade to GA4. Also, keep your account and the data in the Universal Analytics intact till it is removed on 1st July 2023. After upgrading to GA4, create a property to access the data from the latest User Analytics property.
Events help track the actions in the web apps and pages. User Analytics is restricted to Event label, Event value, Event action, and event category, impacting the potential and reporting information. When it comes to parameters, GA4 offers more flexibility. It also helps record the parameters.