Hey there, Benjamin from Loves Data here.
Welcome back! Google has just announced their plan to sunset Universal Analytics next year.
So if you're using the previous version of Google Analytics, you have until the end of
June 2023 to transition to Google Analytics 4 (GA4).
In this video, I'm going to cover some important questions people are asking about moving from
Universal Analytics to GA4.
Since Universal Analytics will stop working next year, it's critical that you begin planning
your move to GA4.
So in a moment, I'm also going to show you how to quickly add GA4 in parallel to your
existing Universal Analytics property.
It also means it's a good time to start learning more about the features and reports available
in GA4, so I've also included links to my GA4 courses and extra resources in the description
below this video.
Okay, let's cover some important questions...
What happens after June 2023?
Your Universal Analytics properties will stop processing data into reports.
From 1 July 2023, you will see zeros in your reports (only historical data will be available).
And if you're using the paid version of Google Analytics, so GA 360, then you will have three
more months to migrate to GA4.
What happens to data in Universal Analytics?
Google has said you will be able to access your historical data for at least six months
after Universal Analytics stops processing data.
This means you have until the end of December 2023 to download any historical data and insights.
After this time, you won't be able to access any of your reports in Universal Analytics.
How can I check which version of Google Analytics I'm using?
It's pretty easy to check if you're using Universal Analytics or GA4.
Let's head to Google Analytics to take a look...
Okay, I've already logged into Google Analytics and we're looking at one of Google's demo
properties.
There are a couple of easy ways to tell if you're looking at Universal Analytics or GA4.
The first thing to look at is the main menu on the left...
If you hover over the menu and see 'Home', 'Reports', 'Explore', 'Advertising', and 'Configure',
then you're looking at a GA4 property.
The other way to tell is by selecting the property and view selector at the top...
You might find that your GA4 property has a name that makes it easy to tell, like we
can see here, but this isn't always the case.
Instead, look at the property ID below the name...
We can see the ID is 213025502...
If this ID only contains numbers, then you're looking at a GA4 property.
But we can see below this, the other property has an ID that starts with a 'UA'...
So this is a Universal Analytics property.
Let's select the Universal Analytics property...
You will also see that Universal Analytics properties contain reporting views...
So let's select a reporting view...
You will notice the menu is different to what we saw in GA4.
Remember if you see 'Home', 'Reports', 'Explore', 'Advertising', and 'Configure', then you're
looking at a GA4 property.
Since we can't see 'Reports', 'Explore', 'Advertising', or 'Configure' in the menu, this means we're
looking at a Universal Analytics property.
Now let's select 'Admin'...
Since we're looking at the admin area for a Universal Analytics property, we can see
there are three columns.
So this is another way to tell what type of property you're looking at.
If we select a GA4 property...
Then there are only two columns.
So they're some different ways you can identify if you're using Universal Analytics or GA4.
Can I upgrade Universal Analytics to GA4?
Unfortunately, you can't simply upgrade your Universal Analytics property to a GA4 property.
Instead, you need to set up a new GA4 property in parallel to your existing Universal Analytics
property.
Can I move data from Universal Analytics to GA4?
No, unfortunately, this isn't possible.
There is no way to import data from Universal Analytics into GA4.
The best option is to set up GA4 in parallel to Universal Analytics.
Let's take a look at the steps to setup GA4 in parallel to your existing Universal Analytics
property...
One of the easiest ways to get up and running is to use the 'GA4 Setup Assistant'.
Let's select this...
I recommend using the option at the top that says 'I want to create a new Google Analytics
4 property', so let's click 'Get Started'...
The option to collect data using your existing tag might be available for your property,
but my suggestion is to install the tag separately using Google Tag Manager.
So leave this option deselected and click 'Create Property'...
Now click 'See your GA4 property'...
Google Analytics provides some recommended steps to help you get started.
So let's select 'Tag Installation'...
Now we need to select the data stream...
And on the top right corner you will see the 'Measurement ID'...
Let's copy this...
And now let's head to Google Tag Manager...
We need to create a new tag...
Let's name the tag 'Google Analytics GA4'...
And let's select 'Tag Configuration'...
We need to choose 'GA4 Configuration' as the tag type...
And now we need to paste the measurement ID we just copied...
Now let's select 'Triggering'...
And select 'All Page'...
This will mean our new GA4 tag will fire on all of the pages on our website.
Now we can save the tag...
You can preview the tag to check that the tag is working correctly, but I'm happy with
my tag, so I'm going to click 'Submit'...
I've now added GA4 to my website in parallel to the existing Universal Analytics tag.
So they're the steps to add the GA4 tag to your website.
This will now automatically collect page views and details about some other important actions
taking place on your website.
If you've implemented any customizations, then you will also need to set these up in
Google Tag Manager so that they're sent to Google Analytics.
How do I set up and configure GA4?
If you're using Universal Analytics, I recommend listing out any customizations you've made
(think event tracking, filters, ecommerce tracking, etc.).
Then you can use this list to ensure you replicate those customizations in GA4.
I've included a link to get my GA4 Checklist in the description below this video.
How can I learn more about GA4?
I've included links to my other GA4 tutorials on YouTube in the description below this video.
And if you're looking for a course to guide you through everything you need to know about
GA4, then check out my courses.
I've also included links in the description.
So they're some of the most important questions people are asking about moving from Universal
Analytics to GA4.
I'm working on a GA4 FAQ video, so if you have another question you would like to see
me answer, there's a link in the description that will let you submit your GA4 questions.
Are you using GA4 yet?
I'd love to know!
And if you found this video helpful, please like it so I know to make more videos like
this one.
I'll see you in the next video.