1. How is data collected differently?

Google Analytics 4 has changed how data is collected with a new event-based data model. This model focuses on collecting all hits as events compared to Universal Analytics which had different hit types for different data points (pages, events, transactions, scroll and more).

2. What is enhanced measurement in GA4?

Google Analytics 4 can track enhanced measurement out of the box which previously was not available within Universal Analytics without a customised implementation. The new enhanced measurements currently available are:

• Scroll Tracking

• Video Engagement

• Outbound Clicks

• File Downloads

These are vital metrics to track for most organisations and the out of the box capabilities will provide greater insights than previously available.

3. Is the Client ID the same if visiting a site with both Universal Analytics (UA) and Google Analytics 4 (GA4) as a new user?

The GA4 cookie still creates a Client ID (called App Instance ID) but doesn’t match up with a Universal Analytics Client ID. There is not an out of the box method for matching up users between UA and GA4 without setting up / collecting a custom dimensions / event parameter for GA4 App Instance ID and UA Client ID.

4. Is the CustomTask function still available in Google Analytics 4?

‘gtag.js’ doesn’t support the use of CustomTask. This will impact any migration from Universal Analytics in which the implementation relies on using this feature.

5. Is Cross-Domain Tracking still available in Google Analytics 4?

Cross-Domain Tracking remains unchanged between versions and is still available within Google Analytics 4.

1. Are views still available in GA4?

For now, it appears Google Analytics 4 has said goodbye to reporting views. This is a huge change from Universal Analytics, which provided the ability to create views from a single property (single collection of data) and filter them to provide different views on the dataset.

2. Are filters available in GA4?

Filters are still available within GA4 but are limited in comparison to Universal Analytics, only providing the option to filter out internal and developer data from your property.

3. How are configuration options different in GA4?

In Google Analytics 4, a new Configure section has been introduced, this is the hub for customising the data collected with options including Creating, Modifying Events, setting up Conversions, creating and managing audiences and a new DebugView.

4. How do I modify data in GA4?

Universal Analytics provided the ability to modify data using search-and-replace filters, this has been replaced in GA4 with its own feature in the Configure section, “Modify event”.

It is worth noting as with Universal Analytics, changes aren’t applied to historical data. Just like filters in Universal Analytics, events are processed in the order they appear in Event modifications list.

5. Are Custom Dimensions available in GA4?

One of the options available in the Configure section is Custom definitions, the new home for creating Custom Dimensions and Custom metrics, previously available within the Property admin section in Universal Analytics.

In Universal Analytics, Custom Dimensions were created within the “Admin” section however the data had to be collected into the Custom Dimension slot created in the interface.

In Google Analytics 4, that is no longer the case. If the data has been collected into an event, you’ll now have the option to create a Custom Dimension to use in your reporting without having to implement any new tracking.

For the time being, only User and Event scoped Custom Dimensions are available within Google Analytics 4, so you won’t be able to migrate your session and product scoped dimensions for the time being.

6. How do I create Goals in GA4?

Another one of the options available in Configure section is “Conversions”. In Google Analytics 4, “Conversions” are the replacement for Goals but unlike Universal Analytics, they can only be set-up for events.

7. Can I replicate Destination Goals in GA4?

To replicate destination goals from Universal Analytics, you will first need to create a new event using the “Create Event” feature in the “Configure” section, setting the parameter for ‘page_location’ to match the page you want to set-up as a “Conversion”

8. Are Custom Channel Groupings available in GA4?

Google Analytics 4 no longer provides an option to define Custom Channel Groupings.

9. Can I edit Default Channel Groupings in GA4?

The only way to update the Default Channel Groupings for Google Analytics is to email googleanalytics-channelgrouprequests@google.com. Google have stated they will review these requests at least once per year.