How do Google Analytics 4 and Universal Analytics differ?
GA4 is the new version of Google Analytics that is about to replace Universal Analytics, where you can get metrics, reports, tracking systems, and others. This is a short outline of the differences between the two.
Google Analytics 4 is the newer version of Google Analytics that is designed to track WordPress websites. Previously, website owners used Universal Analytics to track apps and websites. The best thing about GA4 is that it gives website owners a better picture of the customer’s journey across devices and channels.
Furthermore, it offers more privacy to users. Therefore, websites are using it to track traffic. Universal Analytics may end on July 2023, but that does not mean you cannot track your site visitors. Google has updated the features and is ready to switch to GA4 to improve things.
Switching to GA4 soon with the help of a local paid advertising firm will help protect your data and records as Universal Analytics shuts down. The following are the critical differences between GA4 and Universal Analytics.
Key Differences between Google Analytics 4 and Universal Analytics
Some of the significant differences between GA4 and UA include the following.
Performance Analysis
One of the main differences between both platforms is the analysis level. Universal Analytics allows you to create reports and use dimensions to get insights. However, GA4 does more exploration. It helps build templates for further analyses you want to make your reports. You can quickly check the customer’s journey before they decide to buy. Furthermore, GA4 generates reports with more options to add dimensions, segments, and metrics.
Capturing Interactions
Universal Analytics and GA4 also differ in the way they capture interactions. In Universal Analytics, interactions are usually captured by different elements like transactions, social interactions, page views, etc. On the other hand, GA4 interactions are captured as events. Even though events are also in Universal Analytics, they are classified, something lacking in GA4. Instead, GA4 uses additional parameters to add information about the event or the customer’s action.
Tracking Form Conversions
Another difference is the form conversions. Forms are crucial since they provide an easier way for users to reach you, give feedback, and get answers to various questions. Therefore, GA4 allows you to perform better. However, you must add a code to track form conversions with GA4. This can be a tricky step since a simple mistake breaks your site.
Session Calculations
You can also note a difference in session calculations. In UA, a session is the time a user spends actively on a website. A session ends when a user spends 30 minutes or more inactive. If the clock passes midnight, it indicates the end of one session and the beginning of another.
Other places with a difference between the two analytics platforms include:
- Reporting interface
- A new model of measuring data
- App tracking
- Engagement and bounce rate
Final Words
A lot will change once Google Analytics shifts to an event-based from the session-based model. We hope the article has helped you understand the difference between GA4 and UA and how the shift will transform websites.
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