Introduction

 

Google Analytics 4 (GA4) has been launched but there is still a lot of misunderstanding on the differences between GA4 and the earlier Universal Analytics. Do you wish to know the variations between Google Analytics 4 and Universal Analytics? The latest Google Analytics version, GA4, is going to take the place of Universal Analytics. You receive new reports, metrics, tracking systems, and more with the new version. We will review the key difference between the two Google Analytics platforms in more detail below, along with the reasons why you must be aware of them.

 

UA VS GA4

 

In comparison to Universal Analytics, Google Analytics 4 is the next version of Google Analytics, giving a more complete and sophisticated collection of features. Google Analytics 4 uses a broader strategy, using machine learning and AI to offer a more thorough picture of customer activity across channels and devices. While Universal Analytics concentrates on recording individual user interactions on a website.

 

The latest release of Google's popular analytics tool, Google Analytics tracks both your WordPress website and applications on the same network. In the past, Universal Analytics required you to track your apps and websites on its own. You can see more about your customers' journeys across many channels and devices with Google Analytics 4. Also, GA4 offers users better data privacy.


 

Our Learners Also Read: The Beginners Guide To Google Analytics


 

Differences Between Google Analytics 4 Vs. Universal Analytics

 

There are certain major variations between Universal Analytics and Google Analytics 4 (GA4). And you must know all these before making a switch (in addition.

 

Parameter 

Google Analytics 4

Universal Analytics

Google Tag Manager

This isn't now possible with GA4. Each goal is event-based, thus understanding Google Tag Manager is more crucial than ever. It is useful if you work in e-commerce or digital marketing.


 

You could use GA Universal without Google Tag Manager if you only needed its more basic features. For instance, Google Analytics itself lets you to set up destination page conversions. 


 

Bounce rate and engagement rate

The percentage of sessions that were not engaged is regarded as the bounce rate in Google Analytics 4.


 

The percentage of visitors to your website who only view one page in UA is known as the bounce rate.


 

Total Users

total users in ga4 is the number of different users who registered for all events


 

Number of all the users is the main user measure in UA.


 

Pageview

total number of web pages or app screens that your users visited. (The sum of pageviews and screenviews is the Views metric visible in the reporting interface.) A single screen or page gets counted many times.


 

The number of pages viewed. A single page's many views are counted.


 

Purchases

Within the Improved Ecommerce model, purchase events are generated.

When you decide to transmit that event, data is extracted in a purchase event by using Google Analytics' given JavaScript to get data from an array of all items.


 

Within the Enhanced Ecommerce model, purchase events are generated.

When you decide to send that event, information can be obtained in a purchase event by using Google Analytics' given JavaScript to get data from an array of all items.


 

Sessions

The session_start event generates a session ID, and Analytics connects the session ID with each successive event in the session to pinpoint the session from which each event comes.

Depending on the session timeout settings, a session will end if there has been inactivity for longer than 30 minutes.

At midnight or if fresh campaign parameters are discovered, sessions are not restarted.

After a session timeout, if a user returns, a new login will begin.


 

Time a consumer spends using your website or app

Has set limits for what could bring it to an end For instance, based on the session timeout settings, a session will finish when there has been inactivity for more than 30 minutes, the timestamp has expired at midnight (in the time zone the view is set up in), or new campaign parameters come to light. 

After a session timeout, if a user shows up, a new session will begin.

A fresh session will begin if the user is still logged in at midnight.

A fresh session will be begun if a user selects new campaign parameters while on the website.


 



In summary, let's go on the following:

 

  • All hits are kept as events in GA4. This has both pros (such as the ability to track outbound link clicks and file downloads automatically) and cons.
  • Views vanish in GA4. In the GA4 account structure, "Data Streams" have taken their place, even though they don't serve the same purpose that Views did in the past.
  • Various measurements occur. In UA, we relied on metrics like average session length and bounce rate. But these metrics are either gone or very different in GA4.
  • In comparison to UA, GA4 has fewer standard reports available. This requires some adjustment. The good news is that we can tailor the more confined reports to fit our needs.
  • Events in GA4 can be broken down into 4 categories. These events comprise those that are automatically gathering, enhanced measurement events, suggesting events, and custom events. Out of those 4, only the first two are automatically tracked; the other two require special implementation.
  • Conversion tracking configuration is different. In UA, there were various kinds of conversions (referred to as "goals"). Only events in GA4 can be defined as conversions. No more targets for pages/sessions or session time.
  • Google Tag Manager, Google Analytics, and other Google tags can be set with the help of Google Tag Assistant.


 

Conclusion

 

Google data Analytics is a tool that takes information from your apps and websites to provide insights that give you insights into where your business does. You may want to match the reported outcomes in your Google Analytics 4  to those in your Universal Analytics as you configure Google Analytics 4. This blog describes the extent to which figures between Google Analytics 4 and Universal Analytics can and cannot be.

 

Unlike GA4, which sums both online and app data in a single property, Universal Analytics measures screen views in separate mobile-specific properties. When comparing pageview stats across your GA4 property's tracking of web and app data, be sure to account for the more app traffic. Extra filtering options offered by Universal Analytics may have an impact on the data in the view you are comparing to. You may have varying pageview counts between UA and GA4. For instance, if you use a filter to omit a certain region. Stay in touch with The IoT Academy for more technical updates!

 

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