Google Analytics 4 (GA4) vs. Universal Analytics (UA)

In this video we explore GA4 vs. Universal Analytics (UA) across 6 key areas.

This includes:

- The data model: based on sessions and page views in UA and events in GA4

- Some new verbiage about account structure: There are no more Views in GA4 as there were in UA. Instead, we need to become familiar with Data Streams.

- Some changing metrics: Bounce Rate no longer exists in GA4. In it's place, the closest corollary is something new called "Engaged Sessions"

- A new philosophy on reporting: UA seems as though it was built as a collection of reports. GA4, on the other hand, has far fewer standard reports and relies on building custom explorations in GA4 or exporting data out of the platform

Events in GA4 vs. UA: There are 4 types of events to know in GA4. Learn more about what this means since they are set up in different ways (some of them automatically)

Conversions in GA4:

Setting up conversions is different in GA4 than in UA. This video was made with Loom. I've been using Loom for a couple of years now and it saves by replacing long and complex emails, communicating when showing is easier than telling, and making YouTube videos like this.

If you're interested in using it yourself check out https://loom.grsm.io/rb-youtube (note, I will receive a small commission)

*Some relevant links for further reading*

GA4 vs. UA: https://www.rootandbranchgroup.com/go...

6 Tasks to get started with GA4: https://www.rootandbranchgroup.com/ga... And for some additional event and conversion tracking setups mentioned in this video, here are some tutorials. - How to set up page timer event tracking: https://youtu.be/Ysjfh2v8Acg - How to set up GA4 form submission tracking with a thank you page: https://youtu.be/mc9BHAmnrMI - How to set up GA4 form submission tracking with Contact Form 7: https://youtu.be/I2P5zVaiKXk - How to set up scroll depth tracking (UA): https://youtu.be/h84svDhTZTo - The Average Session Duration Metric in UA Explained: https://youtu.be/iw59OeK0YhU - How to set up conversion tracking in UA: https://youtu.be/abK5SJ62xi4 - How to set up YouTube video view tracking: https://youtu.be/f8QjfoiFc6g And here are some other GA4 specific resources that might be helpful: https://youtu.be/Gcn_I-xHnvU - Registering Custom Dimensions in GA4 Explained https://youtu.be/sF_KPPhzF-Y - How to Set Up Link Click Tracking in GA4 https://youtu.be/tEuQBy0m5c0 - How to Filter Out Internal Data in GA4 https://youtu.be/FgyM94BTFck - How to sync Google Search Console data with GA4 https://youtu.be/ZX1A-RhfEVI - How to Set Up Site Search in GA4 and UA https://youtu.be/zEhwN_76SfM - How to Set Up GA4 in 5 Minutes With GTM

Root and Branch offers free digital marketing training and tips focused on Google Analytics, Google Ads, Google Tag Manager, and SEO.