Unlocking Your Favorite UA Reports in GA4

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Key Differences between GA4 and UA
3. New Features in GA4
   • Report Editing
   • Creating Custom Reports
   • Collections in GA4
4. Navigating the GA4 User Interface
   • Understanding the Dropdown Menu
   • Adding a Second Dimension
   • Using the Search Field
5. Finding Favorite UA Reports in GA4
   • Channels Report
   • Events Report
   • Landing Pages Report
   • Devices Report
   • Conversions Report
6. Customizing Reports in GA4
   • Making Comparisons
   • Adding Filters
   • Saving Custom Reports
7. Understanding Device Categories in GA4
8. Exploring Conversion Metrics in GA4
   • Model Comparison
   • Conversion Paths
9. Conclusion
10. FAQ

Understanding GA4 Reports: Navigating the New Interface and Finding Your Favorite Reports

In the rapidly evolving world of digital analytics, Google Analytics (GA) has long been the go-to tool for tracking Website data and generating insightful reports. However, with the introduction of Google Analytics 4 (GA4), the user interface has undergone significant changes, leaving many users feeling overwhelmed and unsure about how to find their favorite reports.

1. Introduction

The transition from Universal Analytics (UA) to GA4 can be quite a shock, as the new interface presents less data and fewer reports upfront. However, fear not! In this article, we will guide You through the process of navigating the GA4 user interface and finding your familiar reports. Additionally, we'll explore some of the new features in GA4 that can enhance your reporting capabilities.

2. Key Differences between GA4 and UA

Before we dive into the specific reports in GA4, it's essential to understand the key differences between GA4 and UA. While UA provided extensive data and reports, GA4 takes a more streamlined approach, which might initially give the impression of less available information. However, rest assured that the information you need is still present; it just requires a bit of extra effort to uncover it.

3. New Features in GA4

GA4 introduces several new features that can significantly enhance your reporting experience. One such feature is the improved report editing functionality. In UA, you had to Create custom reports in a separate section, while GA4 allows you to modify the report directly in the interface itself. You can add or remove cards, change Dimensions and metrics, and even customize the report to suit your specific needs.

Another exciting feature in GA4 is the ability to create collections of reports. Collections allow you to group related reports together, making them easily accessible in the GA4 interface. You can also set a specific report as the default snapshot, ensuring that it's the first thing you see when you open GA4.

4. Navigating the GA4 User Interface

The GA4 user interface might initially appear daunting, but once you familiarize yourself with its features, you'll find it more user-friendly than ever. One key aspect to understand is the dropdown menu, which lets you change how reports are presented. In UA, separate reports were available for different data settings, but in GA4, you can access these options from the dropdown itself.

Additionally, GA4 allows you to add a second dimension to your reports, providing deeper insights into your data. You can also use the search field to filter the information you're looking for, ensuring you quickly find what you need.

5. Finding Favorite UA Reports in GA4

Let's now explore how to find some of your favorite reports from UA in GA4. The first report we'll cover is the channels report, which shows how different channels contribute to your website traffic. In GA4, you can find this report under the acquisition section, either under user acquisition or traffic acquisition.

Next, we'll look at the events report, which is crucial for tracking specific actions on your website. In GA4, the events report can be found under the engagement section, and it provides a comprehensive overview of the events recorded.

The landing pages report, essential for SEO practitioners, has undergone some changes in GA4. While it wasn't available initially, you can now find the landing pages report under the engagement section. We'll also explore how to filter this report for organic traffic.

The devices report allows you to analyze the devices visitors use to browse your site. In GA4, you can find this report under the user tech section, which provides valuable insights into device categories like desktop, mobile, and tablet.

Lastly, we'll look at the conversions report, which provides valuable data on goals and conversions. In GA4, conversions are found under the advertising section, and you can explore reports like model comparison and conversion paths for deeper insights.

6. Customizing Reports in GA4

GA4 offers several options to customize your reports to meet your specific needs. You can make comparisons between different metrics or dimensions to gain more insights. Additionally, you can add filters to focus on specific subsets of data, such as organic traffic or user logins. It's also worth saving your customized reports as new versions for easy access in the future.

7. Understanding Device Categories in GA4

Analyzing the devices visitors use to access your website is crucial for optimizing user experience. In GA4, you can find this information under the user tech section, specifically in the tech details report. By default, this report shows the breakdown by browser, but you can easily switch to device categories to explore data on desktop, mobile, and tablet usage. Saving this report as a custom version can save you time in future analyses.

8. Exploring Conversion Metrics in GA4

Tracking conversions and understanding customer journeys are essential for measuring the success of your marketing efforts. In GA4, you can explore conversion metrics under the advertising section. The model comparison report allows you to compare different attribution models, while the conversion paths report shows you the touchpoints along the customer journey Based on the selected model.

It's important to note that when analyzing conversion paths, visually equal sections may represent different percentages of traffic. Pay Attention to the percentages displayed to accurately understand the distribution of early, mid, and late touchpoints.

9. Conclusion

Navigating the GA4 user interface and finding your familiar reports is a matter of familiarizing yourself with the new layout and features. While the changes may seem overwhelming at first, GA4 offers exciting new possibilities for customizing reports and accessing valuable insights. With a little exploration, you'll soon find your way around GA4 and harness its power to drive data-informed decisions.

10. FAQ

Q: Can I still use GA4 if I'm using third-party reporting tools?

A: Absolutely! While GA4 offers powerful reporting capabilities, it's possible to integrate it with third-party reporting tools if you prefer to use them alongside GA4.

Q: Can I create custom reports in GA4?

A: Yes, you can create custom reports in GA4 as well. Under the library section, you can create different collections of reports for easy access. You can also set a custom report as the default snapshot when opening GA4.

Q: Are my custom reports from UA compatible with GA4?

A: Custom reports created in UA are not directly compatible with GA4. However, you can recreate similar reports in GA4 using the new interface and customization options available.

Q: Can I access the same reports in both UA and GA4?

A: While some reports may have similar functionalities in both UA and GA4, there are differences in the interface and available metrics. It's recommended to familiarize yourself with GA4 and explore its unique features to make the most of the new reporting capabilities.

Q: Are there any limitations to using GA4 over UA?

A: While GA4 offers a Simplified and streamlined interface, it might not provide the same level of granularity and extensive reporting options as UA. However, GA4 continues to evolve, and Google is actively working on adding new features and improving existing ones.

Q: How can I learn more about GA4 and its reporting features?

A: There are numerous online resources, tutorials, and videos available that provide in-depth insights into GA4 and its reporting capabilities. You can also explore the GA4 Help Center and the Google Analytics community for further guidance.