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How to Set Up Google Analytics 4 Step by Step

January 4, 2026 · 7 min read
Google Analytics

Google Analytics 4 (GA4) is the latest version of Google’s widely used analytics platform, designed to provide deeper insights into user behavior and improve marketing strategies. Setting up GA4 correctly is crucial for businesses to track website performance, understand customer journeys, and make data-driven decisions.

In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through the process of setting up Google Analytics 4 from scratch. Whether you’re migrating from Universal Analytics or setting up GA4 for the first time, this guide will help you get started and optimize your tracking.

Why Google Analytics 4 Is Important for Your Business

Before diving into the setup process, it’s important to understand the significance of GA4. Unlike Universal Analytics, GA4 offers a more advanced way of tracking user interactions across multiple platforms, such as websites and mobile apps. GA4 uses a flexible event-based data model that allows businesses to measure interactions in greater detail.

Key Benefits of GA4:

  • Unified cross-platform tracking: Track user activity on both websites and mobile apps seamlessly.
  • Advanced event tracking: Measure custom events, such as clicks, scrolls, and video views, to gain deeper insights.
  • Enhanced reporting: GA4’s built-in reports are more customizable, allowing you to focus on metrics that matter most to your business.
  • Improved machine learning: GA4 uses machine learning to provide predictive insights and help optimize marketing efforts.

Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up Google Analytics 4

Now that you understand the benefits of GA4, let’s jump into the step-by-step setup process. We’ll cover everything from creating your GA4 property to configuring event tracking.

Step 1: Create a Google Analytics Account

If you don’t already have a Google Analytics account, you’ll need to create one first.

  1. Go to Google Analytics: Navigate to Google Analytics and sign in with your Google account.
  2. Create an Account: Click on the “Admin” button at the bottom left of the page, then select “Create Account.”
  3. Enter Account Details: Provide an account name and set data-sharing preferences.
  4. Set Up Property: After creating your account, you’ll need to set up a property. This is where all your website and app data will be stored.

Step 2: Set Up Google Analytics 4 Property

When creating a new property, GA4 is the default option. Here’s how to set it up:

  1. Choose GA4 Property: After selecting “Create Property,” you’ll be given the option to select GA4 or Universal Analytics. Choose GA4 for the latest features.
  2. Enter Property Details: Enter the name of your property (e.g., your website’s name) and select your time zone and currency.
  3. Enable Data Streams: GA4 uses “data streams” to collect data. You’ll need to configure data streams for your website or app.
    • Web Stream: For a website, select “Web” and enter your website’s URL. Then click “Create Stream.”
    • App Stream: If you’re tracking an app, choose “iOS” or “Android” and follow the instructions to set up the stream.

Step 3: Add the GA4 Tracking Code to Your Website

Once your GA4 property is set up, it’s time to install the tracking code on your website.

  1. Find Your Measurement ID: After creating the data stream, you’ll be given a “Measurement ID” (e.g., G-XXXXXXXXX). Copy this ID.
  2. Install the Tracking Code: Paste the provided tracking code into the <head> section of every page on your website. If you’re using a CMS like WordPress, you can use plugins such as Google Tag Manager or GA Google Analytics to simplify this process.

Step 4: Set Up Google Tag Manager (Optional)

If you prefer a more flexible way of managing your tracking code, consider using Google Tag Manager (GTM). This tool allows you to manage all your website tags in one place, including GA4.

  1. Create a GTM Account: Go to Google Tag Manager and create an account.
  2. Add a New Container: Choose your container type (usually “Web”) and enter the URL of your website.
  3. Install GTM Code: Similar to GA4, you’ll need to add the GTM container code to your website’s <head> and <body> sections.
  4. Create a GA4 Tag in GTM: In GTM, create a new tag and select “Google Analytics: GA4 Configuration.” Enter your GA4 Measurement ID, then set the trigger to “All Pages.”

Step 5: Configure Events in GA4

One of the most powerful features of GA4 is its ability to track custom events. You can set up various events to track user actions, such as clicks, form submissions, and video views.

  1. Use Automatically Collected Events: GA4 automatically tracks some events, such as page views, scrolls, and outbound clicks. You can see these events in the “Events” section of your GA4 property.
  2. Create Custom Events: For actions that GA4 doesn’t track by default, you can create custom events.
    • Go to Events in the GA4 interface, then click “Create Event.”
    • Enter the event name and conditions (e.g., when a button is clicked).
  3. Set Up Conversions: You can mark certain events as conversions (e.g., when a user completes a purchase or submits a form). To do this, go to the “Conversions” tab in GA4 and enable the events you want to track as conversions.

Step 6: Link Google Analytics 4 with Google Ads (Optional)

To get the most out of your GA4 setup, link it to your Google Ads account for more detailed reporting and better ad targeting.

  1. Go to Admin > Product Linking: In GA4, navigate to the Admin section and click on “Product Linking.”
  2. Select Google Ads: Choose “Google Ads” and click “Link.”
  3. Choose Your Google Ads Account: Select the Google Ads account you want to link and follow the prompts to complete the linking process.

Step 7: Explore GA4 Reports

Once GA4 is fully set up, you can explore a variety of reports that provide insights into your website’s performance. Some key reports include:

  • Realtime Report: View live activity on your website.
  • Acquisition Report: Understand how users are finding your site.
  • Engagement Report: Analyze user behavior on your site.
  • Monetization Report: Track eCommerce transactions and revenue.

You can also customize reports to focus on specific metrics relevant to your business goals.

Conclusion

Setting up Google Analytics 4 correctly is essential for tracking user behavior and optimizing your website’s performance. By following the step-by-step instructions in this guide, you’ll be able to implement GA4 effectively, set up event tracking, and unlock powerful insights into how users interact with your site.

As GA4 evolves, be sure to keep your setup updated and explore new features that Google introduces. The more data you collect, the better you can understand your audience and make data-driven decisions that drive business growth.

FAQs

1. What is the difference between GA4 and Universal Analytics?
GA4 uses an event-based data model, offering more flexibility in tracking user interactions compared to Universal Analytics, which focuses on pageviews and sessions.

2. Do I need to migrate from Universal Analytics to GA4?
While Universal Analytics will continue to work until 2023, it’s recommended to set up GA4 alongside it to start gathering data in the new platform.

3. How can I track eCommerce transactions in GA4?
You can set up eCommerce tracking in GA4 by configuring enhanced measurement and custom events for transactions.

4. How do I set up goals in GA4?
In GA4, you set up “Conversions” instead of traditional goals. Simply mark the events you want to track as conversions.

5. Can I use Google Tag Manager with GA4?
Yes, Google Tag Manager is fully compatible with GA4 and can be used to manage your tracking codes more efficiently.

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