If you’re using Universal Analytics and haven’t already switched over to the new GA4, we’ll give you the necessary info on what needs to be done.<\/p>\n
Plus, we’ll also talk about some of the best GA4 features and how it now easily integrates with our free Beehive plugin.<\/strong><\/p>\n Continue reading, or jump ahead using these links:<\/p>\n Since its inception, Beehive<\/a> has been tightly integrated with Google Analytics – and as of the plugin\u2019s newest release, now caters to GA4.<\/strong><\/p>\n It adds a customizable GA dashboard to WordPress, so tracking user behavior can be done from one convenient location.<\/p>\n As already mentioned, connecting Google Analytics 4 to Beehive is quick and easy.<\/p>\n There are two different ways to connect:<\/p>\n Once connected, Beehive makes all of your most important stats available to you at a glance – from your most-visited pages to your most-popular referral platforms, and more.<\/p>\n Want a full overview of the plugin’s most powerful tools and features? <\/strong><\/p>\n Read our how to get the most out of Beehive<\/a> article.<\/p>\n Now that you’re all set with your Beehive integration, let’s cover some of the best features GA4 brings to the table, that Universal Analytics does not.<\/p>\n The biggest reason Google is discontinuing Universal Analytics<\/a> is that UA was originally built to report-on and track independent sessions, rather than considering the multiple touch points visitors will have with any given website.<\/p>\n Google thought this method of measurement and reporting was outdated, and it’s where Google Analytics 4 comes into the picture.<\/p>\n Because GA4 on the other hand, runs across the web, apps, and doesn’t rely exclusively on cookies. It also uses an event-based model to deliver more accurate, user-based reporting.<\/p>\n What is an event-based model?<\/strong><\/p>\n According to Google: “An event allows you to measure a distinct user interaction on a website or app.”<\/em><\/p>\n For example: Loading a page, clicking a link, and completing a purchase – these are all interactions you can measure with events.<\/p>\n Finally GA4 is a lot more privacy-focused than UA, for example, it does not store user IP addresses.<\/p>\n Google Analytics 4 is now the default for all new properties created in your Google Analytics account.<\/p>\n And depending on the date you created a GA property, you may or may not need to upgrade it.<\/p>\n More specifically:<\/p>\n But you can also create a new GA4 property from an existing Universal Analytics property and they will be nicely integrated.<\/p>\n If you need help, Google has put together this detailed guide on switching to GA4 and upgrading properties.<\/a><\/p>\n When it comes to button and link tracking a big downside with Universal Analytics is that it tracks data based on pageviews<\/em> and requires the help of Google Tag Manager <\/a>– a tool that can be time-consuming and complicated for newer users.<\/p>\n GA4 on the other hand, is based on entirely different tracking protocols and is built to handle event tracking out-of-the-box.<\/p>\n Some events will still require the help of GTM to track properly, but most can be handled directly with GA4 (e.g., link click tracking).<\/p>\n The connection with Data Studio<\/a> is a critical element for GA users.<\/p>\n GA4 connects with Data Studio in exactly the same way that UA does. Even better, new GA4 reports have more data visualization options in Data Studio.<\/p>\n If you want more reporting options you can also use BigQuery<\/a>, which is freely included with GA4 and can take your insights to the next level.<\/p>\n Getting insights into the client journey and funneling that into the growth of a business is very powerful information to have at your fingertips.<\/p>\n Unleash the power of your web and app data from the industry leader in analytics, by putting GA4 directly in your WordPress dashboard with Beehive.<\/p>\n Install Beehive for free<\/a>, or sign up for the free WPMU DEV plan<\/a>, which includes Beehive, plus a whole suite of WP plugins and site management tools.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Universal Analytics is out and Google Analytics 4 is the way forward. In keeping with the times, our free Beehive plugin now integrates with GA4. Learn more about the integration and the advantages of Google’s new analytics overlord. 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<\/a>How To Connect Google Analytics 4 To Beehive<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"Beehive](\"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/003-beehive-stats-UI-GA4.png\")
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<\/a>Google Analytics 4 Vs. Universal Analytics – What You Need To Know<\/h2>\n
Why is Google Sunsetting Universal Analytics?<\/h3>\n
![\"GA4](\"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/007-GA4-reports.png\")
Upgrading Universal Analytics Properties To Google Analytics 4<\/h3>\n
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Tracking Link Clicks in Google Analytics 4 Vs. Universal Analytics<\/h3>\n
![\"Enhanced](\"https:\/\/wpmudev.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/002-GA4-events-stream-details.png\")
Does Google Analytics 4 work with Data Studio?<\/h3>\n
A summary of the key GA4 features and differences:<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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<\/a>Putting Google Analytics 4 to Work for You<\/h2>\n