Publishers and website owners have relied on Google Analytics 4 as their primary analytics tool since October 2020. Most experts assumed that Universal Analytics would continue to exist for at least three to five more years. The model has also undergone numerous updates and modifications. However, users had the option of switching from Universal analytics to GA4. Google declared it would be retiring Universal Analytics (UA) last year. Beginning on July 1 2023, UA will stop acquiring new information regarding your website or app. The users cannot access their Universal Analytics reports or use the API to interact with their analytics data.

It is imperative that you fully grasp what Analytics 4 delivers and how it differs from Universal Analytics if you use Google Analytics but have not upgraded yet. Fortunately, before Universal Analytics stops working, you have plenty of time to familiarize yourself with the service, migrate from Universal analytics to GA4, and make modifications.

How To Migrate From Universal Analytics To GA4?

If you are used to Universal Analytics or GA3, you must migrate data from Universal analytics to GA4 as soon as possible. Your transition and upgrade of Universal analytics to GA4 will go much more smoothly with some quick actions right away. Enlist the measurements you want to track with the GA4 ID, and get started.

• Step 1: Adding A New Property 

Since GA4 employs a different data model than ‘Add a new property’ to your Google Analytics account. Therefore, you must establish a new property and set it up to import Universal analytics data to GA4.

Go into your account and select “Admin”. Click “Create Property” from the drop-down menu. Choose GA4, then adhere to the instructions to complete the creation of your new property.

• Step 2: Installing The Global Site Tag 

Once your new property has been built, you should install the Global Site Tag (gtag.js). A JavaScript tagging framework called “gtag.js” allows you to gather and send data to Google Analytics.  

The Admin part of GA is where you can locate the code for your new property. Follow Admin > Property > Tracking Info > Global Site Tag. 

• Step 3: Make Sure The Tag Is Operational

Ensure the gtag.js code is operating after installation. Use Google Tag Assistant, a free Chrome extension from Google to carry out the task. Install Tag Assistant, and it will find any Google tags on the page, informing you if they function properly.

• Step 4: Move Your Data Google Analytics Universal To GA4

Import data from Universal analytics to GA4 if you want a comprehensive historical record of your data. Log into your GA account and select Admin > Property > Data Migration to migrate your data. You may then choose which data to move and when you want the migration to occur. However, you cannot migrate all data from Universal analytics to GA4, such as,

• Google Analytics for Firebase
• App + Web Properties
• Segments
• Custom Dimensions
• Custom Metrics
• Currencies

Universal Vs Google Analytics 4

Universal Analytics has been the industry standard for evaluating website performance and user engagement for almost ten years. It has been a crucial tool for evaluating the effectiveness of keyword strategies. The platform, however, was primarily created for a time when most website interactions took place on desktop computers. Universal Analytics does not provide a uniform experience for properties across all channels, even though it can measure mobile and app metrics as well. Google Analytics 4 was a step up to address the issue and raise privacy standards for data collection, necessitating a switch from Universal analytics to GA4.

• Differences In the Data Model

With the flat data architecture employed by Universal Analytics, each website interaction is represented as a separate hit. It is challenging to measure how users interact with your site using this method, especially over time. GA4 proposes a hierarchical data model that employs events as the basis for gauging user activities to overcome these restrictions.  

• Data Gathering

Migration from Google Universal Analytics to GA4 makes tracking more precise and understandable than ever before. The method used to gather data has seen one of the biggest modifications. Universal Analytics collects data via a centralized server that transmits data using tracking codes. It implies that data loss is possible during server downtime or improper code implementation.

• Improved Privacy

GA4 never gathers personally identifying information (PII); all data is anonymised. In contrast, Universal Analytics can collect PII, including names, email addresses, and phone numbers. For instance, data privacy measures in Universal Analytics are opt-in, which most websites will choose to ignore. Privacy protections are enabled by default in GA4. So, IP address anonymization is always on and cannot be disabled in GA4.

Say Hello To Upgrades And Convert Universal Analytics To GA4 

Moving from Universal analytics to GA4 enables you to use all the new cutting-edge features required for easy blog monitoring and increasing the value of your data. As we gear up for the future of digital analytics, we have the unique opportunity to usher in and embrace the next generation of Google Analytics and to bid our final farewells to what we have all come to know, love, and occasionally despise about Universal Analytics.