GA4 – Have you made the leap
This had to be written, there is too much pressure and we are severely hoping the main readership of this blog is our own client base. We’re busy, we get that, and so are you.
But Google is pushing ahead. We’ve made small noises over the last year about Google’s plan to remove access to Google Analytics as we know it with an all-new version known as GA4. If you haven’t been getting the emails please check your Spam folder.
In short, Google ‘Universal’ Analytics breaks EU rules on Privacy and Data Tracking. Google knows too much about you and more to the point Google UA relies on Cookies to work. As Browsers and Devices become more savvy they are increasingly blocking Cookies and that means the statistical data Google shows you in Google Analytics is potentially skewed.
Solution – an all-new version of Google Analytics.
GA4 is more complicated and is also potentially far more flexible. In truth the power of GA4 may not be with normal mortals logging in, but instead with the 3rd party apps that can hook in and utilise GA4 for your benefit. Some would say this is a good thing, as it means you might actually use your data for your benefit. Others suggest, as we have done in the past, it is becoming increasingly harder for a website owner to know what is going on on their website. Instead, Website Owners are being ‘told’ what to do.
There’s a difference, less thinking for you as a business owner. But be in no doubt the more actionables that are created the more likely Google or a 3rd party is going to want to be compensated for their efforts. There will be a cost.
And it starts with us. GA4 is complicated… at the moment we’re implementing GA4 for all our Google Ads and SEO clients, but if you want to take advantage of GA4 and keep your stats on Google working properly, you do need to contact us and go through the available options.
In days gone by we just installed Google Analytics on every website we ever made. Easy… but the future may well be different, GA4 needs to be set up correctly to be of any value whatsoever.
I think that is it for this month. Contact us directly if you want help with GA4.