As we all know this is the last year of universal analytics (UA) and the final date is 1st July 2023. And after this date, the platform which comes into being is Google Analytics 4 (GA4). Since October 14, 2020, GA4 has been the default option for new Google Analytics properties, but marketers and developers have not rushed to switch from UA to GA4. 

GA4 works very differently as compared to universal analytics. It offers amazing valuable features. But it has faced some backlash for perceived bugs and the lack of some amazing features from UA.

Before moving towards the differences and advantages first, we should know what exactly GA4 is and how it is changing the game.

What is Google Analytics 4?

In simple words, GA4 helps you to measure the traffic and also engagement all around your websites. It also helps to analyze data. It will provide deep details about customers and how they interact with your website.

Many business owners are not really happy about the switch to GA4. We agree change is hard but mark my words this change is going to be very beneficial for your business. It provides you with massive and meaningful data. You can easily track what is more important for you not what Google thinks might be important for you.

So read along to know the key differences between these two platforms.

6 key differences between GA4 and UA

1) A changed reporting interface:

The reporting interface is different in google analytics 4 vs Universal Analytics.

The majority of the reports have been renamed or replaced with some other new things. Some new reports in GA4 are Monetization, retention, and Engagement. 

There’s a different measurement model in GA4 as compared to UA.

And in universal analytics, all reports are in five main categories.

• Audience
• Realtime
• Behavior 
• Conversions
• Acquisition

 These all categories are on the main dashboard of GA4.

2) New measurement model:

Another major key difference is in universal analytics uses a measurement model to track data which is based on sessions and pageviews. Whereas GA$ uses an event-based model for data tracking. Sessions link data to the individual and track them when they interact with your website. But the event data works on specific actions.

In GA4 there are also some enhanced measurement features such as you can easily set a outbound link click.

And there’s a difficult setup in UA for tracking code to configure link scroll tracking and click tracking.

3) Zero Bounce Rate and New Reporting Metrics

You will be provided new metrics with new reports in GA4. Also, there’s no bounce rate in it.

Now you must be thinking what is bounce rate these are the users who don’t even interact with your website and leave such as they don’t click the link, purchase a product, or signing up newsletter. 

There’s an engaged session per user in GA4. This highlights how many folks interact with your site.

This is a session that shows that even if a user remains on a page for 10 seconds or more it will prompt one or more events.

4) Doesn’t Track Form Conversions

Form conversions are different in GA4 and in UA. They are very beneficial for businesses. This helps you to build a strong relationship with the audience through feedback, and resolving queries. But in GA4 you require a custom code to start with the form conversion tracking. But remember a tiny mistake can destroy the whole game of tracking and it will be very destructive for your website.

5) Exporting to BigQuery is free with GA 4:

With GA4, BigQuery data exportation is free. but in UA it needs a Google Analytics 360 subscription. It means sending raw data to BigQuery is available now. It is providing with more AI-driven features and advanced analysis capabilities. In a nutshell, GA4 allows users to export data for free to BigQuery for boosting data integration. You can also run SQL queries on Google Analytics 4.

6) Google tag manager: the game changer you won’t ignore:

The GA4 tag manager allows you to flow data from the website to Google Analytics. In GA universal there’s no use of google tag manager to perform basic functions. Such as you can create landing page conversions in google analytics.

But it is not possible in GA4 now. There are event-based goals in GA4 so it is necessary to understand google tag manager.

It is ideal for advanced data collection. For example, you can it for the creation of custom events and dimensions.

WRAP UP!

Hope you got all the demanding information through this blog. This blog covers what exactly Google Analytics 4 is and also its key differences.