Maximizing Your Analytics Insights: How to Recreate Core Universal Analytics Reports in Google Analytics 4

Introduction to Universal Analytics and Google Analytics 4

Google Analytics has been around since 2005, and it has gone through several updates and changes over the years. The latest version of Google Analytics is Google Analytics 4, which was launched in October 2020. Google Analytics 4 is the successor to Universal Analytics, which was the previous version of Google Analytics.

Universal Analytics is based on tracking sessions and pageviews, while Google Analytics 4 is based on user-centric tracking. Google Analytics 4 also has a new data model and uses machine learning to provide better insights.

Understanding the Behavior Report in Universal Analytics

The Behavior report in Universal Analytics shows you how users interact with your website. It provides insights into the most popular pages, the number of pageviews, and bounce rates. The Behavior report also shows you the top exit pages, the time users spend on your website, and the number of sessions.

The Behavior report is split into several sections, including Behavior Flow, Site Content, Site Speed, and Site Search. The Behavior Flow report shows you the path users take on your website from the entry page to the exit page. The Site Content report shows you the most popular pages on your website, while the Site Speed report shows you how fast your website loads. The Site Search report shows you what users are searching for on your website.

Differences between Universal Analytics and Google Analytics 4 Behavior Reports

The Behavior report in Google Analytics 4 is different from the Behavior report in Universal Analytics. The Behavior report in Google Analytics 4 focuses on user engagement, retention, and acquisition. It provides insights into user behavior, such as the number of active users, the retention rate, and user engagement.

Google Analytics 4 also has a new report called the Engagement Report, which shows you the engagement rate, session duration, and other engagement metrics. The Engagement report also shows you the top engagement events, such as clicks, scrolls, and video plays.

How to Find Your Analytics Tracking Code in Google Analytics 4

To use Google Analytics 4, you need to install the tracking code on your website. The tracking code is a small piece of code that you add to your website's header or footer.

To find your analytics tracking code in Google Analytics 4, follow these steps:

• Sign in to your Google Analytics 4 account.

• Click on the Admin button in the bottom left corner of the screen.

• In the Property column, click on Data Streams.

• Click on the Add Stream button.

• Follow the instructions to set up a new data stream.

• Once you have set up a new data stream, you will see the tracking code.

Which Sequence of Steps to Follow to Recreate Core Universal Analytics Reports in Google Analytics 4

To recreate core Universal Analytics reports in Google Analytics 4, follow these steps:

• Sign in to your Google Analytics 4 account.

• Click on the Analysis button in the left-hand menu.

• Select the Analysis Hub.

• Choose the type of report you want to create, such as the Behavior report.

• Customize the report by adding dimensions and metrics.

• Save the report so you can access it again later.

You can also use the Behavior Sheets feature in Google Analytics 4 to create custom reports. Behavior Sheets allow you to create reports using a spreadsheet-like interface. You can add dimensions and metrics to the Behavior Sheets to create custom reports.

Conclusion

Google Analytics is a powerful tool that can provide you with valuable insights into your website's performance. By recreating core Universal Analytics reports in Google Analytics 4, you can continue to track website traffic, user behavior, and other essential metrics. 

Remember, to use Google Analytics 4, you need to install the tracking code on your website. If you're looking for a way to save your Universal Analytics data, try Analytics Safe. With Analytics Safe, you can store your Universal Analytics data securely and access it whenever you need it.