--- title: How to set up a Google Analytics 4 (GA4) property from scratch | Bidnamic US description: Now's the time to make the switch to Google Analytics 4. Follow our guide on how to get started with GA4 and start reaping the rewards. image: https://www.bidnamic.com/hubfs/set%20up%20GA4%20featured%20image.webp --- English - United States # How to set up a Google Analytics 4 (GA4) property from scratch ## Contents [Benefits of using Google Analytics 4 (GA4)](https://www.bidnamic.com/en-us/set-up-google-analytics-4#benefits) [Is GA4 free?](https://www.bidnamic.com/en-us/set-up-google-analytics-4#free) [How do you set up GA4?](https://www.bidnamic.com/en-us/set-up-google-analytics-4#how-to-setup)  [How to create a new GA4 property](https://www.bidnamic.com/en-us/set-up-google-analytics-4#new-property)  [How to set up data collection for GA4](https://www.bidnamic.com/en-us/set-up-google-analytics-4#data-collection)  [Adding a tag to a website builder or CMS-hosted website](https://www.bidnamic.com/en-us/set-up-google-analytics-4#website-builder)  [Adding the Google tag manually to your webpages](https://www.bidnamic.com/en-us/set-up-google-analytics-4#manual-tag)  [Adding the Google tag via Google Tag Manager](https://www.bidnamic.com/en-us/set-up-google-analytics-4#google-tag-manager)  [Does Shopify support GA4?](https://www.bidnamic.com/en-us/set-up-google-analytics-4#shopify)  [WooCommerce GA4 integration](https://www.bidnamic.com/en-us/set-up-google-analytics-4#woocommerce)  [Installing GA4 on WordPress](https://www.bidnamic.com/en-us/set-up-google-analytics-4#wordpress) [How do you know if GA4 is working properly?](https://www.bidnamic.com/en-us/set-up-google-analytics-4#is-it-working) [Finding search terms on GA4](https://www.bidnamic.com/en-us/set-up-google-analytics-4#search-terms) [Finding bounce rate on GA4](https://www.bidnamic.com/en-us/set-up-google-analytics-4#bounce-rate) [Does GA4 use cookies?](https://www.bidnamic.com/en-us/set-up-google-analytics-4#cookies) ## What’s the benefit of using Google Analytics 4? Google Analytics 4 (GA4) is Google’s newest evolution of Analytics which is set to replace Universal Analytics (UA) by July 2023 (or July 2024 for Google 360 users). Unlike its predecessor UA, GA4 allows users to track both website and mobile apps on one platform. GA4 uses event-based data that helps users understand the customer journey, while also including privacy controls like cookieless measurement.  One of the major benefits of GA4 is the use of automation and machine learning, which helps you gain valuable and unique insights into your data which will help in your optimization efforts. ## Is Google Analytics 4 free? Google Analytics 4 is completely free to use for all users. ## How do you set up Google Analytics 4? Setting up GA4 for your website and apps involves two steps: creating a GA4 property and setting up data collection. We’ll go through both steps here. ### How to create a new Google Analytics 4 property For this, you’ll need to have already gone ahead and created a free Analytics account. You also need to have the Editor role enabled, which is automatically given if you created the account yourself. Follow these steps: 1. From the **Admin** section, go to the **Property** section on the right and click **Create Property**. 2. Give your property a name and specify your currency and reporting time zone. 3. Click **Next** and select both your industry and business size. 4. **Next** again, then select how you want to use GA4 - one example of this is “generate more leads”. 5. Hit **create** and accept Google’s Terms of Service. 6. You can then add a data stream, which can either be an iOS app, Android app, or Web. ### How to set up data collection for Google Analytics 4 Now that you have your new GA4 property, you’ll want to set up data collection so you can start seeing some data. For this, there are 3 different methods: #### Adding a tag to a website builder or CMS-hosted website Depending on the CSM you use, they may have integration with GA4. If this is the case, it’s just a case of adding your Google Tag ID into the field your CMS provides. To find your Google Tag ID: 1. In your Google Analytics account, go to **Admin.** 2. From the **Property** column, click on **Data streams**. 3. Select the data stream you’re trying to get the ID for 4. In the **Google tag** section, select **Configure tag settings**. 5. You’ll see a **Your Google tag** section - copy the ID (it’ll start with either **G-** or **AW-**). If your CMS or website builder doesn’t provide native integration, you’ll need to paste your Google tag into your website using the available HTML feature: 1. From **Admin** in Google Analytics, head to **Property** and select your property. 2. Click **Data streams** and then **Web**. 3. Select the data stream for your website. 4. Under the **Google tag** heading, click on **View tag instructions**. 5. Select **Install manually**. You’ll be met with a JavaScript snippet containing your account’s Google tag - you need the full section of code which starts with: And ends with: Paste the whole code snippet into your custom HTML feature. #### Adding the Google tag manually to your webpages For this method, you’ll need access to the HTML for your web pages. You’ll need the JavaScript snippet containing your Google tag - take a look at the above section to find this. Once you’ve got your snippet copied, you need to paste it immediately after the on each page of your website. #### Adding the Google tag via Google Tag Manager This method involves a few different steps which include setting up and installing Tag Manager. We recommend following [Google’s official guidance](https://support.google.com/tagmanager/answer/9442095?sjid=14517847605384599929-EU) on this method to ensure you’re successfully collecting data. ## Does Shopify support Google Analytics 4? Shopify supports GA4 integration. We have a full guide on [how to set up GA4 on Shopify](https://www.bidnamic.com/en-us/google-analytics-4-on-shopify) available. Looking to integrate Google Shopping with your Shopify store? [Start here.](https://www.bidnamic.com/en-us/using-shopify-with-google-shopping) ## WooCommerce Google Analytics 4 integration If you use WooCommerce, it’s possible to link your store to GA4. This can help you gain valuable insights into your store’s performance that you can use to help optimize your ecommerce strategy. This is how you can install GA4 in WooCommerce: 1. From WooCommerce, go to **My account** and then **Downloads** - download the **WooCommerce Google Analytics Integration** extension. 2. Head to **Plugins**, then **Add New**. 3. Select the .zip file you downloaded from step one. 4. Click **Install Now** and then **Activate**. 5. To complete the set-up process, go to **Settings** and then **Integrations**. You’ll see **Google Analytics** listed - click on this and fill in the settings. 6. You’ll need to add your Google Tag ID (check the section on how to find this above). 7. You also need to add the domain for your site. If you're new to using Google Shopping with WooCommerce, [check out our guide.](https://www.bidnamic.com/en-us/google-shopping-integration-for-woocommerce) ## How to install Google Analytics 4 on WordPress Integrating GA4 with your WordPress site is a simple process and one worth doing. For this, you’ll need to have created your GA4 property. 1. Once you’ve created your property and added your data stream, you’ll be presented with the option to either “Install with a website builder or CMS” or “Install manually” - click the first section. 2. Under the **Supported platforms** header, you’ll see **Site Kit plugin** with the WordPress logo. Click this and you’ll be given your tag ID. 3. Copy the tag ID you’re given. 4. On your WordPress website, go to **Tools**, **Marketing**, and then **Traffic**. 5. Paste the tag ID into the **Google Analytics Measurement ID** field and click on **Save settings**. Your WordPress website will now be connected to GA4 and data will start being sent to Google. ## How do you know if Google Analytics 4 is working? After you’ve set up GA4, you might want to make sure that data’s being collected correctly. Google suggests two methods of doing this: a Realtime report and a DebugView report. Both reports support web and app data streams. ### Realtime reports After you’ve followed the steps to set up your GA4 property and install it on your web pages, you’ll see any collected data in the **Realtime** report section. Seeing data here is a sign that Google is correctly collecting data. Realtime reports create comparisons in a specific data stream and display user activity during the past 30 minutes. ### DebugView report If you go into the **DebugView** report, you’ll be able to monitor events from both a browser or mobile device. This method’s most often used by developers hoping to confirm that they’re successfully collecting data while setting up events on a website or app. DebugView reports show user activity during periods longer than thirty minutes. ## Finding search terms on Google Analytics 4 To help you optimize your ecommerce efforts, it’s important to understand what visitors are searching for via your search feature. ### Search terms in standard reports In standard reports on GA4, you can see *view_search_results*. This will tell you how many people have used your search feature. To find the terms, follow these steps: 1. From your Analytics account, go to **Configure**. 2. Click on **Custom definitions** and then **Create custom dimensions**. 3. You’ll need to give it a name (**Dimension name) **- this is the label you’ll see in your reports. 4. Under **Scope** select **Event**. 5. The **Description** field can be left empty. 6. Underneath, the **Event parameter** field needs to say *search_term*. 7. Wait for 24 hours, then go to **Reports** -> **Engagement** -> **Events** -> **view_search_results**. 8. You’ll then be able to see how many times each search term was used. ### Search terms in a customized standard report 1. From your Analytics account, go to **Reports**. 2. Click on **Engagement** and then **Events** before clicking the pencil icon. 3. Select **Dimensions** and remove **Event name**. 4. Add a **Search term** dimension to this field and hit **Apply**. 5. Head to **Metrics** and keep the following: event count, users, and event count per user. Click **Apply**. 6. Click **Save** then **Save as a new report**. Give your report a name, for example, “Search terms”. 7. Go back to **Reports**, select any report, and click on **Library**. 8. Find the **Life Cycle** collection. 9. Click **Edit collection**. 10. From the column on the right, move the “Search Terms” report to the **Engagement** section before hitting **Save** and **Save changes to the current collection**. Once complete, you’ll have a customized report containing the search terms being used in your search feature. ## Finding bounce rate on Google Analytics 4 In UA, bounce rate was the percentage of sessions that contained a single page view. The bounce rate was divided by sessions to provide you with a percentage. However, GA4 measures the bounce rate differently.  The bounce rate is calculated by dividing the number of bounces (which Google now classifies as non-engaged sessions - for example, if somebody spends 10 seconds on your webpage without triggering an engagement) by the number of sessions, multiplied by 100 to get a percentage. Google defines “non-engaged sessions” as a session that lasted less than 10 seconds, only viewed one page, or didn’t trigger any events. Google changed the calculation in GA4 to account for the way in which we interact with webpages being different. Websites or apps are often more complex than they used to be, meaning engaged sessions were counting as bounces incorrectly. Here’s how to view your bounce rate: 1. From your Analytics account, head to **Reports**. 2. Click **Pages & Screens**. 3. There’ll be a pencil icon on the right-hand side of the page - click on this. 4. Click on **Metrics** and then **Add metric**. 5. Under the drop-down menu, you’ll see **Bounce rate**. Select this and then click **Apply**. 6. The bounce rate will now be included in your reports once you’ve hit **Save**. ## Does Google Analytics 4 use cookies? GA4 uses first-party cookies which are GDPR compliant. This was done as a response to the gradual phasing out of third-party cookies.  Google attempts to fill gaps in data with machine learning and modeling, something they define as “blended data”. Instead of cookies, GA4 tracks user IDs. User IDs allow you to associate identifiers with users so you can connect and analyze their behavior across different sessions, and also different devices. With user IDs, you can compare signed-in users and not signed-in users, view user exploration, and create remarketing audiences. Sadly, this has limitations as a user ID can only be generated on a website that features a log-in function where a user submits an email address to gain access. If a user doesn’t log in, it’s difficult to gain accurate customer behavior information. Are you missing out? Speak to one of our Google Shopping specialists [![Book a demo](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4181173/21d4eb9c-4e83-4234-9c0c-b21a07bd5649.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4181173/21d4eb9c-4e83-4234-9c0c-b21a07bd5649) ## Google Shopping best practices and insights Follow us on the channels where you are.                  × Search Or take a look at more of our resources below: [Google Shopping best practices ](https://www.bidnamic.com/en-us/resources/tag/google-shopping-best-practices) [Ecommerce best practices ](https://www.bidnamic.com/en-us/resources/tag/ecommerce-best-practices) [Merchant Center optimization ](https://www.bidnamic.com/en-us/resources/tag/merchant-center-optimization) [Website tracking and optimization ](https://www.bidnamic.com/en-us/resources/tag/website-tracking-and-optimization) [Paid search for Shopify ](https://www.bidnamic.com/en-us/resources/tag/paid-search-for-shopify) [Insights and Reports ](https://www.bidnamic.com/en-us/guides) [Monthly Impressions Index ](https://www.bidnamic.com/en-us/impressions-index) [Benchmark your performance ](https://www.bidnamic.com/en-us/performance-calculator) [Case studies ](https://www.bidnamic.com/en-us/case-studies) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org/", "@type" : "HowTo", "description" : "For this, you’ll need to have already gone ahead and created a free Analytics account. 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