What is Google Analytics 4?
Google Analytics 4 (GA4) is Google's latest analytics platform that replaced Universal Analytics in July 2023. It tracks user behaviour across websites and apps using an event-based data model — every interaction is an "event" rather than a page view.
GA4 gives you:
- Real-time visitor data
- Traffic sources (organic, paid, social, direct)
- User demographics and location
- Pages viewed and time spent
- Conversion tracking (form submissions, purchases)
- Funnel analysis
Step 1: Create a GA4 Property
1. Go to [analytics.google.com](https://analytics.google.com)
2. Sign in with your Google account
3. Click **Admin** (gear icon, bottom left)
4. Under **Account**, click **Create Account** (or choose existing)
5. Click **Create Property**
6. Enter your property name (e.g., "My Business Website")
7. Choose your country (India), currency (INR), and industry
8. Click **Next** → Choose **Web** → Enter your website URL
9. Click **Create Stream**
Step 2: Install the Tracking Code
### For WordPress
1. Install **"Site Kit by Google"** plugin (free, official Google plugin)
2. Follow the setup wizard — it connects GA4, Search Console, and AdSense automatically
3. No code changes needed
Alternatively, use **"MonsterInsights"** or add the code manually via a child theme's `functions.php`.
### For All Other Websites (Manual)
Copy the `gtag.js` tracking code from GA4:
1. In GA4 Admin → Data Streams → your stream → **View tag instructions**
2. Copy the `<script>` block provided
3. Paste it into the `<head>` section of every page on your website
```html
<!-- Google tag (gtag.js) -->
<script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-XXXXXXXXXX"></script>
<script>
window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || [];
function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);}
gtag('js', new Date());
gtag('config', 'G-XXXXXXXXXX');
</script>
```
Replace `G-XXXXXXXXXX` with your actual Measurement ID.
### Using Google Tag Manager (Recommended for Flexibility)
If you already use Google Tag Manager (GTM):
1. In GTM, create a new **Tag** → **Google Analytics: GA4 Configuration**
2. Enter your Measurement ID
3. Set trigger to **All Pages**
4. Publish the container
This lets you manage all tracking from one place.
Step 3: Verify Installation
1. Open your website in Chrome
2. In GA4, go to **Reports → Realtime**
3. You should see yourself as "1 user in last 30 minutes"
Alternatively, install the **"Tag Assistant"** Chrome extension from Google to verify the tag fires correctly.
Step 4: Set Up Conversions
Tell GA4 what actions matter to your business:
1. Go to **Admin → Events**
2. Find events like `generate_lead` (form submissions) or `purchase`
3. Toggle **"Mark as conversion"**
For custom conversions (like a specific button click), you need Google Tag Manager.
Privacy Compliance (India & GDPR)
If you have European visitors, you need a cookie consent banner. Services like **Cookiebot** or **CookieYes** integrate with GA4 to only load tracking after consent is given.
Check back in 24–48 hours for your first batch of data to appear in GA4 reports.