This document contains frequently asked questions that arise when using the Google Analytics 4 / GA4 data source. You can quickly navigate to a particular FAQ by using the table of contents below.
Why is the Google Analytics 4 / GA4 connector listed as "Early Access"?
What is the difference between the Google Analytics and Google Analytics 4 / GA4 connectors?
How can I get started with Google Analytics 4 / GA4?
What do I need to connect to the Google Analytics 4 / GA4 data source?
What permissions do I need in order to connect to Google Analytics 4 / GA4?
Why can’t I see any Cost or Revenue fields populating from Google Analytics 4 / GA4 in TapClicks?
What if I need data from Google Analytics 4 / GA4 that TapClicks doesn’t quite support?
What fields are available for this data source?
What data can I assign to my Tap Client from this data source?
Why are Sessions not matching the Google Analytics 4 UI?
Can I get my Custom Dimensions from Google Analytics 4 into TapClicks?
Can I request DIYs for Google Analytics 4 (GA4-DIY)?
How many Dimensions and Metrics can be included in Google Analytics 4 DIY?
Why don’t I see my DIY data views in the dropdown for a Live Connector widget?
What is the Custom data view versus the DIY data views?
Why is the Google Analytics 4 / GA4 connector listed as "Early Access"?
This is because the APIs that TapClicks use to pull this data from Google are from both Alpha and Beta methods. Based on this, the connector has been listed as Early Access, as there is a risk that these methods are modified on the Google side. As the Google Analytics Data API is moved out of Beta, we will remove the "Early Access" label on the TapClicks side. For reference, Google defines these two stages on its API Documentation website as follows:
Alpha
Features in the Alpha channel are in the early preview stage. While we will try to notify you of upcoming changes, you should expect to encounter breaking changes before the API is publicly released.
Beta
No breaking changes are expected in this channel. Please note that pre-GA products may have limited support, and changes to pre-GA products may not be compatible with other pre-GA versions.
What is the difference between the Google Analytics and Google Analytics 4 / GA4 connectors?
Google Analytics 4 / GA4 is the next-generation measurement solution that is replacing the legacy Google Analytics Universal Analytics (UA) properties used to measure website traffic. UA properties will stop processing data on July 1, 2023 and Google Analytics users are encouraged to prepare to leverage Google Analytics 4 properties.
To check to see if your properties are Universal Analytics or a Google Analytics 4 / GA4 entity, check the property ID. If it has a “UA-” prefix, you have a Universal Analytics property and should consider migration. If the property ID is numbers only, then you are using a GA4 property. For more information, check out this article from Google.
How can I get started with Google Analytics 4 / GA4?
We recommend that you check out the articles that Google has published on this topic:
- Introducing Google Analytics 4 (GA4)
- Make the switch to Google Analytics 4
- Google Analytics 4 training and support
What impact will migrating from Google Analytics Universal Analytics properties to Google Analytics 4 / GA4 properties have on my TapClicks dashboards?
There will be an impact to your reports. The first step you can take is to connect to Google Analytics 4 / GA4 in your dashboard so that data can start flowing in and you can start to think about how to work with this new data.
For a complete review of what actions you should take and what options you have when it comes to reporting, please review this article.
Why can’t I see my Google Analytics properties in the Google Analytics 4 / GA4 data source in TapClicks?
This is because Google Analytics properties can be found under the Google Analytics data source in TapClicks. Go to your Manage Data Sources page and search for Google Analytics. Connect to that tile and you will be able to see your Google Analytics Universal Analytics (UA) properties. For more information about Google Analytics 4 / GA4, check out the following resources:
What do I need to connect to the Google Analytics 4 / GA4 data source?
You will need a username and password with access to a Google Analytics Universal Analytics property to connect to this data source.
What permissions do I need in order to connect to Google Analytics 4 / GA4?
You will need to have at least the "Read & Analyze" level.
Why can’t I see any Cost or Revenue fields populating from Google Analytics 4 / GA4 in TapClicks?
It’s possible that your Google Analytics 4 / GA4 user doesn’t have permission to access these fields. Check with your GA4 administrator to confirm that you should have access to Cost and Revenue metrics.
Once enabled, you may need to reauthenticate your connection to GA4 and update your dashboard to refresh your data in TapClicks for reporting purposes.
What if I need data from Google Analytics 4 / GA4 that TapClicks doesn’t quite support?
There are a few ways to approach this situation.
1] Request a custom GA DIY data view for your Google Analytics 4 / GA4 Data.
- Reach out to your Customer Success Manager or customercare@tapclicks.com to start this process and
- Include the dimensions and metrics you need for reporting, you can request up tp three Dimensions and seven Metrics (calculated fields are not counted against the seven metrics limit, but base values needed for calculations are).
2] Review if the data you need can be accessed through Live Call Widgets.
- Similar to the Smart Connector option above, this will allow you to get to your data fast.
- This path has some limitations on which TapClicks features can be applied to the data set. For example, you cannot currently use Channels with live call data sets.
3] Submit a request to the product team to evaluate bringing this data into the Instant On connector.
- Make sure to include report extract examples so that we can review exactly the Dimensions and Metrics you’re looking for in your dashboard.
- If you need help with this process, feel free to reach out to your Customer Success Manager or customercare@tapclicks.com.
If you prefer, you can create a Smart Connector to bring in this data, but best practice is to expose a GA DIY for continuity with your Google Analytics data source and minimize needs for re-assigning and recreating Dashboards, Calculations and Channels.
What fields are available for this data source?
After you connect a data source to TapClicks, you can use that data in your reports. These fields are organized into groups of similar types of data called Data Views.
For Google Analytics 4, you will find a list of all dimensions and fields available for use in TapClicks, organized by data view, here: Google Analytics 4.
What data can I assign to my Tap Client from this data source?
Level 1 - Property
Level 2 - Can be customized. Reach out to your Customer Success Manager for more information.
Why are Sessions not matching the Google Analytics 4 UI?
Sessions in Google Analytics 4 are different than they were in Universal Analytics. They now don't expire if a user returns to a website from a different source in the middle of an active session. It would still be one session but both traffic sources would be in the same session thus counting a session for both. In the Google Analytics UI, they will show you that session deduped in the total row as they know it is the same.
Due to the fact that TapClicks pulls data daily and stores it the data for Sessions will not match what you are seeing in the Google Analytics 4 UI. Note that due to sessions reporting inaccurately, any metric that uses sessions in its calculation will also be inaccurate due to this. We strongly suggest, that to get as accurate reporting as possible, you leverage our Live Call version of Google Analytics 4 where you are able to customize your view of the data, time frame, and aggregation logic.
Can I get my Custom Dimensions from Google Analytics 4 into TapClicks?
Yes! We can pull in Custom Dimensions via the DIY data view process. If you need a DIY data view, please reach out to your Customer Success Manager or customercare@tapclicks.com.
Can I request DIYs for Google Analytics 4 (GA4-DIY)?
Yes! This was considered when the feed was built. Follow the same approach as you do for the regular GA-DIYs. Note that for Google Analytics 4 you can request Custom Dimensions where previously in Google Analytics UA this was not supported.
How many Dimensions and Metrics can be included in Google Analytics 4 DIY?
Our limit is 7 dimensions and 10 metrics to ensure we consistently return data for all regardless of TapClicks configuration.
Why don’t I see my DIY data views in the dropdown for a Live Connector widget?
The reason you do not see the DIY data views that have been built for you in the dropdown when building a Live Connector widget is that they do not apply to Live Connectors. DIY data views are only for the stored data set and will not carry over. If you want to report on the same data in a Live Connector widget, please use the Custom data view.
What is the Custom data view versus the DIY data views?
In TapClicks, the Custom data view is a flexible data view within the Live Connector for Google Analytics 4 that enables you to build out an API call to GA4 that is custom to you and your needs. Note that this data view will also allow you to select custom dimensions and metrics you have created. While the Live Connector has the Custom data view, the stored connector has DIY data views. The DIY data views are built based on your specific needs, fetch data from the API daily and store it for your ease of use. These require definition on our backend and have limitations based on the API. However, they do support custom dimensions in addition to all standard fields.
In summary:
- Custom data view = flexible data view for Live Connector
- DIY data view = flexible data view for stored connector