HOW TO UPDATE UNIVERSAL GA IN TO GA4

 

Upgrade to a Google Analytics 4 property

Set up a Google Analytics 4 property (formerly known as an App + Web property) alongside your existing Universal Analytics property.

This article helps you set up a Google Analytics 4 property that collects data from the same pages as an existing Universal Analytics property. There are two steps:

1. Create or connect to a Google Analytics 4 property and migrate your Universal Analytics configuration settings
2. Enable data collection
   If your existing Universal Analytics site is fully tagged with gtag.js, you can simply enable data collection using existing tags as part of step 1. If your site is not tagged with gtag.js, the Get started wizard won’t be able to use your existing tags and you’ll need to manually tag your site 

3. Upgrade steps

   To upgrade:

   • Create a Google Analytics 4 property in Analytics with one or more data streams
   • Enable data collection

   Create or connect to a Google Analytics 4 property

   Find "Upgrade to GA4": 

   1. Sign in to Analytics.
   2. Click Admin.
   3. In the Account column, select the account in which you want to create the property. (If you only have one Google Analytics account, it will already be selected. However, if you have more than one Google Analytics account, make sure that the account you want is selected.)
   4. In the Property column, select the desired Universal Analytics property.
   5. Click Upgrade to GA4.

   You’ll now have the option to either 

   • create a new Google Analytics 4 property or 
   • connect to an existing one

   To create a new property

   1. Under “I need to create a new Google Analytics 4 property”, click Get Started.
   2. If your site uses the gtag.js tag, you’ll have the option to Enable data collection using your existing tags.  Note: If you've implemented any custom tags for your Universal Analytics property, this option won’t replicate the functionality for your Google Analytics 4 property. Read Considerations when using connected site tags.
   3. Click Create Property.

   Analytics will now create your new Google Analytics 4 property, copying basic data such as the property name, URL, timezone, and currency from your Universal Analytics property. Analytics will also automatically enable enhanced measurement for your Google Analytics 4 property. You’ll then be taken to Setup Assistant in your new Google Analytics 4 property. There, you can see the available options for migrating (or setting up from scratch) your configuration settings.

   To connect to an existing property

   You'll be responsible for tagging your site. By connecting, you'll be able to take advantage of future upgrade tools to assist with other configurations.

   1. Under “I want to connect to an existing Google Analytics 4 property”, select the Google Analytics 4 property you want to connect to. 
   2. Click Connect Properties. Analytics creates the connection between your Universal Analytics and GA4 properties.

   Click See your GA4 property and you will be taken to Setup Assistant in your new Google Analytics 4 property. There, you can see the available options for implementing tagging and migrating configuration settings.

   Enable data collection

   You only need to read this section if you

   • Were unable to enable data collection via Setup Assistant or as part of creating your Google Analytics 4 property or
   • Have advanced instrumentation needs; for example, you need to implement custom events or ecommerce.

   Now that you have set up your Google Analytics 4 property, you need to tag your site (with the global site tag, gtag.js). You won't replace the tagging that already exists for your Universal Analytics property, instead you'll add to it. So, data will flow to both your Universal Analytics property and your Google Analytics 4 property.

   The instructions are different depending upon how tagging is implemented for your Universal Analytics property.

   • If your website is hosted on a CMS or website builder (WordPress, Shopify, etc.), read the CMS guide.
   • If you use Google Tag Manager for your existing Universal Analytics property, read the Google Tag Manager guide.
   • If you use gtag.js for your existing Universal Analytics property, read the gtag.js guide.
   • If you use analytics.js for your existing Universal Analytics property, read the gtag.js guide for existing analytics.js sites.