Common Analytics has sundown for many customers, and most have transitioned to Google Analytics 4. On this submit, I’ll handle current GA4 updates, post-transition ideas, and choices for retaining historic Common Analytics information.
Common Analytics Sunsetting
Practically all Common Analytics (UA) installs have stopped gathering and reporting new information. Google’s unique sundown date was July 1, 2023, however the firm opted to section the shutdown versus a tough cease.
UA customers ought to see a notification on that platform saying the property has stopped processing information.
UA customers ought to see a notification stating, “This property has stopped processing information. To proceed measuring web site efficiency, arrange a Google Analytics (GA4) property.” Click on picture to enlarge.
A number of may see a notification of a scheduled cease.
Some UA customers will see a notification of an upcoming cease: “This property is scheduled to cease processing information very quickly. As soon as this goes into impact, you’ll want a Google Analytics 4 property to measure efficiency.” Click on picture to enlarge.
The place UA has stopped processing, all graphs will present 0 with no information going ahead. To proceed receiving analytics information, create a GA4 property.
In any other case:
- Use a non-Google analytics platform, which many have accomplished owing to Google’s clumsy UA-to-GA4 transition.
- Do nothing and lose important visibility into web site site visitors, engagement, and conversions — not an possibility for any critical ecommerce service provider.
The simplest and most cost-effective possibility is to arrange a GA4 property and proceed utilizing the highly effective analytics platform in your web site or app. GA4 is free, in any case. Google gives hyperlinks in UA report headers to directions — see photographs above.
A GA4 property will probably final for years. Common Analytics launched in 2005 and led to 2023 — 18 years. My on-line retailer, Greek Market, has a UA-31848 Property ID (the 31,848th UA set up) commencing in October 2005.
The Greek Market web site used UA from October 2005 to mid-2023. Click on picture to enlarge.
Archiving UA Knowledge
UA information might be unavailable for customers and Google APIs after June 30, 2024, per Google. UA studies will disappear then.
To retain UA historical past, archive the information the place it’s simply accessible — to match present site visitors, engagement, and conversion information.
The simplest and quickest archive possibility is to export key studies manually. Export codecs on UA are:
- PDF,
- Google Sheets,
- Excel,
- CSV.
In any other case, use:
- The Google Sheets add-on to export and archive your information. Google’s “Analytics Assist” explains how.
- A 3rd-party service to maneuver the information to Google Sheets, Excel, or a knowledge warehouse, equivalent to BigQuery.
Knowledge export codecs on UA are PDF, Google Sheets, Excel, and CSV. Click on picture to enlarge.
Combining UA and GA4 Knowledge
Combining UA and GA4 information for a steady historical past is difficult. Sure metrics are appropriate between the 2 platforms. One other Analytics Assist submit addresses what can and can’t be in contrast.
My GA4 transition guidelines can assist with combing the information and guaranteeing GA4 is reporting precisely. The checklist features a hyperlink to Looker Studio to match UA and GA4 information and determine glitches.
Google Analytics goes by way of its most vital evolution thus far. The migration from UA to GA4 just isn’t automated — customers should act. However the GA4’s worth is great. And it’s free.
