📘 GOOGLE ANALYTICS 4 (GA4)
COMPLETE STEP-BY-STEP SETUP & ADMIN SETTINGS GUIDE
1️⃣ CREATE ACCOUNT & PROPERTY (ONE-TIME)
Step 1: Create GA Account
1. Go to: https://analytics.google.com
2. Click Admin → Create Account
3. Enter:
o Account name (Organisation / Website)
o Enable recommended data-sharing options
4. Click Next
📌 Purpose: Account is the top-level container for properties.
🔗 Source:
https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/9304153
Step 2: Create GA4 Property
1. Enter Property name
2. Select:
o Time zone (must be correct)
o Currency
3. Choose business details
4. Click Create
📌 Purpose: Property is where all analytics data lives.
🔗 Source:
https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/9304153
2️⃣ DATA COLLECTION (MOST IMPORTANT)
Step 3: Create Data Stream
Path:
Admin → Data streams → Add stream → Web
Enter:
• Website URL
• Stream name
Enable:
• Enhanced measurement → ON
This tracks automatically:
• Page views
• Scrolls
• Outbound clicks
• File downloads
• Site search
📌 Without a data stream → no data is collected
🔗 Source:
https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/9304153
Step 4: Install Tracking Code
Choose one method:
Option A: gtag.js (Direct)
• Copy Measurement ID (G-XXXX)
• Paste code inside <head> of all pages
Option B: Google Tag Manager (Recommended)
• Create GA4 Configuration tag
• Trigger: All Pages
• Publish container
📌 Purpose: Sends user activity to GA4.
🔗 Source:
https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/1008080
3️⃣ PROPERTY SETTINGS (FOUNDATION)
Step 5: Property Details
Path:
Admin → Property → Property details
Check:
• Time zone
• Currency
📌 Incorrect values cause wrong daily data and revenue errors.
🔗 Source:
https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/9304153
Step 6: Property Access Management
Path:
Admin → Property → Property access management
Roles:
• Viewer – reports only
• Analyst – explorations
• Editor – settings
• Administrator – full control
📌 Limit admin access strictly.
🔗 Source:
https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/9305587
Step 7: Property Change History
Path:
Admin → Property → Property change history
Shows:
• Filters added
• Users changed
• Settings edited
📌 Audit & troubleshooting tool (read-only).
🔗 Source:
https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/9308694
4️⃣ DATA COLLECTION & MODIFICATION
Step 8: Data Collection (Google Signals)
Path:
Admin → Data collection
Enable:
• Google Signals (if consent allows)
Benefits:
• Cross-device reporting
• Demographics
• Better audiences
🔗 Source:
https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/9445343
Step 9: Data Retention ⭐
Path:
Admin → Data retention
Set:
• Event data retention: 14 months
• Reset on new activity: ON
📌 Required for long-term analysis and explorations.
🔗 Source:
https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/7667196
Step 10: Define Internal Traffic (Your Own Visits)
Path:
Admin → Data streams → Web stream
→ Configure tag settings → Define internal traffic
Create rule:
• Name: Internal traffic
• IP address or range
• Save
📌 This marks your traffic (does not exclude yet).
🔗 Source:
https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/10104470
Step 11: Activate Data Filters ⭐⭐⭐
Path:
Admin → Data filters → Internal traffic
Set filter status:
• Active
📌 This permanently excludes your visits from reports.
🔗 Source:
https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/10104470
🔴 Important Clarification
❌ GA4 does NOT have “Exclude bots and spiders”
✔ GA4 automatically filters known bots
✔ No manual switch exists
Official confirmation:
https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/10269537
5️⃣ EVENTS & KEY EVENTS (CONVERSIONS)
Step 12: Events
Path:
Configure → Events
Includes:
• Automatic events
• Enhanced measurement events
• Custom events
📌 GA4 is event-based, not goal-based.
🔗 Source:
https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/10085872
Step 13: Mark Key Events
Path:
Admin → Key events
Mark important events:
• Form submission
• Purchase
• Contact click
📌 These replace “Goals” from old Analytics.
🔗 Source:
https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/9267568
6️⃣ OPTIONAL / ADVANCED SETTINGS
Step 14: Data Import
Path:
Admin → Data import
Use for:
• CRM data
• Offline conversions
• Cost data
📌 Skip unless needed.
🔗 Source:
https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/9358801
Step 15: Data Deletion Requests
Path:
Admin → Data deletion requests
Use only for:
• GDPR requests
• Legal compliance
🔗 Source:
https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/9945944
Step 16: Consent Settings
Path:
Admin → Consent settings
Configure if:
• Using cookie consent banner
• Operating under GDPR
🔗 Source:
https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/9976101
7️⃣ REPORTING & VERIFICATION
Step 17: Realtime & DebugView
Path:
Reports → Realtime
Configure → DebugView
Use to:
• Verify tracking
• Test filters & events
🔗 Source:
https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/7201382
✅ FINAL REQUIRED CHECKLIST
✔ Property details verified
✔ Data stream created
✔ Enhanced measurement ON
✔ Google Signals enabled
✔ Data retention set (14 months)
✔ Internal traffic filter ACTIVE
✔ Key events defined
🧠WHAT MOST USERS MISS (BUT YOU SHOULD NOT)
• Time zone errors
• Internal traffic not excluded
• Data retention left at 2 months
• Trusting outdated UA tutorials