Google Analytics 4 (GA4) is the latest version of Google’s web analytics platform, and it provides a wealth of new features and capabilities. One of the most powerful aspects of GA4 is the ability to track custom events, which provide deep insights into user behavior on your website. With Google Tag Manager (GTM), you can easily set up custom events in GA4 and start tracking the interactions that matter most to your business.
Getting Started with GA4 and GTM
Google Tag Manager is a free tool that allows you to add and manage tracking and marketing tags on your website. To use GTM with GA4, you first need to create a GA4 property and a GTM container for your website, and get the GA4 measurement ID. Here’s how:
1. Create a GA4 property:
- Go to the GA4 homepage and click on “Create property”.
- Select “Web” and fill out the required information.
- Once you’ve created your GA4 property, you’ll be taken to the GA4 property setup page, where you can get your GA4 measurement ID.
2. Create a GTM container:
- Go to the GTM homepage and click on “Create Container”.
- Fill out the required information and select the GA4 property you just created.
- Once you’ve created your GTM container, you’ll be taken to the GTM container setup page, where you can get your GTM code.
Setting Up Custom Events in GA4 with GTM
Now that you have a GA4 property, a GTM container, and the GA4 measurement ID, you’re ready to set up custom events in GA4. Here’s how:
1. Create a custom event tag in GTM:
- Go to your GTM container and click on “Tags”.
- Click on “New” and select “Google Analytics: GA4 Event”.
- Fill out the required information, including the GA4 measurement ID, the event name, and the parameters you want to track.
- Choose the trigger that you want to use for the custom event, such as a button click or form submission.
2. Preview and publish the custom event tag in GTM:
- Once you’ve created the custom event tag, click on “Preview” in GTM.
- Go to your website and interact with the element that you want to trigger the custom event.
- If the custom event is triggered, you should see it in the GTM preview mode.
- Once you’re satisfied with the custom event tag, click on “Publish” in GTM.
Understanding Custom Events in GA4
Custom events in GA4 provide valuable insights into user behavior on your website. With custom events, you can track user interactions, such as button clicks, form submissions, and pageviews. Here’s what you need to know about custom events in GA4:
- Event name: The name of the custom event that you want to track.
- Parameters: Custom parameters that you can use to provide additional context and information about the event for your analysis, such as the type of button that was clicked or the form that was submitted.
- Measurement ID: The unique identifier for your GA4 property that you obtained in the “Getting Started with GA4 and GTM” section.
- Triggers: The actions or interactions that you want to track with your custom event. Triggers can include button clicks, form submissions, pageviews, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between GA4 and Google Analytics?
GA4 is the latest version of Google’s web analytics platform, while Google Analytics is the previous version. GA4 includes many new features and capabilities, such as real-time event tracking and cross-device measurement.
Can I use GA4 and Google Analytics together?
Yes, you can use GA4 and Google Analytics together on your website. This allows you to take advantage of the new features and capabilities of GA4, while still using the familiar reporting and analysis tools of Google Analytics.
What is Google Tag Manager?
Google Tag Manager is a free tool that allows you to add and manage tracking and marketing tags on your website. GTM integrates with GA4, allowing you to set up custom events and track user interactions with ease.
Conclusion
Setting up custom events in GA4 with Google Tag Manager is a powerful way to gain insights into user behavior on your website. By following the steps outlined in this ultimate guide, you can start tracking custom events and gain valuable insights into your website’s performance. Whether you’re new to GA4 or an experienced user, this guide is the complete resource for setting up custom events in GA4 with Google Tag Manager.