Why you need to switch to GA4 sooner than you think

Earlier this year Google announced that the latest version of Google Analytics, GA4, will become the only available web analytics service offered by the company starting in July 2023. Universal Analytics (UA) is on the way out and will cease to process new hits as of October 1, 2023. UA and GA4 operate on very different data models, so there’s a lot of learning to do before that change comes.

Because the changeover won’t arrive until next year, however, many marketers have avoided making an early transition to GA4 and tackling all of the challenges that come with that. This is a mistake. If you want to take full advantage of GA4 when the switch comes in mid-2023, you’ll need to start using GA4 by July of 2022, a full year before UA is discontinued. 

Here’s why you should start using GA4 as soon as possible and some of the key benefits of getting that head start.

Getting a head start on GA4

GA4 does not use the same data model as UA. In other words, they organise data and the relationship between data differently, so some of the changes can feel quite jarring at first glance. Several familiar metrics found in UA like bounce rates, for example, can no longer be found in GA4 (for now). With these types of changes on the way the broadest benefit to using GA4 before the switch is simple – you’ll have more time to get used to GA4 and its data model, putting you in the best position to start using it when UA is no longer available. 

Although the data collected by UA and GA4 are difficult to compare due to their different models, having a period where you can use both UA and GA4 side by side will help you to prepare for the transition to come. Even if you’ve read up on everything there is to know about GA4 before the switch, there’s one great reason you should start using GA4 now instead of waiting for UA to be discontinued.

UA won’t be available from July 2023, so you’ll need to start using GA4 from at least July 2022 if you want to be able to compare your data from this year to next year. Because of the different data models, comparing data collected by UA in 2022 with data collected by GA4 in 2023 will be very difficult. Businesses that began using GA4 a year earlier will have the analytical edge while those that waited until the switch was necessary will risk getting left behind.

It’s worth noting that GA4 comes with some potential downsides that you’ll need to anticipate before fully transitioning away from UA. Not only are some of the metrics that marketers could rely on in UA now gone or significantly different, but GA4’s data retention only lasts for a maximum of 14 months, after which older data is no longer available. 

GA4 will help target audiences more intelligently

GA4 comes with plenty of benefits that tackle emerging challenges, however, that you’ll be able to take advantage of sooner you begin using the new software. GA4 will allow you to use AI machine learning to plug the gap in your data left by the removal of cookies, for example, and to target audiences via Google Ads more intelligently. 

Help is here

Making the transition from UA to GA4 may seem intimidating, but there are plenty of resources available to help you make that process as streamlined as possible. To learn more about GA4’s data model and migrating events from UA to GA4 take a look at our handy guide to GTM event tracking in GA4. There’s even a migration template and a GTM container with pre-made GA4 custom events available to help you save time and begin using GA4 alongside UA until the transition is finalised.

Learn more about GA4

• How does cookie-less tracking work in GA4?
• 5 GA4 features you need to know about
• GA4 FAQ: your GA4 questions answered
• GA4 vs UA: comparing Google’s reporting platforms
• GTM event tracking for GA4

More help

For more help making sense of Google Analytics 4 and your website data, read about our Analytics & dashboards services or email me at [email protected].