Discover the differences between Google Analytics 3 (Universal) and Google Analytics 4.
Data Sources
- GA4: Tracks apps (iOS or Android) and websites together via the Data Stream
GAU: Tracks websites OR apps in separate views, one per view, via Property & Apps
Data Collection
- GA4: Event-driven model. (Furthermore, events can be created and edited without changing the code on your website)
GAU: Page view/session-driven model with coding or Google Tag Manager knowledge necessary to create and edit events
Conversion Tracking
(i.e. purchases, subscriptions, registrations)
- GA4: Event Conversions: Any event you track can be turned into a conversion (see following screenshot), thus replacing Goals. To track conversions, you mark an event as a conversion. Every time that event occurs, a conversion is registered
GAU: Goals are used to track important user interactions
*Keep mind that Google Analytics, and in turn, Metrics for News, can only track conversions that take place on your owned properties (website/app). If you use a third-party website, for example, to execute subscription purchases, this data will not show up in GA.
Cross-Device Tracking
- GA4: This is now done via Google Signals. (See our Advanced GA Settings page to learn more.) If a user is signed into a Google account while using your app and/or website, you will be able to track them across devices (so long as their ad personalization is enabled), even if they're not signed in to your website/app or your website/app doesn't have a sign-in option.
This resolves the challenge of tracking users amidst cookie restrictions that have been enacted to address privacy concerns
GAU: You must set up user IDs assigned to individual users in order to track them across devices. Without enabling this feature, the same user will be counted as a different user on every unique device they use.