Common Analytics has sundown for many customers, and most have transitioned to Google Analytics 4. On this publish, I’ll deal with current GA4 updates, post-transition ideas, and choices for retaining historic Common Analytics knowledge.
Common Analytics Sunsetting
Practically all Common Analytics (UA) installs have stopped accumulating and reporting new knowledge. Google’s authentic sundown date was July 1, 2023, however the firm opted to part the shutdown versus a tough cease.
UA customers ought to see a notification on that platform saying the property has stopped processing knowledge.
UA customers ought to see a notification stating, “This property has stopped processing knowledge. To proceed measuring web site efficiency, arrange a Google Analytics (GA4) property.” Click on picture to enlarge.
A couple 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 knowledge 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 knowledge going ahead. To proceed receiving analytics information, create a GA4 property.
In any other case:
- Use a non-Google analytics platform, which many have finished owing to Google’s clumsy UA-to-GA4 transition.
- Do nothing and lose important visibility into web site visitors, engagement, and conversions — not an choice for any severe ecommerce service provider.
The simplest and most cost-effective choice is to arrange a GA4 property and proceed utilizing the highly effective analytics platform in your web site or app. GA4 is free, in spite of everything. Google supplies hyperlinks in UA report headers to directions — see photos above.
A GA4 property will possible final for years. Common Analytics launched in 2005 and resulted in 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 knowledge might be unavailable for customers and Google APIs after June 30, 2024, per Google. UA stories will disappear then.
To retain UA historical past, archive the info the place it’s simply accessible — to check present visitors, engagement, and conversion information.
The simplest and quickest archive choice is to export key stories 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 knowledge. Google’s “Analytics Assist” explains how.
- A 3rd-party service to maneuver the info to Google Sheets, Excel, or a knowledge warehouse, corresponding 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 knowledge for a steady historical past is difficult. Sure metrics are suitable between the 2 platforms. One other Analytics Assist publish addresses what can and can’t be in contrast.
My GA4 transition guidelines may help with combing the info and guaranteeing GA4 is reporting precisely. The checklist features a hyperlink to Looker Studio to check UA and GA4 knowledge and determine glitches.
Google Analytics goes by means of its most vital evolution thus far. The migration from UA to GA4 isn’t automated — customers should act. However the GA4’s worth is large. And it’s free.
