Here’s what you need to know about Universal Analytics, GA4, and CloudPano
UA Sunset and Transition to GA4:
Universal Analytics (UA) was officially sunset and completely shut down in Q2 of 2023. This means that Google stopped collecting data for websites and applications using UA properties.
Migration to GA4:
All UA properties can be smoothly transitioned to Google’s newer version of analytics, known as GA4. To facilitate this migration, Google provides a helpful setup assistant: Google Analytics Setup Assistant.
Measurement ID in GA4:
Once you’ve set up your GA4 properties, you can find your Measurement ID. This ID is a unique identifier for your property, and it replaces the “tracking code” used in UA. You can locate your Measurement ID by following this guide: Find Your Measurement ID in GA4. It typically looks like this: G-12345.
Setting Up Google Analytics:
You have flexibility in how you set up Google Analytics. You can choose to create a different Google Analytics property for each sub-entity (e.g., different sections or departments within your organization). Alternatively, you can opt for a single Google Analytics property that covers all sub-entities. In the latter case, you would use the same Measurement ID across all tours related to your organization’s various entities.
Data Modeling in GA4:
In GA4, you have the power to customize how your data is reported. You can achieve this through various tools, including filters and data modeling. This allows you to tailor your analytics reports to fit your specific reporting needs.
CloudPano’s Role:
It’s important to note that CloudPano doesn’t generate any Google Analytics properties, tracking codes, or Measurement IDs. Users are responsible for setting up these analytics components in Google Analytics.
However, CloudPano does provide valuable event tracking capabilities, such as reporting on user navigation behavior (scene changes and time spent on scenes) and lead generation events (such as form submissions or clicks on contact information within virtual tours). You can learn about the events we report here: What GA4 Events does CloudPano Generate?
Challenges with GA4 Transition:
Google’s decision to deprecate Universal Analytics has been significant, as UA was widely used by many websites. It’s worth noting that during the transition to GA4, some users have reported challenges, particularly with the new interface. However, it’s reassuring to know that while the GA4 interface may be different from UA, the underlying analytics data remains consistent. Proper reporting should work seamlessly with GA4.
In summary, the sunsetting of Universal Analytics has prompted a shift to Google Analytics 4 (GA4), which offers improved tracking capabilities and a more modern data analysis platform. While the transition may pose some interface challenges, the core analytics data remains intact, and users can tailor their reporting as needed in GA4. CloudPano users should be aware that they need to set up Google Analytics properties themselves but can leverage CloudPano’s event reporting features within GA4.