Setting up Google Analytics 4

Step-by-step guide on setting up Google Analytics 4 as a destination in RudderStack.

Before configuring Google Analytics 4 as a destination in RudderStack, verify if the source platform is supported by Google Analytics 4 by referring to the table below:

Connection Mode	Web	Mobile	Server
Device Mode	Supported	-	-
Cloud Mode	Supported	Supported	Supported

To know more about the difference between cloud mode and device mode in RudderStack, read the RudderStack Connection Modes guide.

Once you have confirmed that the source platform supports sending events to Google Analytics 4, follow these steps:

1. From your RudderStack dashboard, add the source. Then, from the list of destinations, select Google Analytics 4.

2. Assign a name to your destination and click on Next.

Connection settings

To successfully configure Google Analytics 4 as a destination, configure the following settings:

• API Secret: This field is required only for the cloud mode setup where you can enter the API Secret generated through the Google Analytics dashboard. It can be created in the Google Analytics dashboard under Admin > Data Streams > Choose your stream > Measurement Protocol > Create.

• Client Type: Select the client type as gtag or Firebase from the dropdown:

  • gtag - Supported for the cloud and device mode both. If you select gtag, enter the below:

    • Measurement Id: Enter the Measurement Id which is the identifier for a data stream. It can be found in the Google Analytics dashboard under Admin > Data Streams > Choose your stream > Measurement ID.

  • Firebase - Supported only for the cloud mode. If you select Firebase, enter the below:

    • Firebase App Id: Enter the Firebase App ID which is the identifier for Firebase app. It can be found in the Firebase dashboard under Project Settings > General.

Refer to the FAQ section for more information on how to obtain the API Secret, Measurement Id and Firebase App ID.

Native SDK

All the settings mentioned below are applicable only for the device mode.

• Block a Page View Event: Enable this setting to disable sending page_view events on load. However, you can explicitly send a page_view event by calling the page() API.

• Extend Page View Property: Enable this setting to send the following properties along with any other custom property to the page call of the RudderStack SDK:

  • url

  • search

Google Analytics 4 has a limit on the number of unique properties per event name. The default page_view event supports the properties mentioned in the Automatically collected events in Google Analytics 4 guide.

• Send userId to GA: This setting exhibits the following behavior:

  • If enabled, the user ID is set to the identified visitors and sent as explained in the Cookies and user identification guide.

  • If disabled, userId is not sent and Rudderstack only sends the user traits set as user_properties to Google Analytics. The user properties are set on the gtag client as explained in the Set user properties guide.

Client-side events filtering

This option is applicable only if you're sending events to Google Analytics 4 via the web device mode. Refer to the Client-side Event Filtering guide for more information on this feature.

Web SDK settings

Use device mode to send events: Enable this setting to send events via the RudderStack device mode.

Finally, click on Next to enable Google Analytics 4 as a destination in Rudderstack.

FAQ

How do I obtain the Measurement Id?

1. Login to Google Analytics dashboard.

2. Go to the Admin section in the left sidebar.

3. Select the relevant account and property.

4. Click on Data Streams and select the stream to get the Measurement Id as shown:

How do I obtain the API Secret?

1. Login to Google Analytics dashboard.

2. Go to the Admin section in the left sidebar.

3. Select the relevant account and property.

4. Click on Data Streams and select the stream.

5. Click on Measurement Protocol API secrets to get the API Secret as shown:

How do I obtain the Firebase App ID?

1. Login to Google Analytics dashboard.

2. Go to the Admin section in the left sidebar.

3. Select the relevant account and property.

4. Click on Data Streams and select the stream to get the Firebase App Id as shown:

Contact us

For queries on any of the sections covered in this guide, you can contact us or start a conversation in our Slack community.