Configure your Google Analytics tracking settings

Google Analytics 4 (GA4) is replacing Universal Analytics. From 1 July 2024, Universal Analytics properties will no longer process new data. If you still rely on Universal Analytics, Google recommends completing your migration to GA4. See their help article, Make the switch to Google Analytics 4.

Applaud supports both Universal Analytics (UA-) and GA4 (G-) tracking codes, but GA4 is the recommended standard going forward. You can watch this video and follow the procedure that follows in this article. 

Prerequisites

Before you configure Google Analytics in Applaud, complete these steps:

1. Set up a Google Analytics account – See Google's help topic, Get started with Analytics.
2. Enable the Google Analytics Data API – In your Google API Console:
   • Create or use an existing project. See Google's help article, Create a project.
   • From the API Library, enable the Google Analytics Data API. See Google's help article, Enable and disable APIs.
3. Create a service account key – Generate a JSON key file. See Google's help article, Create a service account key.
   • Copy the client email address from the file.
   • Add this email address as a user in Google Analytics. See the Google help article, Add users.
4. Set up custom dimensions and metrics in Google Analytics. See the Google help article, Create and edit custom dimensions and metrics.
   • All event parameters must be lowercase (for example, page_id).
     
   • Add the required custom metrics.
     
5. Set up Google Tag Manager – Create an account and import the Applaud container. See Google's help article, Create a new account and container.
   • Copy your GTM code from the Body snippet (for example, GTM-1234MGT).
   • Download the GTM_Configuration.json file attached to this article.
     
   • Paste your GTM code into the JSON file in the two required locations.
   • Import the container into GTM. See Google's help topic, Import a container.
   • Open the Google Analytics: GA4 Configuration tag and enter your Measurement ID.
   • Confirm the configuration tag is applied to all tags before publishing.

It may take some time for GA4 data to appear on the Experience Insights page in Applaud.

Procedure

1. In the Applaud platform, open the Admin home page and select Settings.
2. Under Tracking, do the following:
   • Google Analytics Tracking or Measurement ID – Enter your tracking ID (for example, UA-123456789-1 or G-1234567). You can add multiple IDs separated by commas.
   • Do not send tracking data to Applaud – Select this option if you want to prevent Applaud from sending usage data to its own analytics.
   • Google Tag Manager codes – If using GTM, enter your code (for example, GTM-1234TMG).
   • Link to other sites – Enter any external sites you want to track using the same code.
3. To view GA4 data in Applaud’s Experience Insights page:
   • Under the Key file section, select Upload and choose the JSON key file you generated earlier.
   • The uploaded file will be renamed Keyfile.json automatically.
   • Copy your Property ID from GA4 and paste it into the Property ID box in Applaud.
4. Select Update.

See more:

• About tracking site usage

Reference:

• Settings page