Google Analytics Universal (UA) and Google Analytics 4 (GA4) are two different versions of the Google Analytics platform. Here are some key differences between them:
Data Model: The data model is one of the major differences between UA and GA4. UA uses a session-based model, where data is organized into sessions and pageviews. GA4, on the other hand, uses an event-based model, where data is structured around events and parameters. This shift in the data model allows GA4 to provide more flexible and granular tracking capabilities.
User-Centric Approach: GA4 introduces a more user-centric approach to tracking, focusing on individual users across multiple devices and platforms. It uses an enhanced tracking method that assigns a unique User ID to each user, allowing for better cross-device and cross-platform tracking. UA primarily relies on cookies and client IDs for tracking, which can result in incomplete user data.
Event Tracking: GA4 places a stronger emphasis on event tracking compared to UA. Events are at the core of GA4's data model and can be used to track various interactions, such as clicks, video plays, form submissions, and more. This enables more detailed and customizable tracking of user behavior.
GA4 represents a more modern and user-focused approach to web analytics, with enhanced tracking capabilities, machine learning features, and a redesigned reporting interface. While UA is still widely used and supported, Google encourages website owners to adopt GA4 for long-term analytics needs.
Explore this blog to know more about Google Analytics 4 and its features
