Changes Coming to Google Analytics Reporting
Dear Blue Fire Media Customers,
Beginning on July 1, 2023, Google will be converting Analytics from the previous Universal Analytics module to the new Google Analytics 4 (GA4) module. We have created a GA4 account for your website, so data streams will be pulling from your site to the GA4 account when the new module goes live. At that time, the Universal Analytics account will stop pulling data from your website, but historical data will still be available for at least 6 months. Universal Analytics will be removed completely at some point, but as of May 5, there is no set date.
Unfortunately, the GA4 module no longer offers the function to automatically email these reports every month, and links to these reports can only be sent to people with access to your company’s Analytics account. Google has stated that new functionality may be coming in the future, so the email function may return at some point, but there’s a very real possibility that this previously free function will be put behind a pay wall if/when it returns. We will update you on the status of this function as more information becomes available.
Because of this, we need to make sure that your company has at least one representative with access to your Analytics account. We can set this up for you. All we need are the name(s) and email address(es) of the employees who need this access (UPDATE: email addresses MUST be Gmail based accounts – Google will not allow access to third party email addresses unless they are associated with a Google account) , and we will add them to the account as administrators. They will each receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to set a password and access the account. For those of you who already have employees with access to Analytics, you should be set, unless you want to give access to additional employees.
Attached, you will find step-by-step instructions for viewing reports for Acquisition (which shows the number of users visiting your website and how they got there), Engagement (which shows data for how long visitors are active on your website and what they are doing on it), and Retention (which shows data for new and returning users visiting your website). These basic reports are very easy to access and will give you an overview of the data you have been receiving through the current Universal Analytics module. You can access these instructions by clicking on the link provided at the bottom of this page.
We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused. We are available to assist with any questions you may have and will keep you informed about any further changes that Google makes as this new module rolls out.
Sincerely,
Blue Fire Media
(269) 492-1000
Instructions
