Google Analytics unifies App and Website Measurement
Google Analytics team has officially launched a new type of GA properties called “App + Web” (now Google Analytics 4) to open public beta. Read on to learn about this property type’s flexible event-based model and how you can benefit from a unified app and web reporting.
What is “App and Web” GA Property Type?
It is a new GA property type that allows you to combine app and web data for unified reporting and analysis. Reports for this new property use a single set of consistent metrics and dimensions, making it possible to see integrated reporting across app and web. The new property type utilizes an event-based model for collecting the unique interactions that users have with the content.
Current State
Currently, many businesses measure app engagement with Google Analytics for Firebase and website engagement with Google Analytics. While each of these products separately offers authoritative insights, getting a more unified picture of engagement across the app and the website can be a manual and painstaking process. Using App and Web GA property type will help you to achieve this.
Upgrade Firebase projects to the next generation of app analytics
Over the coming weeks, those who have existing Firebase projects will be able to upgrade your projects to the next generation Google Analytics experience as follows:
Log in to the Firebase console.
Navigate to the Analytics dashboard.
Click on the “Begin Upgrade” button in the banner:
Follow on-screen instructions to complete the upgrade.
Or, if you have already linked their Firebase Project to GA, you will see the following banner in the GA UI:
Enhanced Measurement
The new property type utilizes a more flexible event-based model for collecting the unique interactions that users have the content, allowing you to measure any custom event that is set up. This event-based model allows you to automate the manual work of tagging some of the events on the website with no additional coding required. In addition to page views, enhanced measurement allows you to measure many common web events like scrolls, downloads, video views, and more with the flip of a toggle in the admin settings for the App and Web new property. The Enhanced measurement settings are as follows:
App and Web GA Property Benefits
User-centric Measure customer journeys across platforms and devices to get a more complete view.
Easier to navigate
Use the new, simplified navigation menu to explore the data and reports, or ask questions to surface insights using the new search experience.
Smarter reporting and analysis
Get automated insights with new machine learning functionality, or drill deep with enhanced analysis techniques to filter and compare metrics across events, conversions, and user properties.
Quick setup with no code changes
Measure with more flexibility using an intuitive event-based collection model across both app and web, with no code changes required.
Conclusion
Google Analytics team introduces a new property type, App + Web, that allows you to combine app and web data for unified reporting and analysis. The new property type utilizes a more flexible event-based model for collecting the unique interactions that users have with your content, allowing you to measure any custom event that you set up.