Introduction
If you’ve used Google Analytics for your website, chances are you’re familiar with Universal Analytics (UA) — the long-standing version that most marketers and analysts grew up on. But now, Google Analytics 4 (GA4) has taken center stage, and it’s not just a redesign — it’s a whole new way of thinking about analytics.
Key Differences
Whether you’re transitioning to GA4 or just starting your journey, here’s a breakdown of the key differences between GA4 and UA so you can understand what’s changed — and what it means for your business.
| Feature | Google Analytics 4 (GA4) | Universal Analytics (UA) |
|---|---|---|
| Data Model | Event-based: Everything is an event (including pageviews). | Session-based: Data is grouped into sessions and pageviews. |
| User Tracking | Focuses on both website and app users (cross-platform). | Primarily web-based user tracking. |
| Events | Flexible, no need for Category/Action/Label structure. | Requires Category/Action/Label for events. |
| Sessions | Derived from events (more flexible). | Core to reporting (strict session rules). |
| Bounce Rate | Replaced with Engaged Sessions metric. | Standard bounce rate (1 pageview without interaction). |
| User Identity | Uses multiple IDs (User-ID, Device-ID, Google Signals). | Primarily relies on cookies. |
| Reporting Interface | Fewer predefined reports, customizable explorations. | Many predefined, static reports. |
| Custom Reporting | Enhanced with Explorations and custom dashboards. | Limited custom reports. |
| Audience Building | Real-time audience evaluation for re-marketing. | Static list-based audiences. |
| Conversions (Goals) | Any event can be marked as a conversion. | Defined separately as Goals. |
| Data Retention | Default is 2 months, extendable to 14 months. | Up to 50 months. |
| Attribution Modeling | Uses data-driven attribution by default. | Default is last non-direct click (unless changed). |
| IP Anonymization | Always on and can not be disabled. | Optional (configurable). |
| Debugging Tools | Built-in DebugView for real-time testing. | Relies on external tools or manual testing. |
| Free BigQuery Export | Available to all GA4 users. | Only available for GA360 (paid version). |
| Interface Learning Curve | Steeper due to new structure and fewer built-in reports. | More familiar to long-time users. |
| Data Sampling | Less aggressive in standard reports. | Sampling kicks in quickly for large data sets. |
| Setup for Ecommerce | Needs custom event setup (like purchase, add_to_cart). | Enhanced Ecommerce plug-and-play available. |
Summary:
- GA4 is more flexible, future-proof, and built for cross-platform tracking.
- UA is more rigid but familiar and simpler for basic website analytics.
- GA4 will eventually replace UA entirely (UA stopped processing data as of July 1, 2023 for standard properties).
Final Thoughts
Universal Analytics served us well. User behavior evolves and privacy becomes a priority. GA4 is the modern solution we need. It’s built for the future: cross-platform, event-driven, and AI-powered.
If you haven’t already made the switch — now’s the time to get comfortable with GA4. The sooner you learn the ropes, the more prepared you’ll be for data-driven decisions in a post-cookie world.