Before configuring Google Analytics 4 as a destination in RudderStack, verify if the source platform is supported by Google Analytics 4 by referring to the table below:

Connection ModeWebMobileServer
Device ModeSupported--
Cloud ModeSupportedSupportedSupported
To know more about the difference between cloud mode and device mode in RudderStack, refer to the RudderStack Connection Modes guide.

Once you have confirmed that the source platform supports sending events to Google Analytics 4, follow these steps:

  1. From your RudderStack dashboard, add the source. Then, from the list of destinations, select Google Analytics 4.
  2. Assign a name to your destination and click on Continue.

Connection settings

To successfully configure Google Analytics 4 as a destination, configure the following settings:

Google Analytics 4 Connection Settings in RudderStack
  • API Secret: This field is required only for the cloud mode setup where you can enter the API Secret generated through the Google Analytics dashboard. It can be created in the Google Analytics dashboard under Admin > Data Streams > Choose your stream > Measurement Protocol > Create.

  • Client Type: Select the client type as gtag or Firebase from the dropdown:

    • gtag - Supported for the cloud and device mode both. If you select gtag, enter the below:
      • Measurement Id: Enter the Measurement Id which is the identifier for a data stream. It can be found in the Google Analytics dashboard under Admin > Data Streams > Choose your stream > Measurement ID.
    • Firebase - Supported only for the cloud mode. If you select Firebase, enter the below settings:
      • Firebase App Id: Enter the Firebase App ID which is the identifier for Firebase app. It can be found in the Firebase dashboard under Project Settings > General.
Refer to the FAQ section for more information on how to obtain the API Secret, Measurement Id and Firebase App ID.
  • Enable debug mode: Enable this setting to monitor events in the debug view.
The debug mode works as following:
  • For device mode, it utilizes the debug_mode parameter in the GA4 script. Refer to the Google documentation for more information.
  • For cloud mode, it is supported via the validation server endpoint. Refer to the Google documentation for more information.

Identify

The settings in this section are only applicable for the cloud mode.
Google Analytics 4 Connection Settings in RudderStack
  • Enable Server Side Identify: Enable this setting and configure the following options to make an identify call:

    • Trait to differentiate between new or existing user: Enter a trait key to determine a new or an existing user.

    • Convert identify event to Login or Signup event: Enable this setting to convert the identify event to a login event in case of an existing user or a sign_up event in case of a new user.

      If Enable Server Side Identify is enabled in the dashboard, then this setting too must be enabled to send the identify call successfully.
    • Trait key for the 'method' parameter in Login or Signup event: Enter the trait key to pass the method parameter in the login or signup event.

    • Send 'generate_lead' event for 'identify' event: Enable this setting to send a generate_lead event for a new user.

      Note that the generate_lead event will only be fired for the new users and not for the existing ones.

      When enabled and it is a new user, you also need to enter the following details:

    • Value - traits for lead generation: Enter the value key to pass the value parameter for the generate_lead event.

    • Currency - traits for lead generation: Enter the currency key to pass the currency parameter for the generate_lead event.

      Refer to the identify call payload for more information on sending identify events to GA4 via cloud mode.

Native SDK

The settings in this section are only applicable for the device mode.
Google Analytics 4 Connection Settings in RudderStack
  • Block a Page View Event: Enable this setting to disable sending page_view events on load. However, you can explicitly send a page_view event by calling the page() API.
  • Extend Page View Property: Enable this setting to send the following properties along with any other custom property to the page call of the RudderStack SDK:
    • url
    • search
Google Analytics 4 has a limit on the number of unique properties per event name. The default page_view event supports the properties mentioned in the Automatically collected events in Google Analytics 4 guide.

Send userId to GA: This setting exhibits the following behavior:

  • If enabled, the user ID is set to the identified visitors and sent as explained in the Cookies and user identification guide.
  • If disabled, userId is not sent and Rudderstack only sends the user traits set as user_properties to Google Analytics. The user properties are set on the gtag client as explained in the Set user properties guide.

Client-side events filtering

Google Analytics 4 Connection Settings in RudderStack

This option is applicable only if you're sending events to Google Analytics 4 via the web device mode. Refer to the Client-side Event Filtering guide for more information on this feature.

Web device mode settings

Google Analytics 4 Connection Settings in RudderStack

Use device mode to send events: Enable this setting to send events via the device mode.

Finally, click on Next to enable Google Analytics 4 as a destination in Rudderstack.

FAQ

How do I obtain the Measurement Id?

  1. Login to Google Analytics dashboard.
  2. Go to the Admin section in the left sidebar.
  3. Select the relevant account and property.
  4. Click on Data Streams and select the stream to get the Measurement Id as shown:
measurement id

How do I obtain the API Secret?

  1. Login to Google Analytics dashboard.
  2. Go to the Admin section in the left sidebar.
  3. Select the relevant account and property.
  4. Click on Data Streams and select the stream.
  5. Click on Measurement Protocol API secrets to get the API Secret as shown:
api secret

How do I obtain the Firebase App ID?

  1. Login to Google Analytics dashboard.
  2. Go to the Admin section in the left sidebar.
  3. Select the relevant account and property.
  4. Click on Data Streams and select the stream to get the Firebase App Id as shown: firebase app id

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