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Google Analytics with its every update gets criticism in the beginning. For example, when GA 2, the original Google Analytics shifted to GA3 AKA UA (Universal Analytics), it caught many furious critics from all over the world.
In addition, we think similar is happening with Google Analytics 4 (GA 4) ever since it has been launched at the end of 2020. Many marketers have been criticizing GA 4 for its features from missing standard reports to replacement of bounce rate with engagement rate and whatnot while calling it the world update ever; we think all these are a bit too much because these flaws can actually make GA 4 the best Google analytics update ever.
We have a list of Five Major Criticism that GA 4 is Facing and how they actually contribute to improvement. Here they are-
1.Data Discrepancies and Disruptions
With every new upgrade in Google Analytics, methods of calculating unique users and sessions change so does GA 4. Earlier when the UA update came in 2012, people gave the same reaction as now for GA 4 but left adopting and liking it.
Many critics of GA 4 have argued that these new data models and measurement protocols are leading to data discrepancies and disruptions with multiple inconsistencies.
But we think each change in GA, the methods analytics tool for calculating unique users and session changes because can help measure more accurately all key performance indicators (KPIs).
GA 4 is better than UA because it gives you a meaningful comparison of a year’s whole data. You can compare yourself. With GA 4, organizations now can use multiple-data sources (third-party data import) and incorporate them to get better monitoring of their users and their internet journey, which was not possible with UA.
2.Learning Curve and Interface Complexity
GA 4’s new overhauling user interface and different reporting approach can be a steep learning curve for many users. Since GA 4 has a completely different interface than UA which is troubling the users to adopt.
However, we think every new UI comes with different changes and learning curves and takes some time to be adaptable and useable.
GA 4 has more user-centric updates, which empowers both marketers and analysts to analyze data in a more natural and personalized manner to uncover hidden patterns. These features make GA 4 interfere completely with your own because now you can add custom reports, which are entirely related to your business.
Being said, the initial hindrance of the learning curve can be daunting but GA 4 has many long-term benefits with its user-friendly interface and customizable options.
3.Limited Historical Data
Many critics argued that GA4 has removed the unlimited access to the historical data and made it tough to analyze trends and forecast. GA4 has access to only 14 months old data to be compared with.
We think this is for the best because since the pandemic, market behavior has changed enormously and there is no use in comparing those data from current ones. Also now, the markets and analysts have an opportunity to study current market and customer trends instead of relying on the old patterns.
You can now make better strategies, which align with the present and has better outcomes in the future through the update of GA 4.
4.Reduced Customization Options
It is funny to read that many critics say GA 4 has fewer customization options only because it does not have a custom reports-only option like UA.
However, GA 4 has more customization options to focus on the most critical metrics and outcomes by simplifying event tracking. It forces us to reevaluate our tracking requirements and prioritize the metrics that truly matter, leading to more concise and actionable insights.
They reduced the options to enable businesses to have more industry-related exposure; facilitating benchmarking and more standardized comparisons.
As you can see even after reducing the custom report option, GA 4 has more customizable options. Using the library feature, you can add as many custom reports as you want. The update can help you yield greater productivity.
5.Privacy Concerns and Consent Management
GA 4 has launched strict data privacy policies to which many critics argued that it would make data collection and analysis tough leading to the inability of understanding users completely.
However, we think it is great to build trust between users and businesses by establishing themselves as ethical data stewards. Now, with GA 4 website and app privacy policies must be reviewed. For sites that have enabled Google signals as part of the “Reporting Identity” and operate under the legal aspects of GDRP, this review is critical.
Embrace the Change for Better-
GA 4 has unimagined benefits in the long term. With all these points of critics, we have provided you with a rational explanation of their usage, implementation, and future benefits. All you need to do is start adopting the change and become ready for a better future for your business.
While there are some features such as the annotation, tool, and ability to save predefined segments from standard reports that are missing by the users but we think they will be added with the future updates in GA 4.
Credit: searchengineland.com
Google Analytics with its every update gets criticism in the beginning. For example, when GA 2, the original Google Analytics shifted to GA3 AKA UA (Universal Analytics), it caught many furious critics from all over the world.
In addition, we think similar is happening with Google Analytics 4 (GA 4) ever since it has been launched at the end of 2020. Many marketers have been criticizing GA 4 for its features from missing standard reports to replacement of bounce rate with engagement rate and whatnot while calling it the world update ever; we think all these are a bit too much because these flaws can actually make GA 4 the best Google analytics update ever.
We have a list of Five Major Criticism that GA 4 is Facing and how they actually contribute to improvement. Here they are-
1.Data Discrepancies and Disruptions
With every new upgrade in Google Analytics, methods of calculating unique users and sessions change so does GA 4. Earlier when the UA update came in 2012, people gave the same reaction as now for GA 4 but left adopting and liking it.
Many critics of GA 4 have argued that these new data models and measurement protocols are leading to data discrepancies and disruptions with multiple inconsistencies.
But we think each change in GA, the methods analytics tool for calculating unique users and session changes because can help measure more accurately all key performance indicators (KPIs).
GA 4 is better than UA because it gives you a meaningful comparison of a year’s whole data. You can compare yourself. With GA 4, organizations now can use multiple-data sources (third-party data import) and incorporate them to get better monitoring of their users and their internet journey, which was not possible with UA.
2.Learning Curve and Interface Complexity
GA 4’s new overhauling user interface and different reporting approach can be a steep learning curve for many users. Since GA 4 has a completely different interface than UA which is troubling the users to adopt.
However, we think every new UI comes with different changes and learning curves and takes some time to be adaptable and useable.
GA 4 has more user-centric updates, which empowers both marketers and analysts to analyze data in a more natural and personalized manner to uncover hidden patterns. These features make GA 4 interfere completely with your own because now you can add custom reports, which are entirely related to your business.
Being said, the initial hindrance of the learning curve can be daunting but GA 4 has many long-term benefits with its user-friendly interface and customizable options.
3.Limited Historical Data
Many critics argued that GA4 has removed the unlimited access to the historical data and made it tough to analyze trends and forecast. GA4 has access to only 14 months old data to be compared with.
We think this is for the best because since the pandemic, market behavior has changed enormously and there is no use in comparing those data from current ones. Also now, the markets and analysts have an opportunity to study current market and customer trends instead of relying on the old patterns.
You can now make better strategies, which align with the present and has better outcomes in the future through the update of GA 4.
4.Reduced Customization Options
It is funny to read that many critics say GA 4 has fewer customization options only because it does not have a custom reports-only option like UA.
However, GA 4 has more customization options to focus on the most critical metrics and outcomes by simplifying event tracking. It forces us to reevaluate our tracking requirements and prioritize the metrics that truly matter, leading to more concise and actionable insights.
They reduced the options to enable businesses to have more industry-related exposure; facilitating benchmarking and more standardized comparisons.
As you can see even after reducing the custom report option, GA 4 has more customizable options. Using the library feature, you can add as many custom reports as you want. The update can help you yield greater productivity.
5.Privacy Concerns and Consent Management
GA 4 has launched strict data privacy policies to which many critics argued that it would make data collection and analysis tough leading to the inability of understanding users completely.
However, we think it is great to build trust between users and businesses by establishing themselves as ethical data stewards. Now, with GA 4 website and app privacy policies must be reviewed. For sites that have enabled Google signals as part of the “Reporting Identity” and operate under the legal aspects of GDRP, this review is critical.
Embrace the Change for Better-
GA 4 has unimagined benefits in the long term. With all these points of critics, we have provided you with a rational explanation of their usage, implementation, and future benefits. All you need to do is start adopting the change and become ready for a better future for your business.
While there are some features such as the annotation, tool, and ability to save predefined segments from standard reports that are missing by the users but we think they will be added with the future updates in GA 4.
Credit: searchengineland.com