What’s Next: The Transition from Universal Analytics to GA4

In July 2023 Universal Analytics was replaced with the introduction of Google Analytics 4. The world adapted to its sleek new interface with some hesitation - but not without good reason. Although GA4 offered significantly improved privacy protocols, centralized reporting, debug mode & more, there were still some key components missing.

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Even though Universal Analytics wasn't perfect, it provided a familiar and user-friendly experience for many. Why does this matter? Well, here’s the thing. One year after the complete transition to GA4, key features still remain missing in GA4, which begs the question - is newer always better?

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The Transition from UA to GA4

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At the outset of its introduction, GA4 was unable to integrate historical data from Universal Analytics, creating a data gap for businesses relying on long-term trends. As if this wasn’t enough, GA4 was also missing the familiar and intuitive user interface of its predecessor. But getting used to any new UI takes time, right?

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Despite the GA4’s clean and contemporary look, the changes in metrics, limitations on segments, and removal of other features left users a bit lost. Data reporting methods changed too. UA offered 30+ standard reporting templates. GA4 shrunk this library to half, further shifting the onus of report customization onto the user. What was lost in streamlined reporting was replaced by room for inconsistency, and reliance on the user to standardize the output.

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Other features that were an essential part of the data analyst’s toolbox, like Views and Annotations were removed, leaving only speculation about their replacement. GA4 introduced Data Streams, which allows data collection from multiple traffic sources (websites and mobile applications) within the same property, but could take up to 48 hours to deliver reports of the same. 

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Introducing BlokID

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Pros and cons aside, the bottomline is that UA still remains undeniably missed. Lucky for us, we already have the solution. BlokID, a blockchain-driven analytics plugin, effectively bridges the gap between both, allowing you to import historical data from UA, use advanced segmentation tools, gather data directly from your website, and visualize your data using intuitively designed tools. 

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Imagine your favorite UA features within the compliant and updated GA4 framework - seamlessly integrated under one roof. BlokID creates the scaffolding that allows you to leverage the privacy-focused approach of GA4, while preserving the range of functionalities and insights you enjoyed in Universal Analytics.

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