Introduction

In the past, turning on the Tracking feature alone would automatically pass the booking apps’ custom events to Google Analytics. But with recent the recent transition to Google Analytics 4 from Universal Analytics, the process is now trickier.

Now, to pass custom events from our plugin requires that you do so through Google Tag Manager. This includes setting up the Trigger, Variables, and the Tags in a container to pass onto Google Analytics.

There’s not much documentation online to help you do this, so we wanted to put together some resources so that our tracking feature can continue to be useful to your analytics research.

Two methods we’re going to cover

1. Import the container we’ve created and merge it into your existing (or new) container in GTM
2. Or, create each Trigger, Variable, and Tag from scratch: Coming soon!

Universal Analytics vs. Google Analytics 4

Universal Analytics (UA) is the previous generation of Google Analytics, if you set up Google Analytics on your site before October 14, 2020, you’re most likely using UA.

Google Analytics 4 (GA4) is the new generation of Google Analytics that promises more helpful insights through machine learning models. Google claims that this is now the default experience for GA and is where they will be investing all their future improvements.

If you’re using the older UA properties on your site, Google recommends that you begin using the new GA4 properties alongside your existing ones.

Read more about what Google has to say about this transition here.

Method 1: Importing Our Pre-Made Tag Manager Container

Pre-Requisites

• A Google Tag Manager and Google Analytics account
• Make sure to set up the Google Manager scripts on your website. (I used the Insert Headers and Footer plugin for this)
• Turn on the SSA Tracking settings in the plugin.

Download the Container’s JSON File

To start you’re going to need to download the pre-made container, this holds the Triggers, Variables and Tags you need to send the custom events to Google Analytics.

Download the JSON Container File Here

Import the Container

If you do not have an existing container for your website, you’ll need to create a new one on Google Tag Manager.

After creating a container, or if you already have an existing one, you’ll need to select the grey cog on the right-side corner.

Next, you’ll need to select the Import Container tab.

From here, you can upload the JSON file you collected earlier, choose a workspace, and choose your import option.

For my set up I chose an Existing workspace. And, for the import option, I would suggest you choose what’s best for you.

If you just created a new container, feel free to use the Overwrite option.

But, if you had a pre-existing container, I’d suggest you choose the Merge option and Rename Conflicting Tags, Triggers, and Variables.

Click Confirm to continue.

Replace the Measurement ID

Now that you’ve imported the container, you’ll need to replace the Measurement ID in the GA4 Tag.

Please refer to the Youtube video above if you’re stuck on this step.

Here are a couple of guides to find the Measurement ID in both GA4 and Universal Analytics:

• How to find the Measurement ID
• Setup GA4 Property to an Existing Universal Analytics Property

After collecting the Measurement ID (or “G-” ID), go to Google Tag Manager and open the Tags tab. Open the GA4 Tag.

Go ahead and replace the Measurement ID you see there with the one you collected from your Google Analytics account. Click Save.

Publish the Container and Wait

After changing the Measurement ID, go ahead and Save/Publish the container. Here’s a Google guide with more information on Publishing.

It can take up to 24 hours to see your changes take place in the Events tab in Google Analytics.

Method #2: Create Each Trigger, Variable, and Tag From Scratch

Coming soon!

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