Currently, our web analytics reports use Universal Analytics, a service provided by Google to track and report website data.
With the sunset of Universal Analytics, Google is replacing it with Goggle Analytics 4(GA4). EAG is working to create a smooth migration to the new Google Analytics 4 report.
You will notice some new metrics available for you as the Total session number and on the Unit report, the breakdown by website including User engagement time.
The reports will be updated as new Google features become available.
If you use the Infohub web analytics reports there is no action for you to take. The GA4 reports will be available beside the current Web Analytics Report and eventually they will replace the current ones.
The new report is accessible from Infohub at:
Home > System > Website Management > My Unit Websites
Questions? Visit our FAQ or contact (opens in a new window)eag.support@ucd.ie .
Google offers a range of tutorial videos and articles that can help you understanding GA4. Here we have selected the most relevant information when using our Infohub Web Analytics report :
The Web Analytics reports are available in Infohub under Systems>Website Management>My Websites
To be able to access the analytics reports you must be granted access by EAG with theauthorisation of the website owner. The website owner can send the request to eag.support@ucd.ie to request it.
You will notice a slight difference in the numbers between the Universal Analytics and the new GA4 report. This can be caused due several factors: a change in how Google measures the data, events not being calculate due to user cookies settings, new metrics being used, etc.
If you are interested in learning more about possible mismatches we recommend reading this Google article on (opens in a new window)comparing metrics: Google Analytics 4 vs. Universal Analytics
Currently we are unable to include some fields on our report. This is due to how GA4 processes data.
Google Analytics is in constant development and we are looking for alternatives to improve our reports.
In GA4 reports we use user engagement time to measure the average time on pages. The way GA4 calculates User Engagement is significantly different from Universal Analytics, with GA4 focus is on measuring when the user actively uses your site.
In GA4, user engagement is the amount of time someone spends with your web page in focus. User engagement is only triggered when:
Back to Universal Analytics, average time on pages was calculated from the moment a session started, regardless if the user had engaged with the website or not.
If you would like to understand more, have a look on this Google article on (opens in a new window)how GA4 calculated User Engagement and this article on (opens in a new window)Engagement rate and bounce rate
With the sunset of Universal Analytics we have being working to create a smooth migration to the new Google Analytics 4 (GA4). While our Web Analytics Infohub reports look very similar there are some key differences, those come from the way GA4 gathers and manipulate data.
One of the key distinctions is the shift from a session-centric approach to a user-centric one.
In Universal Analytics, the main focus was on tracking individual sessions and their interactions with a website. GA4, on the other hand, emphasizes tracking the behavior of users across multiple devices and platforms. This shift acknowledges the growing complexity of user journeys in today's interconnected digital landscape.
Another significant change in GA4 is the enhanced event tracking system. While Universal Analytics primarily relied on pageviews and predefined events, GA4 introduces a more flexible and customizable event tracking mechanism. It allows businesses to define and track specific events that align with their unique goals and objectives, providing more granular insights into user interactions.
So to achieve the data we had available using Universal Analytics there is some work in customising and setting up new events in GA4 to gather the data we are looking for.
However, perhaps the most relevant change for the University is that GA4 includes improved data privacy features to align with evolving regulations and user expectations. It provides more options for data control and management, ensuring compliance with privacy policies and offering users more transparency and control over their data.
EAG does not support local accounts. Our recommendation is to use the Infohub Web Analytics report, and now it is a good time to migrate to Infohub Web Analytics reports. If you have any questions contact eag.support@ucd.ie.