Verifying the accurate collection of data is essential when transitioning to the new Google Analytics 4 property. This step serves as the foundation for leveraging the full range of advanced functionalities and insights offered by the latest version. Additionally, migrating to Google Analytics 4 has become a mandatory requirement to ensure continued access to the robust features and capabilities provided by the platform.

Step 1: Verify Data Collection with Google Analytics 4

To ensure a smooth transition and to fully utilize the enhanced capabilities of Google Analytics 4, it is crucial to verify the proper collection of data. We followed these steps to validate data collection:

1. Set up the Google Analytics 4 Property.
2. Implement the Google Analytics 4 Tag.
3. Test Data Collection.
4. Validate Data Consistency.

Migration to Google Analytics 4 provides several advantages, including:

1. Advanced Machine Learning: Leverage the power of machine learning models to gain deeper insights into user behavior, uncover trends, and make more informed business decisions.
2. Enhanced Cross-Platform and Cross-Device Tracking: Understand user interactions across various platforms and devices, allowing for a comprehensive view of the customer journey.
3. Improved Data Controls and Privacy: Benefit from enhanced data governance features, privacy controls, and compliance with evolving data protection regulations.
4. Enhanced Reporting Capabilities: Access new and improved reporting features that provide richer visualizations, custom insights, and easier data exploration.

Google Signals are a vital feature within Google Analytics 4 properties that provide valuable session data from websites and apps associated with users who have signed in to their Google accounts and enabled Ads Personalization. This data association with signed-in users allows for powerful functionalities such as cross-device reporting, cross-device remarketing, and cross-device conversion export to Google Ads.

By activating Google Signals, Seuss+ can now:

1. Cross Platform Reporting: Gain insights into user behavior across different devices, enabling a comprehensive understanding of how users interact with your online property.
2. Remarketing with Google Analytics: Effortlessly reach users across their various devices, allowing you to deliver highly relevant ads and increase engagement.
3. Advertising Reporting Features: Access advanced reporting capabilities that provide valuable insights into the performance of your cross-device marketing efforts, including channels and campaigns.
4. Demographics and Interests: Understand the characteristics and preferences of your audience, allowing for targeted marketing strategies tailored to specific user segments.

About Data Collection

It's crucial to note that if you choose to deactivate Google Signals, you will lose access to these features individually, as they are all linked to the activation of Google Signals.

Furthermore, Google Signals facilitates a holistic view of user interactions across multiple browsers and devices for those who have enabled Ads Personalization. For instance, you can track how users browse your products on a mobile phone and later return to complete purchases using a tablet or laptop.

Default settings ensure that Google signed-in data expires after 26 months, unless you have set a shorter time frame using the Analytics Data Retention setting. Cross-platform reports only provide aggregated data and do not expose any personally identifiable information.

It's worth mentioning that the data collected under Google Signals is solely utilized for providing the Google Analytics service unless you enable Data Sharing settings or opt to link with other Google products.

To activate Google Signals for Seuss+ Google Analytics 4 property, we followed these steps:

1. Log in to Google Analytics and navigate to the Admin section.
2. Ensure you have the Editor role for the respective property.
3. In the PROPERTY column, click on Data Settings > Data Collection.
4. Enable Google signals data collection by toggling the switch to the "on" position.
5. By default, Google Signals data is collected in all regions. If you want to restrict data collection to specific regions, you can customize the settings accordingly.
6. Keep in mind that disabling Google Signals data collection will result in the loss of cross-platform reporting, remarketing lists based on Analytics data, advertising reporting features, and demographics and interests.

Please note that activating Google Signals subjects you to the policy requirements for Google Analytics Advertising Features. To ensure user privacy, data thresholds may be applied to properties using Google Signals.

In summary, activating Google Signals empowers Seuss+ with valuable insights into user behavior across devices, allowing for enhanced reporting, remarketing opportunities, and optimized marketing strategies.