New Tracking Improvements in Google Analytics (GA4) and Google Ads Data Collection

New Tracking Improvements in Google Analytics (GA4) and Google Ads Data Collection

Google has introduced new data collection features in Google Analytics 4 (GA4) and Google Ads that can improve tracking accuracy and automate customer list creation. In this update, we'll cover:

• How to enable improved data tracking in GA4
• A new automation feature in Google Ads for customer lists

Why should you enable this tracking to collect more accurate first party data?

By enabling improved measurement in GA4, businesses can collect more accurate first-party data. 

As privacy regulations tighten and third-party cookies become less effective, first-party data is now the most valuable asset for digital marketers. It allows businesses to track customer conversion and customer interactions when 3rd party cookies are blocked.

By enabling improved measurement in GA4, businesses can capture more first-party data from website interactions, allowing them to:

• Gain better insights into user journeys without third-party cookie dependencies.
• Improve conversion tracking for more effective retargeting and audience segmentation.

With the decline of third-party cookie tracking, businesses need reliable alternatives to maintain accurate ad targeting and campaign performance

Google’s latest updates in GA4 and Google Ads provide a solution by leveraging first-party data, that is: data collected directly from your website and customers.

Switching to first-party data strategies ensures long-term ad performance in a privacy-focused digital landscape. 

How do you enable improved data tracking in GA4?

Google has updated GA4 to collect first-party data more effectively. However, this feature needs to be manually activated.

To enable it:

1. Go to your GA4 Admin panel.
2. Navigate to Data Collection.
3. Find the option "Improve Measurement" and turn it on.
4. Ensure all required steps are acknowledged.

Activating this setting enhances tracking accuracy by automatically capturing more user data.

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What does the Google Ads automated customer list feature allow you to do?

Google Ads now offers an automated customer list feature, using first-party data from your conversion tracking to build audience lists dynamically. This means:

• Simplified audience targeting for better conversion tracking.
• Enhance data accuracy and efficiency for ads learning.
• More precise remarketing campaigns without relying on third-party cookies.
• Higher conversion rates by targeting users who have already engaged with your brand.
• Less manual work in audience segmentation, making campaign management more efficient.

How do you automatically generate customer lists in Google Ads?

To enable this feature:

1. Go to Admin in your Google Ads account.
2. Select Account Settings.
3. Navigate to Conversion Tags and activate the automation feature.

By enabling GA4’s improved measurement and Google Ads’ automated customer lists, businesses can improve ad campaign performance, maintain accuracy, and drive better results.

Hope this helps!