Connect Google Analytics 4 to Google Search Console

Integrating Google Analytics 4 (GA4) with Google Search Console allows website owners to analyze their organic search data in Analytics, providing insights into search queries, clicks, and user behavior on your site. Follow these steps to set up the integration:

Step 1: Meet the Prerequisites

  1. Data Collection Alignment:
    Ensure that your GA4 property and Search Console property are collecting data for the same web pages.

  2. Permissions:

    • You must have the Editor role on the GA4 property.
    • You must be a verified owner of the Search Console property. Verification can be completed during the linking process.

For more details on Google Analytics 4 setup, check out How to Access Google Analytics 4.

  1. Open the Admin section in your GA4 property.
  2. Under Product Links, click Search Console Links.
  3. In the link table, click Link.

Step 3: Select the Search Console Property

  1. If you are a verified owner of one or more Search Console properties, you will see them listed.
  2. In the row labeled Link to Search Console properties I manage, click Choose accounts and select the desired Search Console property.

Learn more about connecting data in our article How to Connect Data to Looker Studio.

Step 4: Select the GA4 Web Data Stream

  1. Click Confirm, then Next.
  2. From the list of available data streams, select the web data stream for your website.

Step 5: Review and Submit

  1. Click Next to review the configuration settings.
  2. Submit the setup to finalize the link between Search Console and GA4.

If you're interested in visualizing data, you can explore How to Create a Looker Studio Dashboard for actionable insights.

Important Notes

  • Uneditable Links: Once created, Search Console links cannot be edited. To make changes, you must delete the existing link and create a new one.
  • Data Availability:
    • If the web data stream was created before site verification, data will be available from the date of site verification.
    • If site verification was completed before creating the web data stream, data will be available from the date the data stream was created.
  • Report Limits:
    • Search Console metrics are compatible with only a few dimensions in GA4, such as Landing Page, Device, and Country.
    • Search Console data in GA4 is limited to the last 16 months.

Step 6: Access the Reports

Once the integration is complete, GA4 provides two reports under the Library (left-hand menu):

  1. Google Organic Search Queries: Shows search queries with associated Search Console metrics.
  2. Google Organic Search Traffic: Displays landing pages along with Search Console and GA4 metrics.

Note: Publish these reports in the Library to make them visible.

For more details about managing and enhancing your reports, visit How to Use Looker Studio with Google Analytics 4.

By completing this integration, you can analyze your site’s organic search performance and make informed decisions to improve user engagement and SEO strategies.

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