Analytics: Tracking#

Guides analytics implementation: GA4 setup, event tracking, conversions, and data quality. Applies to web and app tracking across marketing channels.

When invoking: On first use, if helpful, open with 1-2 sentences on what this skill covers and why it matters, then provide the main output. On subsequent use or when the user asks to skip, go directly to the main output.

User ID#

• Purpose: Cross-device, cross-session user identification
• Implementation: Set user_id when user is identified (e.g., login); send to GA4
• Benefit: Accurate attribution across sessions; better audience building

CTA Attribution (Article ROI)#

Track CTA clicks on key articles to measure content ROI:

ActionPurposeEvent per CTAe.g., cta_click with content_url, content_typeConversionMark as conversion in GA4 for attributionUseCompare high vs low performers; optimize CTA placement and copy

See seo-monitoring for article database and benchmark context.

Infrastructure Requirements#

ComponentPurposeData warehouseCentralized data; BI reportingEvent trackingUser behavior; funnel mappingAttributionAd pixels; attribution model; impression-to-sale tracking

Optimization flow: Clean UTM + conversion events → attribution reports → optimize channel mix.

Scope#

• GA4: Web data stream, gtag.js, configuration
• User ID: Cross-device, cross-session identification
• CTA attribution: Per-article conversion tracking for content ROI
• Events: Recommended and custom events
• Conversions: Key events, parameters
• Quality: Naming, testing, validation

GA4 Setup#

Prerequisites#

• Google Analytics property and web data stream
• Google tag (gtag.js) on all pages
• Measurement ID (e.g., G-XXXXXXXXXX)

Enhanced Measurement#

Enable in Admin > Data Streams > Enhanced Measurement for automatic tracking of:

• Page views, scrolls, outbound clicks
• Site search, file downloads
• Video engagement (YouTube)

Event Tracking#

Event Types#

TypeDescriptionAutomatically collectedpage_view, first_visit, session_startEnhanced measurementscroll, click, file_download, etc.Recommendedpurchase, sign_up, search, etc.CustomBusiness-specific actions

Naming Conventions#

• Length: <=40 characters (GA4 hard limit; longer names are not logged)
• Format: snake_case, lowercase
• Verb first: download_pdf, submit_form, video_play
• Context: pricing_page_scroll vs generic scroll

gtag.js Syntax#

javascript

gtag('event', '<event_name>', {
  <parameter_name>: <value>,
  // e.g. value: 99.99, currency: 'USD'
});

Place below the Google tag snippet. Events fire on page load or user action (e.g., button click).

Recommended Events#

EventUseKey ParameterspurchaseE-commercevalue, currency, itemssign_upRegistrationmethodloginLoginmethodsearchSite searchsearch_termview_itemProduct viewitemsadd_to_cartAdd to cartitems

Custom Events#

• Focus on 15-25 meaningful events aligned with KPIs
• Add parameters for context (e.g., content_type, item_id)
• Avoid tracking everything; prioritize quality over quantity

Conversions (Key Events)#

• Mark important events as conversions in GA4 Admin
• Use for attribution, audiences, and reporting
• Typical: purchase, sign_up, lead, contact

Attribution & Conversion Optimization#

Attribution models determine how conversion credit is assigned across touchpoints. Use attribution data to optimize ads and growth channels.

ModelUseData-driven (GA4 default)ML assigns credit by actual contribution; best for multi-touch journeysLast-click100% to final touchpoint; simple but undervalues awareness/consideration

Optimization flow: Clean UTM (source, medium, campaign) + conversion events → GA4 attribution reports → compare channels by attributed conversions → reallocate budget to ads/channels that drive results. Inconsistent UTM fragments data; multi-touch attribution requires reliable touchpoint data.

Reference: UTM.io – UTMs for Marketing Attribution, GA4 – Get started with attribution

Testing & Validation#

ToolUseRealtimeSee events as they fireDebugViewDetailed event/parameter inspection; requires debug modeGA4 Debug modegtag('config', 'G-XXX', { 'debug_mode': true }); or GTM preview

• Test before launch; verify parameters and naming
• Check for duplicate events, missing values

Output Format#

• Event list (name, trigger, parameters)
• Implementation notes (gtag or GTM)
• Conversion mapping
• Testing checklist

Related Skills#

• traffic-analysis: UTM, source attribution; attribution for channel optimization
• ai-traffic-tracking: AI traffic in GA4
• google-search-console: GSC analysis (correlate with GA4)
• seo-monitoring: Article database, benchmark, full SEO monitoring framework