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Google Analytics is Dead as We Know It: Meet Universal Analytics

June 6, 2014 by Kami Huyse

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Google Analytics is a mainstay for most websites and blogs. Google has slowly been transferring all of these accounts to its new property called Universal Analytics. Universal Analytics started out as a beta product for Google in October 2012. In March of last year it was opened to all users of Google Analytics. More recently, they have entered the phase where they will force all accounts to convert to the new standard.

This new platform was developed to better track the devices and digital touch points that have become so common. According to a post on the Google analytics blog last year, the following benefits are what users should get with Universal Analytics:

  • Understanding how customers interact with your businesses across many devices and touch-points,
  • Insights into the performance of your mobile apps,
  • Improvements of lead generation and ROI by incorporating offline and online interactions so you can understand which channels drive the best results,
  • Improved latency on your site by reducing client-side demands.

 

Mandatory Migration to Universal Analytics

If you haven't already switched to Universal Analytics you should get a message at the top of your Google analytics dashboard that looks like this.

 

image

 

Google Analytics has been slowly transferring accounts over to this new standard in phases. PHASE ONE was voluntary, with all properties being allowed to upgrade to Universal Analytics, with PHASE TWO began the auto transfer of certain accounts. PHASE THREE , is the current phase of Universal Analytics. It is out of its beta and all features are being supported, including DoubleClick and Remarketing. All new accounts will be on the Universal Analytics platform and all sites will eventually be auto transferred to the new standard. PHASE FOUR will start when all the properties have been upgraded into Universal Analytics. You can check to see if you've already been upgraded to Universal Analytics by clicking over to the Google website in reading this. You should see a message at the top of your admin menu that the capital universal capital analytics capital upgrade transfer is complete.

What this means for communicators is that we need to become conversant in this new standard and understand its implications and benefits. Google Analytics has published a developer's Guide for Universal Analytics and they have the upgrade link to get you started. I also like this article in Marketing Land by John Lincoln, “Complete Guide to Universal Analytics.” While it is a little old (written in PHASE TWO), it tells you how to turn on each new feature.

 

Benefits of Universal Analytics

Most of these new features are fairly advanced and will probably not be used by the majority of people in the short term. However. Universal Analytics is the new operating standard for Google Analytics and all product updates will be in this new platform. Here are the three most interesting benefits of the new system.

  1. Tie Multiple Devices to s Single User.  Universal Analytics allows tracking of a Unique ID.The benefit of this feature is that the Unique ID can allow you to identify the activity of a single user across multiple devices. This gives you a more accurate count in your reports. This benefit requires a developer to set it up as your website needs to be able to assign Unique IDs, usually through some kind of login.
  2. Set up Custom Dimensions and Metrics. If you have unique features to your website that are not included in the current set of metrics for Google analytics, the new Universal Analytics can help you to measure these. Collect and segment data that Google Analytics doesn’t automatically track, like product details, levels in games, or authors of content pages. This requires set up on both the dashboard and in the code.
  3. Simplified and More Accessible Configuration Options. Universal analytics allows you to I adjust when a session times out (currently it is that it 30 minutes but I usually have 30 open tabs), it also allows you to exclude referrals from websites or search engines. You can add, delete, and reorder the list of recognized search engines to modify how organic search traffic is attributed in your account and how the data appears in your reports.

 

Google’s Learning Center

I also recommend that you take advantage of Google’s many free resources to learn more about analytics and be sure to subscribe to the YouTube Channel.  Here are a few you should check out

  • Analytics Academy: Here  you can take one of three course: eCommerce Analytics, Google Analytics Platform Principles, Digital Analytics Fundamentals
  • GA IQ Test:  From here you can take one or more of the proof-of-proficiency tests offered by Google. Upon becoming individually qualified, you’ll receive a certificate.
  • Analytics for Niche Fields: You will find a playlist of Analytics for Agencies and for Developers, among others, on the YouTube channel.

Filed Under: Best Ranked Posts, How To, Industry Trends, Measurement

About Kami Huyse

Kami Watson Huyse, CEO of Zoetica, is passionate about great communication. Working in Public Relations since 1994, and blogging since 2005, she has seen trends come and go, but one thing has stayed the same – people are looking for ways to authentically connect. She loves to connect with readers, so leave a comment or follow @kamichat on Twitter and connect there.

Comments

  1. Sunday says

    June 7, 2014 at 3:51 am

    Well, a positive review is put for Universal Analytics. This tool seems to be an improvement on the Google Analytics. However, I see that the basic principles remain the same.

    To me, what matters is that users should get better experience when using this to scale data for decision making.

    The user experience, versatility of features, and scalability of data are features I find interesting in Analytics tools.

    I left this comment in kingged.com where this post was shared for Internet marketers.

    Sunday – kingged.com contributor

    http://kingged.com/google-analytics-dead-meet-universal-analytics/

  2. suresh e says

    June 7, 2014 at 9:04 am

    They have said to upgrade, but trying did not worked. I am still
    waiting for the day to upgrade mine. I just went to upgrade but still
    Google Analytics not showing to upgrade.
    It might be same as the past Analytics, but with different aspects and much more for new devices.

    I read 3 tips from your article and looks great. In these days lead
    generation is gone bad, but most business owners want this things.
    I found this article on http://kingged.com/google-analytics-dead-meet-universal-analytics

  3. Ryan Biddulph says

    June 7, 2014 at 12:06 pm

    Seems like a power upgrade to me, from GA. Thanks Kami!

  4. Swaraj Nandedkar says

    June 8, 2014 at 3:51 am

    Hello kami,
    Thank you for sharing this news with us. Great to hear about Universal analytics. Google is providing some awesome features to its users.

    Recently, i upgraded to Google Universal Analytics. Thank you again for this news!
    well, i found this post on http://www.kingged.com and Kingged it.

  5. Emmanuel Cudjoe says

    June 8, 2014 at 11:00 am

    There seemed to be lots of doubt about the future of Google Analytics during its early stages and it appears Google themselves have made their critics right.

    What I want to know is this; what will happen if one doesn’t move to this universal thing? Statscounter had being my favourite and I guess had to move back to them as soon as possible.

    • Kami Watson Huyse says

      June 27, 2014 at 10:06 am

      I think that this might be an upgrade. Google Analytics is being rebranded, IMO.

Trackbacks

  1. Monday Roundup: Digital Business at Waxing UnLyrical says:
    August 4, 2014 at 7:00 am

    […] 4. Google Analytics is Dead as We Know It: Meet Universal Analytics […]

  2. New Google "Universal" Analytics Tracking Code - Dealer Integrations says:
    December 4, 2014 at 4:07 pm

    […] Google Analytics is Dead as We Know It: Meet Universal Analytics […]

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