Custom dimension types
Depending on the information you want to collect in your own way, you greece mobile database can create different types of custom dimensions:
User-centric custom dimensions allow you to analyze user-related attributes that describe groups of your user base, such as age, language, or country.
Custom event-focused dimensions are about interactions that happen on your website. They can be any event parameter created for recommended events or custom events, such as lead_generation or login.
Item-scoped custom dimensions, mainly used on e-commerce websites or ap ken mcdonald chief growth officer (marketing / sales) lications , allow for deeper analysis of information related to an
item, such as an add to cart or purchase.
Before creating custom dimensions for more detailed data analysis , it’s a go vietnam data od idea to check whether these attributes already exist as automatic events predefined by GA4 or as options within advanced measurement events.
To see if the data you want to analyze is already providin
g automatic events, you can consult the list that Google An
alytics offers under Automatically collected events . These events are collected automatically, so the user does not need to take any additional action.
This does not apply to enhanced measurement events, which must be enabled within your GA4 account if you want to collect this information.
To enable these attributes, go to Administration > Data Flows > Events > Advanced Measurement.
GA4 – Extended Measurement Events
If the information you want to analyze is not included within these automatic events, we recommend creating it as a custom dimension.
How to set custom dimensions
Regardless of the type of custom dimension, it must be created through Google Tag Manager. Below is a step-by-step guide to configuring a custom dimension with event scope.
Before you begin, make sure your GA4 and Google Tag Manager accounts are properly configured and linked.
Next, you need to define and create which event parameter you want and submit it as a custom dimension in GA4.
Since this is a manually configured event parameter that is only available in Google Tag Manager, it won’t be enough for GA4 to automatically include it in your reports. You will need to notify GA4 of it in Administration > Data Views > Custom Definitions.
Then click Create Custom Dimension to create your own definition with information from the event parameter.
Collecting data for a custom dimension
Data for newly created custom dimensions will only start to be collected once you activate the dimension. GA4 typically takes a few hours for the first data to appear.
Analyzing your own dimensions using surveys and reports
In GA4, you can analyze custom dimensions mainly in Surveys and Reports :
Using surveys in GA4
Explorations allow you to analyze in detail and creat
e your own reports based on dimensions and metrics.
- Create a new survey : Go to Surveys and s
- elect Blank Survey or choose one of the predefined types.
- Select a custom dimension : In the Dimensions section , find your custom dimension and drag it into the report. You can combine it with other metrics or dimensions.
- Filter data : Use filters to track specific events
- or user interactions. For example, you can use custom dimensions here to track specific users by device type, geographic location, or action.
Using reports in GA4
For basic analysis, you can also add custom dimensions directly to reports in GA4:
- Go to Reports : Select the Reports section and select Live Report or other user behavior reports.
- Add a custom dimension as a segment or filter : Add a custom dimension as a segment or filter in your report and see how it impacts specific interactions.
Data export and visualization
For more advanced analysis and visualization, you can export and process data from GA4 in external tools:
- Google BigQuery : If you have a larger dataset, you c
- an connect your GA4 data to BigQuery. This gives you access to robust SQL queries and analysis capabilities that allow you to work more deeply with your own dimensions.
- Google Data Studio : Connecting to Data Studio is simple and allows you to create your own visualizations and dashboards for easier presentation of data from your own dimensions.
GA4 – New custom dimension
Now that your custom dimension is created, use DebugView to check that it is being collected and configured correctly. You can also track the total number of custom dimensions created in your