Google Analytics 4 now houses the ability to link Google Search Console directly into GA4, paving the way for additional GA4 reports. In this article, we’re going to walk through the process of integrating GSC into GA4.
The integration with Google Search Console enables you to analyse organic search-related data for your site. For example, you can now see where your site ranked in search results, which queries lead to clicks, and how those clicks translate to user behaviour.
How do I link my search console to analytics?
Linking a Google Search Console property to GA4 is fairly straightforward and shouldn’t take you longer than 5 minutes. Here’s how to do it directly from Google Analytics 4:
Step 1: In Admin, ensure that you have the correct account and property selected.
Step 2: Within the Property column, under Product Linking, click Search Console Linking.
Step 3: In the link table, select Link.
Step 4: If you are a verified owner of one or more Search Console properties, in the row for Link to Search Console properties I manage, click Choose accounts, and then select the appropriate account that you wish to link your property to.
Step 5: Click Confirm.
Step 6: Click Next.
Step 7: Select the web data stream for your site.
Step 8: Click Next, and then review and submit your selected configuration settings.
What data will import from Google Search Console to GA4?
When you connect a Google Search Console property to a Google Analytics 4 property, there will be four dimensions that will import:
- Search queries
- Landing pages
- Countries
- Devices
With regards to metrics, the following will be available upon the successful Google Search Console / Google Analytics 4 integration:
- Users
- Ad revenue
- Event count
- Conversions
- Engagement rate
- Engaged sessions
- Average engagement time
- Organic Google search clicks
- Organic Google search impressions
- Organic Google search average position
- Organic Google search click-through rate
How do I find Search Console data in Google Analytics?
Once you have successfully linked Search Console with Analytics, Google Search Console data will begin appearing as two additional tiles. Navigate to Reports > Acquisition > Acquisition overview.
If you want to take a bit of a deeper dive and uncover some more detailed reports, click the link at the bottom of each tile.
How do I add Google Search Console reports to the GA4 interface sidebar?
In the case where you want to quickly access Search Console reports from the main sidebar (and we all do), here’s how you can do it as opposed to having to go into acquisition reports each time.
In Google Analytics 4, go to Reports > Library. You will see a new widget named Search Console. In the current state, it will display as Unpublished. Expand the 3-dot menu alongside it and select Publish.
As great as it is to have the ability to access GSC reports directly from GA4, there are some limitations. For example, time-series/line charts are not available in the Google Search Console reports within GA4.
All in all, it makes sense that GA4’s GSC integration has limitations; after all – GA4 was not designed to replace GSC, but to provide marketers with a more holistic view and understanding of their website data. However, it would be neat to have absolutely everything all in one place in its entirety.
