From 1st July 2023, Google have announced that they will discontinue the original version of analytics, Google Analytics Universal Analytics (UA). The replacement, Google Analytics Version 4 (GA4), is already available, and can now be used within Spotlight.
If you're already using GA4
You will be able to import using GA from the date at which you set this up. Please note that to do this, you must add the new GA4 integration.
Note: When importing in future, to avoid doubling of any values, please ensure that you do not import from both Google Analytics data sources for the same time period.
If you aren't yet using GA4
You should start using this as soon as possible - data from 1st July 2023 will only be reported on using GA4. You can find further details about GA4 in the Google Analytics help.
Connecting to Google Analytics
The first time you import data from Google Analytics, you’ll need to connect (integrate) Spotlight and Google Analytics together:
From the Import tab, click the Google Analytics data source. You can choose either Google Analytics (UA), or Google Analytics (GA4).
Click Continue. You'll then be redirected to Google.
Enter your Google account email address and click Next.
If the Google account you want to use isn't visible, use the Add Another Account option to add the account you need.
Enter your Google account password and, if required, authenticate the connection.
When prompted to allow Spotlight to access the data, click Allow.
You’ll be redirected back to Spotlight where you can start importing your data.
Import data from Google Analytics
From the Import tab, select the Google Analytics data source you want.
Note: If you have both the older UA and the new GA4 versions of Google Analytics connected, ensure that the date ranges for which you import each don't overlap. For example, you may want to import from the UA version up to and including June 23 and the GA4 version beyond this date.
Enter the date range, and select the website data you’d like to import. You must select at least one property.
To begin the import, click Import.
For any subsequent reports you don’t need to reimport the data you already have. Simply update the date range and/or pages and click Import to bring in the newest data. Reimporting data will override the existing figures relating to that data in Spotlight and any changes you’ve made to that existing data in Spotlight.
Removing integration
To delete all of your Google Analytics data, from the Import tab click the data source, then click the Remove Data Source link. If you have both Google Analytics data sources and want to remove all analytics data, you must repeat the process for each.
Note: Removing the account will permanently delete all of your Google Analytics data, along with any Report Code or Spotlight Display name changes that you have made, on the Customise Data tab. If you need this again, you will need to import and set this up as a new data source.
Common questions
I haven't set up Google Analytics (GA4). What do I need to do to use this?
If you didn't set up GA4 by March 2023, Google will have already set up a GA4 property for you, using the settings for your existing property, so you will be able to use this. You can find out more from their Help Centre.
Do I have to remove my old Google Analytics?
No, you can keep your old Google Analytics data source, and this data will feed into the same charts on your report. From 1st July 2023, all Google Analytics data must be imported using the GA4 data source, but you can import using this before that date if needed.
Will the charts in my report still work?
Yes - the data imported using GA4 is the same data and will report on the charts in the same way. If you have both data sources, the data will be combined on the charts.
Will you be adding any new charts or information?
At present the charts and information available are the same, however this may be reviewed in future.
