How to Add Google Ads Reports to Google Analytics (GA4)
In GA3, everyone was familiar with viewing Google Ads reports under Acquisition. However, after moving to Google Analytics (GA4), this report is no longer shown by default. Users therefore need to set it up again to view Google Ads performance in GA4. Optimus explains how to set up a Google Ads report in GA4 below:
Link your GA4 and Google Ads accounts
Go to GA4, Admin -> Property -> Google Ads Links -> Link. Then select the account to link. Note that you need administrative access in both GA4 and Google Ads.
Create a Google Ads report in GA4
Go to GA4, Explore -> Blank -> the report creation screen opens
Variables
Exploration name: Name the report
Segments: lets you group the data you want to track. To view a Google Ads report, select session source / medium contains Google / cpc to track Google Ads data.
Dimensions: select dimensions to track Google Ads performance. Note that in GA3, the Campaign dimension includes data from Google Ads campaigns and utm_campaign. GA4 separates the events, so to track Google Ads dimensions, select only events containing “Google Ads”, such as:
Google Ads campaign
Google Ads ad group
Google Ads keywords
Google Ads search query
Metrics: select metrics to track alongside the dimensions above. Similarly, select only metrics containing “Google Ads”, such as:
Google Ads impressions
Google Ads cost
Google Ads clicks
Google Ads cost per click
Some metrics that work with Google Ads dimensions, such as Bounce rate, Conversions and Sessions, can also be added to the report
Tab settings
Double-click the dimensions and metrics to move them to Tab settings. These dimensions and metrics will appear in the report.
Technique: the methods for presenting data. OTM uses Free form here.
Visualization: the chart types used to present data. OTM uses Table.
Segment comparisons: compares performance across segments. I will leave this blank for now, since I only need to track Google Ads.
Rows: add dimensions here to display the data you want to view in rows. To keep things simple, add just one dimension to the report, for example the Campaign dimension.
The options below mainly customize how rows are displayed. Most people are already familiar with these, so OTM will not go into detail
Columns: add dimensions here to display the data you want to view in columns. If you have already added dimensions to Rows, adding dimensions to Columns can make the data table quite hard to follow, so you can leave this blank.
Values: add metrics here to display the figures you want to view
Cell type: lets you customize how data appears in the report. Try the options to find the display that best suits your analysis
Filters: if the report table contains too much data, filter by specific dimensions or metrics to track.
The resulting data table looks like this:
Conclusion
When moving from GA3 to GA4, you need to set things up again to view Google Ads performance in GA4 by linking your GA4 and Google Ads accounts. Then go to Explore to create a separate Google Ads report using the corresponding dimensions and metrics.
If you need help creating custom reports or would like to learn about other digital marketing services, contact Optimus, an agency providing advertising services with experience setting up GA4.
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