Introduction
If you want to perform at your best you need data. This is where Google Analytics 4 (GA4) comes into play. The updated version of analytics is both useful and complicated. Many people have questions that are still unanswered.
Today the Cindtoro team is going to take a deep dive into what event count is in Google Analytics 4, teach you how to find it and how to use it in your marketing and data tracking efforts.
What is Event Count in Google Analytics (GA4)
So, what is Event Count in Google Analytics? Google Analytics 4 (GA4), “event count” refers to the total number of times a specific event occurred on your website or app within a given time frame. Its main use is to measure the frequency of user interactions with a particular element or action taken on your website.
An event count differs from event parameters which, on the other hand, provide additional, specific details about an event.
Where to Find Event Count in GA4
If you want to measure event count in GA4 you have to know how to find it. Depending on your use case for Google Analytics there are different ways to find event count.
Below is a step-by-step process to locate event count in using three different ways:
The Basic Way
The basic way is the easiest way to find Google Analytics events. This is also the most common way most users get to it.
Reports > Engagement > Events
Step One (1)
Step Two (2)
In the left hand side bar click on “engagement” located under “life cycle” then click on “Events”
Step Three (3)
You’ll know you are in the right place place when you see a table that list all the events.
Exploration (Via Custom Reports)
Exploration is the next way you can see event count. This is great for custom reporting and advanced users.
Step One (1)
From the Google Analytics 4 dashboard in the top left hand courner of the screen click the “Explore” tab.
Step Two (2)
In this example we’ll use a blank exploration. Click it to open the next window.
Step Three (3)
When the next window opens click on the “metrics” in the left hand side of the screen. Then click on the “Event” dropdown” then click on the events you want to explore.
DebugView
The DebugView is used when you need to see if event counts triggering correctly and is commonly used for real time event tracking and “Debugging”
Step One (1)
First in the bottom left hand fourner of the screen click on the “Admin Tab”
Step Two (2)
After you have opened the admin panel go to the “DebugView” at the bottom left hand side of the screen
Step Three (3)
You’ll know that you are in the right place when you see this screen here.
How Event Count Works in GA4
Google Analytics Event count works by logging specific actions a user takes on your website. There are various different types of event logs they are automatically collected, enhanced measurement, recommended, and custom.
What happens when a user has multiple triggers on an event?
The most common events that trigger multiple times are button clicks, scrolls or page views. There are settings you can apply to tell Google how to handle these. But by default these things happen Google will log multiple events for a single user.
Unique events vs Total event count
Better performance tracking comes down to analyzing event data. There is no better place to start than with an additional explanation of the two most important ways events are triggered. We have two different types of events that will help you understand user behavior better.
Total Event Count
Total event count: collects all events (for that specific event) regardless of the number of times a user may have triggered it within a single session.
A great example of this is: if a user clicks a button three times in one session, the total event count would be three.
Unique Event Count
Unique Event Count: Are events that will give you valuable insights into user behavior and are often used to understand how many users have engaged with a specific event or triggered a particular action at least once within a timeframe.
An example of this would be: a user clicking a button three times in a session the unique event count will filter the three clicks down to one (1) as the event (button click) has already been registered for that session.
Common Use Cases of Event Count in GA4
For the most part Google Analytics Events will be used to measure specific user engagement and behaviors. These are the most common:
- Tracking conversions
- Measuring user Engagement
- Monitoring user behavior flows
Tracking Conversions
Tracking conversions (now renamed key events) will allow you to track the most specific events that are important to your business. These are commonly form submissions, phone calls, purchases or views of a key page.
Measuring user engagement
Measuring user engagement is important to making the data driven decisions that your business needs to thrive. These are typically things such as scroll depth, video plays or views of a key page.
Here is a great example: understanding how far a user scrolls on your webpage will help you identify if you should move around key pieces of content which will likely translate into an increased conversion rate.
Monitoring user behavior flows
With key events you can also monitor user behavior flows. This will help you see the customer journey that a user is taking on your website. You can then use this data to make changes accordingly to however you see fit.
Event Count Best Practices
Regularly Track and Analyze Events
You should always use GA4 events to track and analyze the data that flows into your property. If you do not know the drivers behind the success of your business online then you will never be able to make improvements.
Consider What is Important
Every business will be unique. Always consider who or how your business caters to clients and what actions are important to track. You can get a vast amount of data out of Google Analytics 4 and it can be overwhelming at times. You do not need to analyze event counts for everything under the sun. Only those that are relevant for your business should be used.
Use Event Count To AB Test
Use event count in google analytics to AB test different ideas. You may discover that by regularly reviewing your data you will uncover unique opportunities that may be used for AB testing. This will allow you to optimize for specific conversions helping to drive more revenue out of your current and future marketing campaigns.
Other Ways to Use Event Count to Improve Your Analytics Strategy
Identifying drop-off points in user journeys
A Google Analytics event can be highly useful for understanding potential drop off points in a user journey. It can also be used to uncover hidden technical SEO issues. (other issues that hold your website back from the success it deserves.) This can help you uncover issues like broken pages.
We recommend reading: How Google Analytics is used for Technical SEO
Custom audiences from events
Based on the events that you collect you can use these to create custom audiences which can be used in SEO, or advertising campaigns.
A custom audience will help you take full advantage over the direction of your businesses marketing efforts and will make sure that none of the important things fall through the cracks.
Conclusion
Understanding what event count is in google analytics is only half the battle. Now you need to track it. Follow the steps we laid out above to find event count in analytics.
Get a handle on your user engagement and behavior and start making data drive decisions today. Need help setting up Google Analytics 4?
Contact our team or order an analytics audit to ensure you are tracking your data in the most efficient way possible.