How do I set up a Google Analytics 4 property?

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Applies to: Google Analytics 4 (GA4)
Last updated: May 2025

Problem

You want to start using Google Analytics 4 to track website or app traffic, but you’re not sure how to create a new GA4 property and get it collecting data.

Solution

To start using GA4, you’ll create a new property in your Google Analytics account, then set up a data stream (e.g., website), and finally install the tracking code on your site.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Go to Google Analytics

2. Create a New GA4 Property

  1. Click the Admin (⚙️) gear icon in the lower-left corner
  2. Under the Account column, select an existing account or create a new one
  3. Under the Property column, click “+ Create Property”
  4. Enter:
    • Property name (e.g., “My Website GA4”)
    • Time zone and currency
  5. Click Next, then select your business category and size
  6. Click Create

3. Set Up a Data Stream

  1. Choose the platform: Web, iOS app, or Android app
    (Most users select Web for websites)
  2. Enter:
    • Website URL
    • Stream name (e.g., “Main Site”)
  3. Click Create Stream

4. Get Your Measurement ID

  • After creating the data stream, you’ll see a Measurement ID (e.g., G-XXXXXXXXXX)
  • This is the unique identifier you’ll use to send data to GA4

5. Add GA4 to Your Website

Option A: Using gtag.js
  1. Copy the provided global site tag from the setup instructions
  2. Paste it into your site’s <head> section on every page: <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-XXXXXXXXXX"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-XXXXXXXXXX'); </script>
Option B: Using Google Tag Manager
  • If you use GTM, you can add GA4 via a GA4 Configuration Tag using your Measurement ID

6. Verify Installation

  • Go back to Admin > Data Streams
  • Open your stream and click “Realtime” in the left-hand menu
  • Visit your website in another tab — you should appear as an active user in real time

Notes

  • GA4 is now the default property type — Universal Analytics has been sunset as of July 2023
  • You can create multiple streams under a single GA4 property (e.g., one for website, one for app)
  • Use Google Tag Assistant or the GA DebugView to test if tags are firing correctly

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