Google Analytics 4 - GA4 Cheat Sheet

Updated 2026-05-17

Google Analytics 4 represents a fundamental shift from session-based tracking to event-based measurement, designed for cross-platform user journeys in a privacy-first world. Unlike Universal Analytics, GA4 uses machine learning to fill data gaps, predictive metrics to forecast user behavior, and flexible event structures that capture what matters to your business — not just pageviews. Understanding GA4's reporting identity models (device-based, observed, and modeled) determines whether you're analyzing actual behavior or statistical estimates, making it critical to configure Google Signals, consent mode, and data retention correctly from day one.

What This Cheat Sheet Covers

This topic spans 32 focused tables and 173 indexed concepts. Below is a complete table-by-table outline of this topic, spanning foundational concepts through advanced details.

Table 1: Event Tracking ModelTable 2: Conversions and Key EventsTable 3: Audiences and SegmentsTable 4: Standard Reports OverviewTable 5: Exploration Report TypesTable 6: Attribution ModelsTable 7: Channel GroupingsTable 8: Dimensions and MetricsTable 9: Data Streams and Property SetupTable 10: DebugView and TestingTable 11: BigQuery IntegrationTable 12: User Properties and Custom DefinitionsTable 13: Predictive Metrics and AudiencesTable 14: Enhanced MeasurementTable 15: Engagement MetricsTable 16: E-commerce Tracking (Enhanced E-commerce)Table 17: Data Filters and ComparisonsTable 18: User Lifetime ValueTable 19: Cross-Domain TrackingTable 20: Admin Settings and Property ManagementTable 21: Remarketing and Audience ExportTable 22: GA4 Data API and Programmatic AccessTable 23: Consent Mode and PrivacyTable 24: Calculated Metrics and FormulasTable 25: Data Import and Offline ConversionsTable 26: Annotations and Change TrackingTable 27: Session Timeout and ConfigurationTable 28: Google Signals and Cross-DeviceTable 29: Data Retention SettingsTable 30: Monetization ReportsTable 31: Traffic Sources and UTM ParametersTable 32: Server-Side Tagging (sGTM)

Table 1: Event Tracking Model

GA4's event-based architecture replaces Universal Analytics' hit types with a unified event model where every interaction — pageviews, clicks, conversions, or custom actions — is an event. Events carry parameters that provide context, and parameters become dimensions when you register them as custom definitions.

Event Type	Example	Description
Automatically collected events	`first_visit` `session_start` `page_view`	• Fire automatically when the gtag or Google tag is installed; no configuration needed. • Includes core engagement events like scroll and user_engagement. • Cannot be modified or disabled (except via data filters).
Enhanced measurement events	`scroll` `click` `form_start` `form_submit`	• Optional automatic events enabled via Data Streams settings; no code required. • Tracks scrolls (90% depth), outbound clicks, site search, video engagement, file downloads, and form interactions. • Toggle individual events on/off in Admin > Data Streams > Configure tag settings.
Recommended events	`login` `sign_up` `purchase` `search`	• Predefined event names with standard parameters that Google recognizes across industries. • Use these instead of custom names for e-commerce (`add_to_cart`, `view_item`), gaming (`level_up`), and other common actions. • Ensures compatibility with Google Ads and future GA4 features.

Table 1: Event Tracking Model

Event Type	Example	Description
Automatically collected events	`first_visit` `session_start` `page_view`	• Fire automatically when the gtag or Google tag is installed; no configuration needed. • Includes core engagement events like scroll and user_engagement. • Cannot be modified or disabled (except via data filters).
Enhanced measurement events	`scroll` `click` `form_start` `form_submit`	• Optional automatic events enabled via Data Streams settings; no code required. • Tracks scrolls (90% depth), outbound clicks, site search, video engagement, file downloads, and form interactions. • Toggle individual events on/off in Admin > Data Streams > Configure tag settings.
Recommended events	`login` `sign_up` `purchase` `search`	• Predefined event names with standard parameters that Google recognizes across industries. • Use these instead of custom names for e-commerce (`add_to_cart`, `view_item`), gaming (`level_up`), and other common actions. • Ensures compatibility with Google Ads and future GA4 features.