> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.smaq.io/documentation/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.smaq.io/documentation/connections/ga4.md).

# Google Analytics 4

GA4 is the most commonly-connected source in SMAQ — it grounds nearly every cross-channel analysis.

### What SMAQ pulls

* Sessions, users, conversion events
* Channel/source/medium attribution
* Ecommerce events (item views, add-to-cart, purchases, refunds)
* Landing pages, devices, geography
* Custom dimensions and metrics you've defined in GA4

### What you'll need

* A Google account with **at least Viewer access** on the GA4 property you want to connect.
* The GA4 property ID (auto-detected during the flow).

### Steps to connect

1. In your project, click **Data Source → Add data source**.
2. Pick **Google Analytics 4**.
3. Click **Connect to a new Gmail account** (or pick an already-authorized account if you've connected another Google product before).
4. Grant SMAQ the requested read-only scopes — only the analytics scope is requested.
5. Pick the GA4 property from the dropdown.
6. Name the connection (e.g. "Acme Co - GA4") and optionally click **Test connection**.
7. Click **Connect**.

> **\[Screen video needed]** Full GA4 OAuth flow from "Connect to new Gmail account" through property selection to a successful connection. \~60 seconds.

> **\[Screenshot needed]** Property selection step showing one or more GA4 properties listed.

### After connecting

* SMAQ surfaces dozens of **global datablocks** ready to use immediately — ecommerce overview, channel mix, conversion funnel, landing page performance, etc.
* If your GA4 has ecommerce events enabled, the **Ecommerce Product Opportunity** automation becomes available in the Daily Brief.
* If GA4 is your only connection, the [Onboarding wizard audit](/documentation/get-started/quick-start/onboarding-wizard.md) runs the GA4 audit by default — broken tracking, mobile gaps, unattributed traffic.

### Tips

* **Pick the right property.** Many businesses have a "test" property alongside the production one. Confirm the property ID in your GA4 admin if you're unsure.
* **Ecommerce events**: make sure your site is firing the standard ecommerce events (`view_item`, `add_to_cart`, `purchase`). Without them, ecommerce datablocks return zeros.
* **Custom dimensions**: SMAQ picks up custom dimensions automatically, but they need to be **active** in GA4 (Admin → Custom definitions).

### Troubleshooting

* **"No properties found"** — the Google account you signed in with doesn't have Viewer access on any GA4 property. Add yourself in GA4 Admin → Property Access Management.
* **Data ends at a certain date** — GA4 has a 14-month historical retention by default. Check Admin → Data Retention.
* **Numbers don't match GA4 UI** — confirm date range, timezone, and any filters (sampling, identity space — Device/User). SMAQ uses unsampled Reporting API where possible.

### Related

* [Build your first dashboard](/documentation/get-started/tutorials/build-your-first-dashboard.md) — the tutorial uses GA4 as one source.
* [Run your first automation](/documentation/get-started/tutorials/run-your-first-automation.md) — Daily Brief depends on GA4 for ecommerce signals.