Google Analytics 4 now helps creating and/or modifying occasions utilizing common expressions, regex. This might help you migrate locations and occasion targets from Common Analytics to Google Analytics 4 in a extra programmatic trend.
Extra particulars. Google stated the brand new characteristic and choices allow you to outline conversions utilizing common expressions (regex) for internet information streams. Simply watch out with regex, it will possibly get technical and it is rather choosy.
Why we care. As we method the deadline for the GA4 migration from UA3, which is now 87 days away, some at the moment are dashing emigrate not simply to GA4 but additionally emigrate all their targets and occasions. This will assist a few of you with that migration since regex is usually a tremendous highly effective solution to match outdated occasions and migrate them in a extra programmatic method.
The way it works. Google explained that to keep away from utilizing malformed regex which will impression your website efficiency, comply with these greatest practices:
- Earlier than you utilize regex, use different operators the place doable (e.g., precise matches, accommodates).
- Check your regex towards anticipated inputs and make sure that it’s matching what you anticipate.
- If case sensitivity is vital, specify your regex to be case delicate. Use the choice that doesn’t say “(ignore case)”.
Google notes you must keep away from unbounded or nested repetitions the place matching time can improve exponentially. Additionally ensure that to outline a most variety of anticipated repetitions.
What it appears to be like like. Here’s a screenshot of this interface for utilizing common expressions:
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In regards to the creator
Barry Schwartz a Contributing Editor to Search Engine Land and a member of the programming staff for SMX occasions. He owns RustyBrick, a NY based mostly internet consulting agency. He additionally runs Search Engine Roundtable, a preferred search weblog on very superior SEM matters. Barry will be adopted on Twitter here.
