How to Find Google Analytics Tracking ID

Your Google Analytics Tracking ID is the crucial link between your website and your analytics data. Without it, none of your website's activity - page views, user sessions, or conversions - will be recorded. This guide will show you exactly where to find your tracking ID for both the newer Google Analytics 4 and the older Universal Analytics (UA).

What is a Google Analytics Tracking ID, Exactly?

Think of a Google Analytics Tracking ID as a unique postal address for your website's data. When a user visits your site, the GA code snippet you installed sends off a package of information. The tracking ID tells that package exactly which Google Analytics account and property it belongs to, so all your user data ends up in the right place.

Over the years, the format for this ID has changed. You'll likely encounter one of two types:

• Measurement ID (for Google Analytics 4): This is the current standard. It follows the format G-XXXXXXXXXX. If you set up Google Analytics recently, this is the ID you'll have and need.
• Tracking ID (for Universal Analytics): This is the legacy format that follows the pattern UA-XXXXXXXXX-X. While Universal Analytics stopped processing new data on July 1, 2023, you might still need to find this ID if you're working with an older website or a service that hasn't updated to a GA4 integration.

Simply put, the "Measurement ID" has replaced the "Tracking ID," but they serve the same core purpose: connecting your site to the right GA property.

How to Find Your Measurement ID in Google Analytics 4

For anyone using the current version of Google Analytics, you're looking for a Measurement ID. Finding it only takes a minute once you know where to click. Follow these simple steps.

Step 1: Log in to Google Analytics

Head over to the Google Analytics homepage and sign in with the Google account associated with your property.

Step 2: Navigate to the Admin Panel

Once you're logged in, look for the gear icon labeled "Admin" in the bottom-left corner of your screen and click on it. This will take you to the backend settings for your account.

Step 3: Make Sure You're in the Right Property

The Admin screen is divided into two columns: Account and Property. If you manage multiple websites, make sure you have the correct Account and Property selected in the dropdown menus at the top of these columns. The property you're looking for will be a GA4 property.

Step 4: Go to "Data Streams"

In the Property column (the one on the right), look for the option called "Data Streams" and click on it. A data stream is essentially a source of data flowing into your Google Analytics property, like your website or a mobile app.

Step 5: Select Your Web Data Stream

On the next screen, you'll see a list of the data streams you've set up. Most businesses will only have one, which represents their website. Click on your website's data stream to open its details.

Step 6: Copy Your Measurement ID

That's it! Your Measurement ID will be displayed in the top-right corner of the stream details page, clearly labeled. It will start with "G-". You can click the copy icon next to it to easily grab it for pasting elsewhere.

How to Find Your Tracking ID in Universal Analytics (UA)

If you're managing a legacy website or need to find an old Tracking ID for historical reasons, the process is slightly different. Keep in mind that as of July 1, 2023, Universal Analytics properties no longer process new hits. Still, you might need to find this ID for older integrations.

Step 1: Log in and Go to Admin

Just like with GA4, start by logging into your Google Analytics account and clicking the "Admin" gear icon in the bottom-left corner.

Step 2: Select Your Universal Analytics Property

In the admin dashboard, make sure you've selected the correct Account. Then, in the Property dropdown menu, select the Universal Analytics property you need. Its ID, visible in the dropdown, will start with "UA-" which lets you know you've chosen the right type.

Step 3: Go to "Tracking Info"

In the Property column for your selected UA property, find and click on the "Tracking Info" option. This will expand a small sub-menu.

Step 4: Click on "Tracking Code"

From the sub-menu that appears, click on "Tracking Code". This will take you to the page containing your unique Tracking ID and the global site tag script.

Step 5: Find Your Tracking ID

Your Tracking ID will be prominently displayed at the top of this page, starting with "UA-". This is the ID you'll use for any platforms or plugins that specifically require the old Universal Analytics format.

Where to Use Your Google Analytics Tracking ID

Finding the ID is just the first step. You need to actually install it on your website for Google Analytics to start collecting data. Where you paste this ID depends on how your website is built.

• WordPress Websites: The easiest method is to use a plugin like Site Kit by Google, MonsterInsights, or Analytify. These plugins provide a simple field in their settings where you just paste your Measurement ID (G-XXXXXXXXXX) and the plugin handles adding the tracking code to your site correctly.
• Website Builders (Wix, Squarespace, Shopify): Most modern website builders have a dedicated integration for Google Analytics. You typically go to the Marketing or Analytics section in your site's settings, find the Google Analytics field, and paste your Measurement ID there. No coding is required.
• Directly in Your Site's Code: If you're not using a CMS or plugin, you'll need to use the full Global Site Tag (gtag.js) script. In Google Analytics, right below your Measurement ID (in the Data Stream details), you can find the entire code snippet. Copy this snippet and paste it into the <head> section of every page on your website.
• Google Tag Manager (GTM): If you use GTM to manage your website's scripts, you don't paste the Measurement ID directly into your site. Instead, you create a new Tag in GTM of the type "Google Analytics: GA4 Configuration," and you paste your Measurement ID into the designated field within that tag.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting Tips

Sometimes things don't go as planned. Here are a few common stumbling blocks you might run into and how to solve them.

"A plugin is asking for a 'UA-' ID, but I only have a 'G-' ID."

This is a frequent issue. It means the plugin, theme, or platform you're using is outdated and hasn't yet been updated to support Google Analytics 4. Your best bet is to look for an alternative plugin that supports GA4 or check the developer's documentation for an update. Forcing it to accept the wrong ID format will not work.

"I can't see 'Data Streams' in the Admin panel."

This tells you that you are currently viewing a Universal Analytics property, not a GA4 property. To fix this, use the Property dropdown selector at the top of the middle column and switch to the correct GA4 property. If you need the UA ID, look for "Tracking Info" > "Tracking Code" instead.

"I don't have any properties or data streams."

If your account is brand new, you won't have a tracking ID yet because you haven't created a property. You'll need to go to Admin > Create Property and follow the on-screen instructions to set up your first GA4 property and web data stream. Google Analytics will automatically generate a Measurement ID for you at the end of the process.

Final Thoughts

Locating your Google Analytics Measurement ID is a straightforward but essential process for tracking your website's performance. Whether you're setting up a new site on GA4 or maintaining an older one with Universal Analytics, following these steps will help you find the correct identifier in just a few clicks so you can start gathering valuable data.

Once you connect your analytics and data starts flowing in, the real challenge begins: turning all those charts and numbers into actionable insights. Instead of spending hours digging through complex reports, we built Graphed to do the heavy lifting for you. We connect to your data sources like Google Analytics, and you can build dashboards and get answers instantly, just by asking questions. You can ask "Show me my top landing pages by sessions last month" and get a report in seconds, not hours.