How to Find Page Views in Google Analytics 4

Finding the number of page views in Google Analytics 4 isn't as simple as it was in the old Universal Analytics. If you've been clicking around trying to find that familiar metric, you're not alone. GA4 works differently, focusing on events rather than the old session-based model. This guide will walk you through exactly where to find page view data, how to build reports to see your most popular content, and how to analyze that information effectively.

Before We Begin: Why Are Page Views Different in GA4?

The biggest change between Universal Analytics (UA) and Google Analytics 4 is the data model. UA was built around sessions and page views. Everything revolved around a user starting a session and viewing a series of pages within that session.

GA4 is built around events. Everything a user does is considered an event - from starting a session (session_start) to watching a video (video_progress) to, yes, viewing a page. In GA4, every time someone loads one of your website pages, a page_view event is triggered.

So, instead of a dedicated "Pageviews" metric, what you're really looking for is the total count of the page_view event. GA4 still calls this metric "Views" in its reports to make things a little easier.

Here's what these terms mean in GA4:

Views: This is the metric that replaced "Pageviews." It is a count of the number of times users viewed a particular page or screen. It's the total count of page_view events.
Users: This is the count of unique users who viewed a page. If one person visits your homepage five times, GA4 will count 5 views and 1 user for that page.
Event Count: This is the total number of all events that were triggered. The "Views" metric is essentially a filtered version of the Event Count that only shows page_view events.

Method 1: The Quickest Way to Find Page Views (The 'Pages and Screens' Report)

For a fast, straightforward list of your most popular pages ranked by views, the standard 'Pages and Screens' report is your best friend. This is the closest equivalent to the "All Pages" report in Universal Analytics.

Follow these simple steps:

Log into your Google Analytics 4 property.
On the left-hand navigation menu, click on Reports.
Under the "Life cycle" collection, expand the Engagement section.
Click on Pages and screens.

You’ll now see a table showing data for all your website pages and app screens. By default, the table is sorted by "Views," showing your most-visited pages at the top.

In this table, you'll see several important metrics:

Page title and screen class: The title of your page (what's in the <title> tag) or the name of your app screen.
Views: The total number of times each page was viewed. This is your pageviews metric!
Users: The total number of unique users who viewed each page.
Views per user: The average number of times each user viewed the page.
Average engagement time: How long, on average, users actively kept your page in the foreground of their browsers.

Method 2: The Flexible Way - Build a Custom Page View Report Using Explorer

If the standard 'Pages and Screens' report isn't enough for you, there's a more customizable option: use GA4's Explorer tool. It allows you to dive deeper into data and tailor reports to meet specific needs.

Building Your Custom Page Views Report

Log in to your GA4 property and on the left-hand navigation, click on Explore.
Select an "exploration" from the template gallery or start a new one if you want to create your own.
On the right-side panel, create a table. You’ll start by adding dimensions and metrics in the left sidebar.
Under the "Dimensions" section, click the + icon. Search for and select Page title and screen class.
Click Import.
Still in the "Dimensions" section, click the + icon. Search for and select Views, Users, and Average engagement time.
Click Import.

Now that you have all the essential building blocks, it's time to customize your report further. Adjust parameters and add filters to refine the data view. For example, if you only want to see page views from mobile devices:

Drag the Device category dimension into the filter box. Select "matches regex" and enter mobile in the field.

Adding Context: Analyzing Page Views Effectively

Just knowing how many page views you're getting is only half the story. The real value is understanding why the numbers look the way they do. Here are a few ways to analyze page view data to uncover meaningful insights:

Compare Date Ranges

One of the easiest ways to see a big-picture pattern is to compare two separate time frames. Change the date range in your "Pages and Screens" report and set the date dropdown to "Compare." Then, select the previous period. A lot of growth (+ or -) next to a number on your page will show if the performance of your content has declined, giving you an instant strategic insight.

Align Your Traffic Sources

Did those views come from organic search, social media, or email? Adding engagement metrics helps outline the effectiveness of your marketing strategy. In your Custom Explorer report, add a Source / medium dimension. That way, you can see which channels like Google, Facebook, or email campaigns are driving the most views to each content piece.

Drill Down on Your Most Important KPI: Engagement

How often are people engaging with the views? The term "engagement" is a broad one, and it includes metrics like average time and average engagement time. These tell you how well the strategy you are implementing is holding your audience's attention.

Average Engagement Time: This metric shows how sticky your content is - essentially how long, on average, each visitor remains on your page.
Engagement Rate: This is the percentage of sessions that weren't quickly abandoned, a good sign someone enjoyed the website (i.e., clicking, scrolling, or navigating). A high engagement rate means users are finding your content valuable.

Final Thoughts

In GA4, all page views are tracked as page_view events and can be accessed using the various methods described. A well-structured report, whether using the standard "Pages and screens" report or a custom Explorer report, should be a vital tool in the inventory of every digital marketer. This data helps you understand where adjustments should be made or which content requires more visibility for an improved experience. Using additional analytics like Engagement Metrics provides layers of meaningful insights.

While understanding ongoing shifts can empower you to create better content, it will also help you to answer important questions like, "Why is this page getting so many views?" Taking that exploration route will take less than a few minutes, and Graphed will never fail to offer insights on your experience. Join Graphed for a flawless analytical experience.