How to Get Google Analytics Property Tracking ID

Your Google Analytics Tracking ID is the key that connects your website to the powerful reporting in Google Analytics. But finding that critical string of numbers and letters has changed recently, causing a lot of confusion. We'll show you exactly where to find the ID you need, whether you're using the newer Google Analytics 4 or an older setup.

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This tutorial will cover how to find the Measurement ID in GA4, what to do with it once you have it, and clarify what happened to the old Universal Analytics Tracking ID.

GA4 Measurement ID vs. Universal Analytics Tracking ID

If you're looking for a "Tracking ID," you're likely thinking of the old Universal Analytics (UA) format, which looked like this: UA-XXXXXXXX-X. That was the standard for almost a decade. However, Google has shifted to a completely new system called Google Analytics 4.

Universal Analytics was built for a simpler time on the internet, primarily centered around website sessions and pageviews from desktop browsers. GA4 is built for the modern digital landscape, covering websites, apps, and various devices. It uses an event-based model, focusing on user interactions rather than just sessions.

Here's the new terminology you need to know:

• Universal Analytics used a "Tracking ID" (UA-XXXXXXXX-X).
• Google Analytics 4 uses a "Measurement ID" (G-XXXXXXXXXX).

Since July 1, 2023, Universal Analytics properties have stopped collecting new data. All new setups use Google Analytics 4. So if you're setting up a site today, you will be looking for a Measurement ID (G-ID), not a Tracking ID.

How to Find Your Measurement ID in Google Analytics 4

Finding your G-ID in GA4 is simple once you know where to look. Just follow these steps.

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Step 1: Log in to Google Analytics

First things first, head over to the Google Analytics website 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. Click on it to open the administrative settings.

Step 3: Select the Correct Account and Property

The Admin screen is divided into two columns: Account and Property. If you manage multiple websites or businesses, make sure you have the correct account and GA4 property selected from the dropdowns at the top of each column. A property is typically a website or an app that you are tracking.

Step 4: Click on "Data Streams"

In the Property column (the one on the right), find and click on "Data Streams." A data stream is essentially a source of data that feeds into your GA4 property, like your website or a mobile app.

Step 5: Select Your Web Data Stream

You will now see a list of the data streams you've set up. Most users will have one stream listed for their website. Click on it to open its details page. It will usually have your website's URL underneath the stream name.

Step 6: Copy Your Measurement ID

Success! On the details page for your data stream, you will see your Measurement ID in the top-right corner. It will start with "G-" followed by a string of letters and numbers. You can simply click the copy icon next to it to add it to your clipboard.

What To Do With Your Measurement ID

Now that you have your Measurement ID, you need to add it to your website so Google can start collecting data. The method you use depends entirely on how your website is built.

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1. Add it to a Website Builder or CMS Plugin (The Easy Way)

Most modern website platforms have a simple field where you just paste your Measurement ID. This is the easiest method and requires no code.

• WordPress: Use a plugin like Google's own Site Kit, MonsterInsights, or RankMath. During setup, these plugins will ask for your Measurement ID. Just paste it in the designated field.
• Shopify: In your Shopify admin, go to Online Store > Preferences. You'll find a section for Google Analytics where you can paste your Measurement ID directly.
• Squarespace: Go to Settings > Marketing > Marketing Tools (or a similar path) and find the Google Analytics integration. Paste your G-ID there.
• Wix: Navigate to Marketing & SEO > Marketing Integrations and connect your site to Google Analytics. It will guide you through adding the ID.

2. Add it Using Google Tag Manager (The Recommended Way)

For more advanced control over your tracking, Google Tag Manager (GTM) is the best option. Instead of adding many different code snippets to your site (like for Facebook Pixel, Google Ads, etc.), you just add the GTM snippet once. Then you manage all your other tags from within GTM's interface.

To set it up:

• Create a new tag in GTM and select the "Google Tag" type.
• In the 'Tag ID' field, paste your "G-" Measurement ID.
• For the trigger, choose "Initialization - All Pages" to make sure it fires as early as possible on every page.
• Save and publish your changes.

3. Add the Global Site Tag (gtag.js) Directly to Your Website's Code

If you're not using a CMS with a simple integration and don't want to use Google Tag Manager, you can add the tracking code directly to your website's HTML.

Inside GA4, on the same 'Data Streams' page where you found your Measurement ID, look for the section titled "View tag instructions." Here, Google provides you with a JavaScript snippet. It will look something like this:

<!-- Global site tag (gtag.js) - Google Analytics -->
<script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-XXXXXXXXXX"></script>
<script>
  window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || [],
  function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments),}
  gtag('js', new Date()),

  gtag('config', 'G-XXXXXXXXXX'),
</script>

You need to copy this entire snippet and paste it into the <head> section of every page on your website. If you are using a theme, you can often add this to a single theme file (like header.php in a classic WordPress theme) that is used across all pages.

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Where Did the Old "UA" Tracking ID Go?

What if you're working on an older site or following an outdated tutorial and genuinely need the old Universal Analytics "UA-" ID?

Unfortunately, you can no longer create new Universal Analytics properties. Google has made GA4 the default and only option for new accounts. If you don't already have a UA property, you won't be able to get a UA-ID.

If you have an existing, older Universal Analytics property, you could previously find the ID by going to:

Admin > Property column > Tracking Info > Tracking Code

Remember, these properties stopped collecting data in mid-2023. If your business is still relying on a UA property, you must set up a new GA4 property to collect current website data.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

• "I can't see 'Tracking Info' in my Admin." This is the most common point of confusion. The "Tracking Info" menu does not exist in a Google Analytics 4 property. If you don't see it, it's because you are correctly using GA4. You need to look for "Data Streams" instead.
• "My Measurement ID isn't tracking any data." After installing the ID, give it 24-48 hours for data to start appearing in your reports. If it’s still not working, check that you copied the entire ID correctly. Use the Google Tag Assistant extension for Chrome to verify that your tag is firing correctly on your website.
• "I created a New Account/Property but can't find a G-ID anywhere." When you create a new GA4 property, you are prompted to create a Data Stream. You must complete this step for Google to generate a Measurement ID. If you skipped it, just go to Admin > Data Streams > Add Stream to create one for your website.

Final Thoughts

Finding your analytics identifier simply requires you to know where to look. For modern tracking in Google Analytics 4, that place is under Admin > Data Streams. The identifier is no longer called a "Tracking ID" like it was in Universal Analytics, instead, you're looking for your "Measurement ID," which starts with "G-".

Connecting all your tools like Google Analytics, Shopify, and social media platforms is the first step, but the real work starts when you have to analyze all that data. It often ends up scattered across a dozen different browser tabs and spreadsheets. At Graphed, we solve this by bringing all your data into one place. Simply connect your accounts in seconds, then ask questions in plain English like "compare my website revenue from Google Ads vs. Facebook Ads traffic for the last quarter." We instantly build the analysis, saving you the hours you would have spent digging through reports.