Google Analytics 4 Guide to PPC

Tuesday 8th April 2025

Google Analytics 4 (GA4) has introduced a fresh, user-centric approach to analytics, redefining how businesses track and understand user interactions across digital platforms. If you’re involved in pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, leveraging GA4 is crucial.

Key GA4 Features for PPC Marketers

GA4’s features offer several advantages for PPC marketers who want to drill down into user behaviour and optimise campaigns effectively.

Event-Based Tracking

GA4 is built on event-based tracking, which is significantly different from the Universal Analytics (UA) session-based model. This allows for more granular tracking of user interactions, like clicks, video views, and form submissions.

Custom Events for PPC

In GA4, you can create custom events tailored to your PPC campaigns. For instance, if a user arrives on a landing page from a specific Google Ads campaign, you can track key interactions on that page, such as button clicks or scroll depth.

Enhanced Measurement

GA4 includes Enhanced Measurement, which automatically tracks key interactions, such as page views, scrolls, outbound clicks, and file downloads. These interactions are critical for PPC campaigns, as they help gauge user engagement and interest.

Automatic Engagement Metrics

PPC advertisers can use this feature to analyse user behaviour without needing complex code customisations. For example, if users coming from paid ads are consistently downloading resources or clicking on outbound links, you can measure and optimise around those engagements.

Predictive Metrics

GA4’s machine learning capabilities provide predictive metrics like purchase probability, retention probability, and revenue predictions. These insights allow PPC marketers to focus on high-value audiences.

Predictive Audiences for Retargeting

If GA4 predicts a user is likely to convert, you can retarget them with specific Google Ads campaigns to increase conversion rates. Predictive metrics can also help you adjust your bids and budget allocation, ensuring your spend is directed toward high-probability converters.

Analysing PPC Performance in GA4

Analysing PPC performance in GA4 offers more flexibility and detail than UA.

Explore Reports for Deep-Dive Analysis

The Explore section in GA4 is a customisable reporting tool that allows you to analyse PPC data in detail.

Path Exploration

This tool lets you visualise user journeys from their first interaction through conversion. By segmenting paths for PPC traffic, you can see common actions that lead to conversions.

Funnel Exploration

Set up custom funnels for your PPC landing pages, tracking key interactions along the way. This can help identify drop-off points and areas for optimisation.

Attribution Reports

GA4’s Attribution Reporting is a powerful tool for PPC advertisers, as it helps you understand the effectiveness of different marketing channels in the customer journey.

Attribution Models

GA4 offers several attribution models, including Data-Driven Attribution, which uses machine learning to assign credit across touchpoints. For PPC, this can help you see how your Google Ads and other channels contribute to conversions, allowing for better budget allocation.

Conversion Paths

Analyse the sequence of interactions leading up to conversions, noting where paid ads play a role. This insight can reveal the channels, keywords, and ads driving conversions and assist in optimising your campaigns for maximum impact.

Audiences

Creating audiences in GA4 is essential for effective PPC targeting. With GA4, you can create audiences based on user behaviours, demographics, and predictive insights.

Remarketing Audiences

GA4 allows you to build remarketing audiences directly from GA4 insights. For example, you could create an audience for users who visited a specific landing page but did not convert. Then, use Google Ads to retarget this audience with a customised message or offer.

Lookalike Audiences

Use GA4’s audience features to create lookalike audiences based on high-converting segments. This can extend your reach and bring new users similar to those who have already engaged or converted from previous PPC campaigns.

GA4 Metrics for Optimising PPC Campaigns

GA4 offers new engagement metrics and detailed conversion tracking that are instrumental for PPC optimisation.

Engagement Metrics

GA4 introduces engagement metrics like Engaged Sessions, Engagement Rate and Average Engagement Time, which provide a clearer picture of user interaction.

These metrics can help PPC marketers measure the quality of traffic driven by ads. For instance, if a campaign has a high click-through rate but low engagement, it could indicate a misalignment between ad content and landing page experience. Adjusting ad copy or targeting might improve engagement and conversion rates.

Conversion Tracking

GA4 allows you to set up and track conversions easily, providing deeper insights into PPC performance.

You can mark any user interaction as a conversion in GA4, giving you more control over what actions to optimise. For example, in a lead generation PPC campaign, you might track form submissions as conversions. But if you also want to measure calls, downloads, or video views, GA4 makes it easy to add these as additional conversion points.

Custom Dimensions and Metrics

In GA4, you can create custom dimensions and metrics that align with your PPC goals, such as tracking specific campaign variables or user actions.

Use custom dimensions to track detailed campaign performance by passing PPC parameters into GA4. This way, you can get metrics on specific ad types, targeting options, or creative variations to determine what resonates best with your audience.

Optimising PPC Campaigns Based on GA4 Insights

Once you’ve set up and collected data, GA4 insights can help you to optimise your PPC campaigns:

1. Use GA4’s audience insights to adjust PPC targeting, focusing on high-performing segments, behaviours, or demographics.
2. Use GA4’s predictive metrics to allocate budget towards high-likelihood conversions, improving the efficiency of ad spend.
3. Based on engagement metrics like bounce rate and conversion funnels, refine landing pages to better align with user expectations and increase conversion rates.

Why GA4 is Essential for PPC Success

GA4’s event-driven model, predictive insights, and cross-platform capabilities make it an essential tool for PPC campaigns. By using GA4’s rich data, PPC advertisers can gain a clearer view of user behaviour, optimise ad spend, and enhance campaign performance.