Google Analytics 4
intermediate
12 min read3 steps568 views

GA4 Events Explained: Auto, Enhanced, Recommended and Custom

GA4 tracks everything as events. Four types: Automatically collected events fire without configuration (first_visit, session_start, page_view). Enhanced Measurement events track common interactions when enabled (scroll, click, file_download, video_start, video_complete, view_search_results). Recomme

Events & Conversionsga4 events explained

Quick Summary

GA4 tracks everything as events. Four types: Automatically collected events fire without configuration (first_visit, session_start, page_view). Enhanced Measurement events track common interactions when enabled (scroll, click, file_download, video_start, video_complete, view_search_results). Recommended events are predefined by Google for your industry (purchase, add_to_cart, sign_up, generate_lead) — implement these using their exact names and parameters for best reporting. Custom events are anything unique to your business that Google does not have a predefined event for.

Overview

GA4 tracks everything as events. Four types: Automatically collected events fire without configuration (first_visit, session_start, page_view). Enhanced Measurement events track common interactions when enabled (scroll, click, file_download, video_start, video_complete, view_search_results). Recommended events are predefined by Google for your industry (purchase, add_to_cart, sign_up, generate_lead) — implement these using their exact names and parameters for best reporting. Custom events are anything unique to your business that Google does not have a predefined event for.

See our complete guide library for detailed coverage of setup, tracking, analysis, and optimisation across all platforms.

Process Flow

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Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these 3 steps to complete this guide

1

Step-by-Step Setup

Access your account or platform. Navigate to the relevant section. Complete each configuration step, testing along the way. Verify your setup using built-in diagnostic tools before relying on the data for decisions.
2

Best Practices

Start with recommended defaults and optimise based on data. Review performance regularly. Make incremental changes. Document your configuration.
3

Common Issues and Solutions

Check the platform's help centre for troubleshooting. Allow 24-48 hours for data to populate. Ensure correct permissions. Verify all integrations are active and properly configured.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this topic

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