A New Era Dawns: Universal Analytics Sets with the Sunset

If you’re a regular user of Google Analytics, you’ve probably noticed the new ticking clock that appears every time you try to load a standard Universal Analytics (UA) property. It’s a clear sign that the end is near. In less than a month, on July 1st, 2023, Universal Analytics standard will enter its sunset phase.

James Santangeli

What does this mean? It means that these properties will no longer process new hits or receive fresh data. However, fear not, as Universal Analytics standard will still be available for viewing your data for at least six months following the sunset.

But hold on, there’s more to the story. UA360 properties, on the other hand, will be unaffected by this initial switch off. Their sunset date is set for July 1st, 2024, when they too will stop processing new hits. In fact, this is the day when Universal Analytics as a whole will be shut off and become unavailable for use.

So, let’s summarize the timeline of the sunset:

With the UA Standard deadline approaching, it’s essential to migrate all necessary properties to GA4 and integrate them with Google Ads. If you have important data stored in a UA Standard property, it’s wise to explore long-term data storage solutions.

Remember that for UA360, given the sunset and turn-off happening on the same day, it’s recommended to run main backups in May 2024, followed by one in mid-June and another as close to July 1st as possible.

As part of the migration, consider the following:

  1. Collection: Ensure all relevant tracking is deployed to maintain access to the data you need.
  2. Access: Review user access policies and ensure relevant parties retain access to the platform.
  3. Data integrations: Migrate all integrations to UA, including Google Ads, BigQuery, and other tools.
  4. Data Backup: Establish a robust backup solution to safeguard your data.
  5. Onward data mapping: Understand where your UA data is utilised within your organization to avoid any service disruptions.
  6. Training: Familiarise yourself and your team with the new GA4 interface, collection design, and BigQuery Schema. Treat GA4 as a new product and invest in training and evangelization to ensure a successful migration.

The clock is ticking, so take the necessary steps now to ensure a smooth transition from Universal Analytics to GA4. Contact us for assistance with your GA4 related projects or questions.

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