google-ads-ga4-integration-guide

GA4 Integration Guide

Complete guide for linking Google Ads with Google Analytics 4 for better audience targeting, conversion attribution, and cross-platform insights.

GAQL: Verify GA4 Conversion Import + Attribution

Use google_ads_run_gaql to check which conversions are imported and how they are attributed:

SELECT conversion_action.name, conversion_action.status,
    conversion_action.type, conversion_action.category,
    conversion_action.attribution_model_settings.attribution_model,
    conversion_action.counting_type,
    metrics.conversions, metrics.all_conversions
FROM conversion_action
WHERE conversion_action.status = 'ENABLED'
ORDER BY metrics.all_conversions DESC
LIMIT 50

-- Campaign performance with GA4-imported conversions
SELECT campaign.name, campaign.advertising_channel_type,
    metrics.impressions, metrics.clicks, metrics.cost_micros,
    metrics.conversions, metrics.conversions_value,
    metrics.all_conversions
FROM campaign
WHERE segments.date DURING LAST_30_DAYS
AND campaign.status = 'ENABLED'
ORDER BY metrics.conversions DESC

Google Ads ↔ GA4 Linking

Linking Setup

LINKING GOOGLE ADS AND GA4
══════════════════════════

REQUIREMENTS:
─────────────
□ Admin access in GA4 property
□ Admin access in Google Ads account
□ Same Google account (or linked accounts)

STEP 1: FROM GA4
─────────────────
1. GA4 → Admin → Product links → Google Ads links
2. Click "Link"
3. Select Google Ads account(s)
4. Configure settings:
   ├── Enable personalized advertising: ON
   ├── Enable auto-tagging: Recommended ON
   └── Click "Next" → "Submit"

STEP 2: VERIFY LINKING
───────────────────────
In GA4:
├── Admin → Google Ads links
└── Status: "Active"

In Google Ads:
├── Tools → Linked accounts → Google Analytics (GA4)
└── Status: "Linked"

WHAT THIS LINK ENABLES:
───────────────────────
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  FUNCTIONALITY                │ STATUS AFTER LINKING            │
├────────────────────────────────┼───────────────────────────────┤
│ Google Ads data in GA4         │ Automatic                     │
│ GA4 conversions → Google Ads   │ Manual import required        │
│ GA4 audiences → Google Ads     │ Manual enable required        │
│ Google Ads metrics in GA4      │ cost, clicks, impressions     │
│ Cross-platform attribution     │ Attribution settings          │
└────────────────────────────────┴───────────────────────────────┘

AUTO-TAGGING VS MANUAL TAGGING:
───────────────────────────────
AUTO-TAGGING (Recommended):
├── Google Ads adds gclid to URLs
├── GA4 recognizes automatically
├── Most accurate tracking
└── Enables: full Google Ads integration

MANUAL TAGGING (UTM):
├── You add UTM parameters yourself
├── More control over source/medium
├── Needed for: cross-domain, third-party tools
└── Can work alongside auto-tagging