# Connect Google Analytics 4 (Legacy)

{% hint style="info" %}
**PageFly Analytics now works without Google Analytics.** You can track all page metrics natively. See [Enable PageFly Analytics](https://help.pagefly.io/page-structure-and-elements/analytics/page-analytics/enable-pagefly-analytics) to get started with the recommended approach.

If you prefer to continue using GA4, the instructions below still apply.
{% endhint %}

***

## Before you start

Make sure you have:

1. **A Google Analytics 4 property** — if you don't have one, follow [Google's GA4 setup guide](https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/9304153)
2. **Editor or Admin permissions** on the GA4 property — check in GA4: **Admin > Property access management**
3. **Matching currencies** — GA4 currency should match your Shopify store's currency (GA4: **Admin > Property details > Currency**)
4. **User Data Collection terms acknowledged** — required for revenue tracking

***

## How to connect

### Step 1: Open the connection settings

1. Click **Analytics** in PageFly's left sidebar
2. Click the **Google Analytics 4** connection box or the **Connect GA4** link on the banner

### Step 2: Sign in with Google

1. A Google sign-in pop-up appears
2. Grant PageFly **all requested permissions** to access your GA4 data
3. If you deny any permission, the connection fails — start over

### Step 3: Select your GA4 account

Choose from three dropdowns:

1. **Account** — your GA4 account
2. **Property** — the GA4 property for your Shopify store
3. **Data Stream** — the web data stream tracking your storefront

### Step 4: Save

Click **Select** to confirm. PageFly verifies the connection and shows a green "Connected" badge.

***

## Common errors

| Error                                           | Cause                                    | Fix                                                                                                |
| ----------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| "No accounts found"                             | Google account lacks GA4 access          | Ask your GA4 admin to grant Editor/Admin role                                                      |
| "No properties found"                           | Account has no GA4 properties            | Create a property in GA4 Admin                                                                     |
| "No data streams found"                         | Property has no web stream               | Create a web data stream in GA4                                                                    |
| "Missing access"                                | Insufficient permissions or denied OAuth | Reconnect and grant all permissions                                                                |
| "User Data Collection Acknowledgement Required" | Haven't accepted Google's data terms     | Go to GA4 > Admin > Data Streams > select stream > Measurement Protocol API secrets > accept terms |

***

## If your connection drops

Common causes:

* **OAuth token expired** — tokens expire after \~6 months. Reconnect from the Analytics dashboard
* **GA4 permissions changed** — ask your admin to restore Editor access
* **Property deleted** — connect to the correct property

***

## GA4 vs PageFly Analytics

You can use both simultaneously, or choose one:

|                      | GA4 Integration                     | PageFly Analytics               |
| -------------------- | ----------------------------------- | ------------------------------- |
| **Setup**            | Connect Google account, grant OAuth | Check one box — done            |
| **Data delay**       | 24-48 hours                         | Under 5 minutes                 |
| **Section tracking** | Not available                       | Heatmaps, scroll depth, scores  |
| **AI co-pilot**      | Available (queries GA4 data)        | Available (queries native data) |
| **Dependency**       | Requires active GA4 account         | No external dependency          |

**Recommendation:** New merchants should use PageFly Analytics directly. Existing GA4 merchants can continue using GA4 or switch at any time.


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