Google Analytics 4 (Dual-Track)

Google Analytics 4 is the standard for web analytics. But like all browser-based tools, it misses events blocked by privacy tools.

Server-side GA4 integration ensures you capture everything.

Why GA4 Server-Side?

Client vs Server Comparison

Best Practice: Use Both

****

 Client-side gtag → Captures in-session behavior         + Server-side API → Captures blocked events + backend events         = Complete analytics picture ****

Setup Guide

Step 1: Get Your Credentials

From Google Analytics:

1. Go to analytics.google.com
2. Click Admin (gear icon)
3. Go to Data Streams → Select your web stream
4. Copy your Measurement ID (starts with G-)
5. Scroll to Measurement Protocol API secrets
6. Click Create and copy the API secret

Step 2: Connect in AdsMAA

1. Go to Integrations → Tracking & E-commerce
2. Find Google Analytics 4 card
3. Click Connect
4. Enter your credentials:

5. Click Connect

Step 3: Verify Events

1. Go to GA4 → Reports → Realtime
2. Trigger an event on your website
3. You should see it appear within seconds

Event Mapping

AdsMAA automatically translates events to GA4 format:

Standard Events

E-commerce Item Format

GA4 expects items in a specific format:

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json {   "event": "purchase",   "params": {     "transaction_id": "ORD-12345",     "value": 99.99,     "currency": "USD",     "items": [       {         "item_id": "SKU-001",         "item_name": "Blue Shoes",         "price": 99.99,         "quantity": 1,         "item_category": "Footwear"       }     ]   } } ****

We handle this translation automatically when you use our SDK.

E-commerce Tracking

Full Purchase Funnel

Track the complete customer journey:

Example: Track Purchase

****`javascript adsmai('track', 'Purchase', { orderId: 'ORD-12345', value: 149.99, currency: 'USD', products: [ { id: 'SKU-001', name: 'Running Shoes', price: 99.99, quantity: 1, category: 'Footwear' }, { id: 'SKU-002', name: 'Sports Socks', price: 25.00, quantity: 2, category: 'Accessories' } ] });

// Automatically sent to GA4 as 'purchase' event // With properly formatted items[] array ****`

Debugging

Check Event Delivery

1. GA4 Realtime Report

   • Events should appear within 30 seconds
   • Check event count and parameters

2. GA4 DebugView

   • Admin → Data Display → DebugView
   • Enable debug mode in your browser
   • See detailed event parameters

3. AdsMAA Event Log

   • Tracking → Events → Filter by GA4
   • See delivery status and any errors

Common Issues

Recap

Here is what you learned:

• Server-side GA4 captures events missed by ad blockers
• Use both client and server for complete coverage
• Events auto-translate to GA4 format
• E-commerce tracking works out of the box

GA4 server-side integration ensures your analytics are complete and accurate.

Next step: Connect Shopify to sync your store data.