Modifying GOV.UK GA4 data
It is possible to modify the GOV.UK GA4 data within the GA4 interface.
Key events
Key events are set up within the interface.
At present, we have not created any custom events or designated any events as key events (formerly known as conversions) within GA4. We have so far decided to not implement any key events as:
- they might require the creation of an additional event, to be designated as the key event, and this would increase our data collection and storage costs as well as issues with high cardinality and sampling when using our data
- they would have an impact on our engagement rates
If you are interested in designating any events as key events in the GOV.UK GA4 data, please contact the GA4 support inbox.
GA4 event modifications
Events collected can be modified (parameter values changed or new parameters added) in the GA4 interface. Google have published some details on event modifications in their support information.
This feature will only be used when there is no sensible way for developers to implement the same change to event tracking in the dataLayer.
All regex used in GA4 event modifications should be audited by developers to ensure it will not worsen page load times. This is because there is a risk that complicated regex used might be slowing down the user’s experience, as it is the user’s computer which is doing the calculation.
If event modifications are to be used, the following process should be followed:
- Event modification requested
- Need for and value of requested changes evaluated by the Analytics team
- Schema for proposed changes drawn up by the Analytics team and those requesting the changes
- Regex and/or other changes required written up in implementation guidance by the Analytics team and those requesting the changes
- Regex/changes checked by developers
- Changes tested by analysts in a testing environment
- Changes deployed to the live property by the Analytics team
- Changes documented and advertised by the Analytics team
If you are interested in modifying any events in the GOV.UK GA4 data, please contact the GA4 support inbox.
Custom data imports
We have tested the custom event data import feature to ensure that it would meet our needs to join additional metadata to the events we collect. This feature is not currently in use, but may be used in future.
If you are interested in adding data imports to the GOV.UK GA4 data, please contact the GA4 support inbox.