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GA Google Analytics

By Jeff Starr

Description

Connects Google Analytics to WordPress
Supports Universal Analytics / analytics.js
Supports Global Site Tag / gtag.js
Supports Google Analytics 4

This plugin enables Google Analytics for your entire WordPress site. Lightweight and fast with plenty of great features.

GA Tracking Options

To enable Google Analytics 4:

  1. Follow this guide to create a GA 4 account
  2. During account creation, you’ll get a tracking (measurement) ID
  3. Add your new tracking ID to the plugin setting, “GA Tracking ID”
  4. Select “Global Site Tag” for the plugin setting, “Tracking Method”

Save changes and done. Wait 24-48 hours before viewing collected data in your GA account.

GA Feature Support

Also supports tracking links and conversions via the Custom Code setting. Learn more about Google Analytics!

Features

  • Blazing fast performance
  • Does one thing and does it well
  • Drop-dead simple and easy to use
  • Regularly updated and “future proof”
  • Stays current with the latest tracking code
  • Includes tracking code in header or footer
  • Includes tracking code on all WordPress web pages
  • Includes option to add your own custom markup
  • Sleek plugin Settings page with toggling panels
  • Option to disable tracking of admin-level users
  • Option to enable page tracking in the Admin Area
  • Works with or without Gutenberg Block Editor
  • Easy to customize the tracking code
  • More features available in the Pro version

This is a lightweight plugin that inserts the required GA tracking code. To view your site statistics, visit your Google Analytics account.

Pro Version

GA Google Analytics Pro includes the same features as the free version, PLUS the following:

  • Visitor Opt-Out Box (frontend UI)
  • Configure multiple tracking codes
  • Live Preview of all tracking codes
  • Choose location of multiple tracking codes
  • Supports Custom Code in header or footer
  • Disable tracking of all logged-in users
  • Disable Tracking for any Post IDs, User Roles, Post Types
  • Disable Tracking for Search Results and Post Archives
  • Display Opt-Out Box automatically or via shortcode
  • Complete Inline Help/Documentation
  • Priority plugin help and support

Learn more and get GA Pro »

Privacy

User Data: This plugin does not collect any user data. Even so, the tracking code added by this plugin is used by Google to collect all sorts of user data. You can learn more about Google Privacy here.

Cookies: This plugin uses simple cookies for the visitor Opt-Out Box to remember user preference for opt-in or out of Google Analytics.

Services: This plugin does not connect to any third-party locations or services, but it does enable Google to collect all sorts of data.

Support development of this plugin

I develop and maintain this free plugin with love for the WordPress community. To show support, you can make a donation or purchase one of my books:

And/or purchase one of my premium WordPress plugins:

Links, tweets and likes also appreciated. Thanks! ๐Ÿ™‚

Screenshots

  • GA Google Analytics: Plugin Settings (default)
  • GA Google Analytics: Plugin Settings (expanded)

Installation

How to install the plugin

  1. Upload the plugin to your blog and activate
  2. Visit the settings to configure your options

After configuring your settings, you can verify that GA tracking code is included by viewing the source code of your web pages.

Note: this plugin adds the required GA code to your web pages. In order for the code to do anything, it must correspond to an active, properly configured Google Analytics account. Learn more at the Google Analytics Help Center.

More info on installing WP plugins »

How to use the plugin

To enable Google Analytics tracking on your site, follow these steps:

  1. Visit the “Plugin Settings” panel
  2. Enter your GA Tracking ID
  3. Choose either Universal Analytics or Global Site Tag*
  4. Configure any other plugin settings as desired (optional)

Save changes and done. After 24-48 hours, you can log into your Google Analytics account to view your stats.

Notes:

Global Site Tag is required for Google Analytics 4. For steps on setting up GA 4, check out the plugin homepage (under “GA Tracking Options”).

Also note that it can take 24-48 hours after adding the tracking code before any analytical data appears in your Google Analytics account. To check that the GA tacking code is included, look at the source code of your web page(s). Learn more at the Google Analytics Help Center.

Upgrading Analytics

Google Analytics tracking methods change over time. First there was urchin.js, then ga.js, and now analytics.js, soon to be replaced officially by gtag.js. If you are using an older version and want to upgrade, check out these Google docs:

Plugin Upgrades

To upgrade GA Google Analytics, remove the old version and replace with the new version. Or just click “Update” from the Plugins screen and let WordPress do it for you automatically.

Note: uninstalling the plugin from the WP Plugins screen results in the removal of all settings from the WP database.

For more information, visit the GA Plugin Homepage.

Restore Default Options

To restore default plugin options, either uninstall/reinstall the plugin, or visit the plugin settings > Restore Default Options.

Uninstalling

GA Google Analytics cleans up after itself. All plugin settings will be removed from your database when the plugin is uninstalled via the Plugins screen. Your collected GA data will remain in your Google account.

Pro Version

Want more control over your GA Tracking codes? With awesome features like Opt-Out Box and Code Previews? Check out GA Pro »

Like the plugin?

If you like GA Google Analytics, please take a moment to give a 5-star rating. It helps to keep development and support going strong. Thank you!

FAQ

How to enable Google Analytics 4?

To enable Google Analytics 4:

  1. Follow this guide to create a GA 4 account
  2. During account creation, you’ll get a tracking (measurement) ID
  3. Add your new tracking ID to the plugin setting, “GA Tracking ID”
  4. Select “Global Site Tag” for the plugin setting, “Tracking Method”

Save changes and done. Wait 24-48 hours before viewing collected data in your GA account.

Tracking code is not displayed in source code?

If you check the source code of your pages and don’t see the GA tracking code, check the following:

  • Check that your theme includes the hooks, wp_head and wp_footer
  • If you are using a caching plugin, try clearing the cache

If the GA tracking code still is not displayed, most likely there is interference from another plugin or theme. In this case, the best way to resolve the issue is to do some basic WordPress troubleshooting.

Google Analytic says tracking code is not detected?

You need to wait awhile for Google to collect some data, like at least a day or whatever. Standard stuff for Google Analytics. For more information, check out the Google Analytics Help Center.

Can I filter the output of the “Custom GA Code” setting?

Yes, you can use the gap_custom_code filter hook.

How to implement Google Optimize?

Here are the steps:

  1. Enable Universal Analytics in the plugin settings
  2. Add the Optimize plugin (e.g., ga('require', 'GTM-XXXXXX');) to the setting, “Custom GA Code”
  3. Add the Page Hiding (flicker) snippet to the setting, “Custom <head> Code”
  4. Enable the setting, “Custom <head> Location”

Done! You can view the source code of your web pages to verify the results.

More info about Google Optimize.

How to enable Opt-out of tracking?

Here are the steps:

  1. Add the following code to the plugin setting, “Custom Code”: <script>window['ga-disable-UA-XXXXX-Y'] = true;</script>
  2. Check the box to enable the setting, “Custom Code Location”.

Done! You can view the source code of your web pages to verify the results.

More info about user opt-out.

How to disable the “auto” parameter in ga(create)?

By default the plugin includes the auto parameter in the tracking code:

ga('create', 'GA-123456789000', 'auto');

However some tracking techniques (such as Site Speed Sample Rate) require replacing the auto parameter. To do it:

First disable the auto parameter by adding the following code to WordPress functions or custom plugin:

// GA Google Analytics - Disable auto parameter
function ga_google_analytics_enable_auto($enable) { return false; }
add_filter('ga_google_analytics_enable_auto', 'ga_google_analytics_enable_auto');

Now that auto is disabled, you can replace it with your own parameter(s). For example, to implement Universal Analytics Site Speed Sample Rate, enter the following code in the plugin setting “Custom Tracker Objects”:

{'siteSpeedSampleRate': 100}

Save changes and done. The resulting tracking code will now look like this:

ga('create', 'GA-123456789000', {'siteSpeedSampleRate': 100});

So can adjust things as needed to add any parameters that are required.

Got a question?

To ask a question, suggest a feature, or provide feedback, contact me directly. Learn more about Google Analytics and GA tracking methods.

Reviews

Why using this one…?

June 10, 2021
There are a few plugins doing the same. Only others have more features and present some data from WP admin interface, saving time to check Analytics itself if one just wants to have a rough idea of daily traffic. I see no reason to use this one and even less for the stratospheric rate it has.

Weird Feel to the plugin – not good user experience

June 8, 2021
This plugin is popular but i refuse to believe its really of any value. At first hand i installed in and entered the global tag code id and everytime i clicked save it did not save anything and the page form just went blank. I tried like 5 to 6 times and then it only showed the id name in the form itself whereas the least it could do is tell us tha the connection or integration is successful atleast . I know it takes 48 hours but atleast a confirmation that the integration data has been saved would be handy. I also tried deleting caches but the same issue keeps replicating itself. Noe i have to wait for 2 days and i dont even know if it was successfully submitted and its status. What a waste of something with potential. Really unhappy!

Great och uncomplicated

May 5, 2021
So happy I found this plugin! For some reason, Site kit refused to accept adding a new property. This plugin however solved that issue in no time.

Simple and helpful

March 19, 2021
This worked for me and was easy to use, thank you. Great documentation too - perfect for an artist who's not a web developer.
Read all 131 reviews

Contributors & Developers

“GA Google Analytics” is open source software. The following people have contributed to this plugin.

Contributors

“GA Google Analytics” has been translated into 6 locales. Thank you to the translators for their contributions.

Translate “GA Google Analytics” into your language.

Interested in development?

Browse the code, check out the SVN repository, or subscribe to the development log by RSS.

Changelog

Thank you to everyone who shares feedback for GA Google Analytics!

If you like GA Google Analytics, please take a moment to give a 5-star rating. It helps to keep development and support going strong. Thank you!

New Pro version available! Check out GA Pro »

20210211

  • Tests on WordPress 5.7

20201120

  • Supports Google Analytics 4
  • Updates readme/docs with GA 4 infos
  • Tweaks validate_settings()
  • Tests on PHP 7.4 and 8.0
  • Tests on WordPress 5.6

20200815

  • Adds short URL ID comment to source code
  • Adds filter hook ga_google_analytics_script_atts
  • Adds filter hook ga_google_analytics_script_atts_ext
  • Adds return error if user enters GTM- tracking code
  • Improves sanitization of options output
  • Updates default translation template
  • Refines plugin setting page styles
  • Refines readme/documentation
  • Tests on WordPress 5.5

20200325

  • Fixes bug with auto parameter
  • Tests on WordPress 5.4

20200319

  • Adds filter hook ga_google_analytics_options_array
  • Adds filter hook ga_google_analytics_enable_auto
  • Tests on WordPress 5.4

20191109

  • Tightens output/display of tracking code
  • Improves sanitization for plugin options
  • Updates styles for plugin settings page
  • Improves clarity of settings page infos
  • Generates new default translation template
  • Tests on WordPress 5.3

20190902

  • Changes order of custom code output
  • Improves output of GA tracking markup
  • Improves clarity of settings information
  • Updates some links to https
  • Generates new default translation template
  • Tests on WordPress 5.3 (alpha)

20190501

  • Bumps minimum PHP version to 5.6.20
  • Updates Link Attribution tracking code
  • Tweaks plugin settings screen content
  • Updates default translation template
  • Tests on WordPress 5.2

20190311

  • Adds support for GA User Opt-Out
  • Adds GA Pro link to action_links()
  • Adds Homepage link to plugin_links()
  • Adds check for admin user for settings shortcut link
  • Custom GA Code now outputs before any calls to ga()/gtag()
  • Refines plugin settings screen UI and information
  • Generates new default translation template
  • Tests on WordPress 5.1 and 5.2 (alpha)

20190220

  • Just a version bump for compat with WP 5.1
  • Full update coming soon ๐Ÿ™‚

20180828

  • Corrects incorrect syntax for gtag tacking code
  • Further tests on WP versions 4.9 and 5.0 (alpha)

20180816

  • Adds rel="noopener noreferrer" to all blank-target links
  • Updates GDPR blurb and donate link
  • Improves support for WP-CLI (details)
  • Refines some option descriptions on the settings page
  • Enables display of Custom Code when tracking is disabled
  • Updates plugin screenshots for WordPress Plugin Directory
  • Regenerates default translation template
  • Further tests on WP versions 4.9 and 5.0 (alpha)

20180506

  • Bugfix: changes anonymizeIP to anonymizeIp for analytics.js
  • Tests on WordPress 5.0 (alpha)

20180303

  • Refactors code base
  • Removes deprecated notice
  • Simplifies plugin settings
  • Adds support for Global Site Tag (gtag.js)
  • Makes it easier to reset default plugin options
  • Changes Text Domain from gap to ga-google-analytics
  • Generates new translation template
  • Improves plugin settings page UI
  • Updates plugin settings images
  • Tests on WordPress 5.0 (alpha)

20171103

  • Removes extra manage_options check for plugin settings
  • Tests on WordPress 4.9

20171021

  • Adds setting to display Custom head code before or after the GA tracking code
  • Updates tracking URL from // to https:// for Universal Analytics
  • Updates default/example tracking ID from UA-XXXXX-Y to UA-XXXXX-X
  • Adds %%userid%% shortcode for “Custom GA Code” setting
  • Adds filter hook gap_custom_code for “Custom GA Code” setting
  • Fixes PHP warning for “extract() expects parameter 1 to be array”
  • Fixes code escaping bug for custom code and tracker settings
  • Adds extra manage_options capability check to modify settings
  • Streamlines Support panel in plugin settings
  • Regenerates default translation template
  • Improves display of plugin settings
  • Tests on WordPress 4.9

20170731

  • Updates GPL license blurb
  • Adds GPL license text file
  • Tests on WordPress 4.9 (alpha)

20170324

  • Updates the show support panel
  • Tweaks settings UI panel display
  • Edits some plugin settings for clarity
  • Replaces global $wp_version with get_bloginfo('version')
  • Generates new default translation template
  • Tests on WordPress version 4.8

20161116

  • Adds info to deprecation nag on plugin settings page
  • Adds info to the Overview panel on plugin settings page
  • Changes stable tag from trunk to latest version
  • Adds translation support for some missing strings
  • Updates plugin author URL
  • Updates Twitter link URL
  • Refactors add_gap_links() function
  • Updates URL for rate this plugin links
  • Regenerates new default translation template
  • Tests on WordPress version 4.7 (beta)

20160831

  • Renamed the plugin back to its original name, GA Google Analytics
  • Revised labels for first two “enable-GA” settings for clarity
  • Regenerated translation template

20160810

  • Renamed menu link from “GA Plugin” to “Google Analytics”
  • Renamed plugin from “GA Google Analytics” to “(GA) Google Analytics”
  • Replaced _e() with esc_html_e() or esc_attr_e()
  • Replaced __() with esc_html__() or esc_attr__()
  • Streamlined and optimized plugin settings page
  • Added plugin icons and larger banner image
  • Improved translation support
  • Tested on WordPress 4.6

20160331

  • Replaced GA Logo with retina version
  • Added screenshot to readme/docs
  • Added retina version of plugin banner
  • Updated readme.txt with fresh infos
  • Tested on WordPress version 4.5 beta

20151109

  • Tested on WordPress 4.4 (beta)
  • Updated minimum version requirement
  • Updated heading hierarchy on settings page
  • Added option to disable GA for admin users (Thanks to Daniele Raimondi)
  • Added support for IP anonymization (Thanks to Daniele Raimondi)
  • Added support for Force SSL (Thanks to ฤŒeslav Przywara)
  • Cleaned up some “Undefined index” Notices
  • Removed 404 link from Important Notice panel
  • Updated Google links in the Overview panel
  • Refined google_analytics_tracking_code()
  • Updated default GA ID, UA-XXXXX-Y
  • Added default tracker object, “auto”
  • Updated Google URLs in the readme.txt
  • Updated Google URLs in the Options panel
  • Updated info about adding custom trackers
  • Added support for custom GA code
  • General code cleanup and testing

20150808

  • Tested on WordPress 4.3
  • Updated minimum version requirement

20150507

  • Tested with WP 4.2 + 4.3 (alpha)
  • Changed a few “http” links to “https”
  • Added isset() to eliminate some PHP warnings

20150314

  • Tested with latest version of WP (4.1)
  • Increased minimum version to WP 3.8
  • Added Text Domain and Domain Path to file header
  • Streamline/fine-tune plugin code
  • Removed valign=”top” from settings page
  • Added option to enable GA reporting in Admin Area
  • Added alert/notice on settings page about Universal Analytics
  • Removed deprecated screen_icon()
  • Replaced default .mo/.po templates with .pot template

20140922

  • Tested with latest version of WP (4.0)
  • Increased minimum version to WP 3.7
  • Added conditional check for min-version function
  • Added optional field to display any other codes
  • Improved layout and terminology of settings page
  • Updated GA code for Display Advertising
  • Added support for Enhanced Link Attribution
  • Added support for Tracker Objects
  • Refactored google_analytics_tracking_code()
  • Updated mo/po translation files

20140123

  • Tested with latest WordPress (3.8)
  • Added trailing slash to load_plugin_textdomain()

20131107

  • Added uninstall.php file
  • Added “rate this plugin” links
  • Added support for i18n

Version 20131104

  • Added line to check for WP, prevent direct loading of script
  • Added support for Display Advertising
  • Added support for Universal Analytics/Analytics.js
  • Removed closing “?>” from ga-google-analytics.php
  • Tested with the latest version of WordPress (3.7)

Version 20130705

  • Added option to display in header or footer
  • Overview and Updates admin panels toggled open by default
  • Implemented translation support
  • Added info to settings page
  • General plugin check and code tuning

Version 20130103

  • Added margins to submit buttons (now required in WP 3.5)

Version 20121102

  • Revamped plugin settings page
  • Fine-tuned and further tested
  • Fleshed out documentation
  • New graphics and copy

Version 20120409

  • Initial release.

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Contributors

Support

Issues resolved in last two months:

5 out of 6

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