Is Google Analytics Free? A Quick Breakdown of GA4

Google has various tools to help with digital marketing, and it can be hard to understand the differences and details of each. For example, is Google Analytics free, or do you have to pay for some features? 

Over 44 million sites have used the platform, which means it must be worth investigating. Get a quick overview of this tool and how you can try it out. 

Is Google Analytics Free?

Yes, the basic version of Google Analytics is free. It is part of the Google Marketing Platform and provides insights into your website performance to improve search engine optimization and marketing. It can also measure traffic and engagement for mobile and web apps. The current version is the fourth iteration, so people also refer to it as “GA4.”

To set up GA4 for free, create an account on the Welcome page by clicking the “Start Measuring” button. Then, follow the five steps steps that the site walks you through. If you need more help, Google also has a support page with a helpful tutorial video.

Does Google Analytics Cost Money if You Want Advanced Features?

Yes, you will have to pay to get the most advanced features of Google Analytics. Google calls this premium version “Analytics 360” and “GA 360.” 

Be aware that the paid version starts at $50,000 a year ($4,166 a month). However, it’s a usage-based model, so prices can greatly vary, even going beyond $150,000 a year. 

Also, you can only get the product through an authorized reseller. This is to ensure you have the highest level of support for the platform.

What Is the Difference Between Free and Paid Google Analytics?

The primary difference between paid and free Google Analytics is that the premium version offers much higher limits for data collection, reporting, retention, and exporting. GA 360 also offers granular data that is more accurate. Plus, you can make additional customizations with the advanced plan.

Fortunately, the free version of GA4 has more than enough for small and mid-size businesses. In fact, Google refers to GA 360 as its enterprise version, so you should only consider it if you’re a large-scale company.

Why Should Your Company Use Google Analytics Anyway?

GA4 is a fundamental part of your marketing and SEO strategy. Its dashboard provides key insights into your audience. For example, you can discover the location, interests, and ages of the average users. Stats on your bounce rate, average session duration, and goal completions show you why people come to your site and what they do once they get there.

These metrics are also essential for tracking your content performance. This information helps you improve your organic marketing and optimize your pages. Plus, GA4 can integrate with Google’s other tools and advanced SEO software from other brands to track and boost the success of your campaigns. 

Get Help Using Google Analytics’ Free Tools

You should take advantage of this popular tool because Google Analytics is free for all to use. If you don’t have time to maximize its benefits, our SEO experts can assist you. Contact us at BKA Content for a quick complimentary consultation about our managed SEO plans.