Run In Parallel The Old Google Analytics UA Tracking Code With New GA4 Code

Mar 21, 2022 - 7:21 am 8 by
Filed Under Web Analytics

Google Analytics

With Google Analytics rushing folks on Universal Analytics to set up Google Analytics 4, many are asking if they should run both UA3 and GA4 code at the same time. The answer, in my opinion, is yes, at least until UA3 stops tracking.

It is interesting because we have different responses from two different Googlers on different sides of the company.

Ginny Marvin, the AdsLiaison, who works on the ad side of search, said on Twitter to keep both, UA3 and GA4, going at the same time. She said "For now, itโ€™s best to keep existing UA instances running & set up a GA4 property to start collecting data in parallel."

John Mueller who works on the organic side of search, said he is not sure but he running both would slow things down. He said "I have no idea, but I imagine you could. Some sites have multiple analytics/metrics setups in parallel -- it slows things down though."

Here are those two tweets:

I personally have both running in parallel - I think any slow down is worth it - at least temporarily - to see how both UA3 and GA4 compare day-to-day and in general.

Forum discussion at Twitter.

 

Popular Categories

The Pulse of the search community

Search Video Recaps

 
- YouTube
Video Details More Videos Subscribe to Videos

Most Recent Articles

Search Forum Recap

Daily Search Forum Recap: July 11, 2025

Jul 11, 2025 - 10:00 am
Search Video Recaps

Search News Buzz Video Recap: Google Helpful Content Recoveries With Core Update, AI Mode Expands, Hidden Ad Terms & Fewer Ad Clicks

Jul 11, 2025 - 8:01 am
Google Maps

Google Local & Business Profiles Drops June 25th - Reporting Glitch?

Jul 11, 2025 - 7:51 am
Google

Google Tests Zoom Effect In On Images Within Search Results

Jul 11, 2025 - 7:41 am
Bing Search

Bing Search Image Box Tests Explore Image & Visual Search Buttons

Jul 11, 2025 - 7:31 am
Bing Search

Microsoft Bing Tests Delivery Truck Icon In Search Ads

Jul 11, 2025 - 7:21 am
Previous Story: Google Business Profile Emergency Help Attributes