Google Analytics 4: Setup Guide
View GA4 traffic data directly in your WordPress admin — no MonsterInsights or separate analytics plugin needed. This guide covers setup, dashboard features, and troubleshooting.
Business Tier and above
What You Get
SEObolt's built-in GA4 integration shows your site's traffic data inside WordPress:
| Metric | Description |
|---|---|
| Sessions | Total visits to your site |
| Users | Unique visitors |
| Pageviews | Total page views across all sessions |
| Bounce Rate | Percentage of sessions that were not engaged (under 10 seconds, no conversions, single pageview) |
| Avg Session Duration | Average time visitors spend on your site |
| Pages Per Session | Average pages viewed per visit |
All metrics include trend indicators comparing current period vs previous period.
No need for a separate analytics plugin to see GA4 data in WordPress. SEObolt includes it with Business tier.
Prerequisites
Before connecting GA4 to SEObolt, you need:
- Google Analytics 4 property — Set up at analytics.google.com
- GA4 tracking code installed — The tracking snippet must be on your site. SEObolt reads data from GA4; it doesn't install the tracking code.
- Active Business tier license — GA4 integration is a Business+ feature
Don't Have GA4 Yet?
If you haven't set up Google Analytics 4:
Create a GA4 Account
Go to analytics.google.com and click "Start measuring".
Enter Property Details
Fill in your account name and property details (site name, URL, industry, time zone).
Get Your Measurement ID
Your Measurement ID starts with G- (e.g., G-XXXXXXXXXX).
Install the Tracking Code
Add the tracking code to your site using one of these methods:
- Use a plugin like "Insert Headers and Footers" (recommended)
- Use Google Tag Manager
- Paste in your theme's header (not recommended — lost on theme update)
Setup (2 Minutes)
Step 1: Connect GA4
Open Analytics Settings
Go to SEObolt > Settings > Analytics.
Click "Connect Google Analytics"
This will open a Google authorization popup window.
Sign In and Authorize
Sign in with the Google account that owns your GA4 property. Click "Allow" to authorize read-only access.
Select Your Property
Choose your GA4 property from the dropdown list.
Click "Connect"
You should see a green success message. Data will appear in the Analytics dashboard.
Step 2: Verify Data
Navigate to Analytics
Go to SEObolt > Analytics.
Check Traffic Metrics
You should see traffic metrics with trend indicators. If data is empty, wait 24-48 hours (especially for new GA4 properties).
Using the Dashboard
Date Ranges
| Range | Best For |
|---|---|
| 7 days | Quick snapshot of recent traffic |
| 28 days | Standard monthly view (default) |
| 3 months | Quarterly trend analysis |
| 6 months | Half-year performance review |
| 12 months | Full year comparison |
Reading the Metrics
| Metric | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Sessions trending up | Your traffic is growing |
| Bounce rate under 60% | Visitors are engaging with your content |
| Session duration over 2 min | People are reading your content |
| Pages per session over 1.5 | Visitors explore multiple pages |
Combining with GSC Data
GA4 and Google Search Console provide complementary data:
| Data | GA4 | GSC |
|---|---|---|
| Where traffic comes from | Yes (all sources) | Search only |
| What keywords bring traffic | Limited | Yes (detailed) |
| User behavior on site | Yes | No |
| Search impressions | No | Yes |
| Click-through rate from Google | No | Yes |
| Ranking positions | No | Yes |
Check both GA4 and GSC weekly for a complete picture of your site's performance.
Troubleshooting
No Data Showing After Connection
- GA4 tracking installed? — The GA4 tracking code (Measurement ID starting with
G-) must be on your site. SEObolt reads data but doesn't install tracking. - Correct property selected? — You may have multiple GA4 properties. Ensure you selected the one for THIS site.
- New property? — GA4 properties take 24-48 hours to accumulate data. Check GA4 directly at analytics.google.com.
- Account permissions — Your Google account must have at least "Viewer" access to the GA4 property.
Numbers Don't Match GA4 Directly
Small differences are normal:
- Date range — Ensure you're comparing the same time periods
- GA4 filters — If GA4 has data filters applied, SEObolt may show slightly different numbers
- Caching — SEObolt caches data; click refresh for the latest
- Time zone — GA4 and SEObolt may use different time zones for daily boundaries
- Sampling — High-traffic sites may see sampled data
"Connection Failed" Error
- Pop-up blocker — Allow pop-ups for your WordPress admin URL
- Clear cookies — Try in incognito/private mode
- Wrong account — Ensure you're signing in with the Google account that owns the GA4 property
- Server firewall — Your host may block outbound connections. Contact them to whitelist Google APIs.
GA4 Tab Not Appearing
- Check tier — GA4 integration requires Business tier or above
- Check license — SEObolt > License > verify active
- Check connection — SEObolt > Settings > Analytics > verify GA4 is connected
Frequently Asked Questions
"Does SEObolt install the GA4 tracking code?"
No. SEObolt reads data from GA4 but doesn't add the tracking script to your site. You need to install the GA4 tracking code separately (via a plugin, theme header, or Google Tag Manager).
"Can I use this instead of MonsterInsights?"
Yes, for basic traffic overview. SEObolt shows the essential metrics (sessions, users, pageviews, bounce rate, duration). If you need advanced features like ecommerce tracking, custom dimensions, or event tracking, you'd still need a dedicated analytics plugin.
"Will this slow down my admin?"
No. GA4 data is only fetched when you visit the Analytics page and is cached for performance.
"Can I see per-page analytics?"
The current integration shows site-wide metrics. For per-page data, check GA4 directly or use the SaaS Dashboard.
"Do I need both GA4 and GSC connected?"
We recommend both. GSC shows search performance (keywords, impressions, rankings). GA4 shows traffic behavior (sessions, bounce rate, time on site). Together they give you the full picture.