analytics-tracking

name	analytics-tracking
description	When the user wants to set up, audit, or optimize analytics tracking (GA4, events, conversions). Also use when the user mentions "Google Analytics," "GA4," "event tracking," "conversions," "gtag," or "data layer."
metadata	{"version":"1.0.0"}

Analytics: Tracking

Guides analytics implementation: GA4 setup, event tracking, conversions, and data quality. Applies to web and app tracking across marketing channels.

When invoking: On first use, if helpful, open with 1-2 sentences on what this skill covers and why it matters, then provide the main output. On subsequent use or when the user asks to skip, go directly to the main output.

User ID

• Purpose: Cross-device, cross-session user identification
• Implementation: Set user_id when user is identified (e.g., login); send to GA4
• Benefit: Accurate attribution across sessions; better audience building

CTA Attribution (Article ROI)

Track CTA clicks on key articles to measure content ROI:

Action	Purpose
Event per CTA	e.g., cta_click with content_url, content_type
Conversion	Mark as conversion in GA4 for attribution
Use	Compare high vs low performers; optimize CTA placement and copy

See analytics-seo-monitoring for article database and benchmark context.

Scope

• GA4: Web data stream, gtag.js, configuration
• User ID: Cross-device, cross-session identification
• CTA attribution: Per-article conversion tracking for content ROI
• Events: Recommended and custom events
• Conversions: Key events, parameters
• Quality: Naming, testing, validation

GA4 Setup

Prerequisites

• Google Analytics property and web data stream
• Google tag (gtag.js) on all pages
• Measurement ID (e.g., G-XXXXXXXXXX)

Enhanced Measurement

Enable in Admin > Data Streams > Enhanced Measurement for automatic tracking of:

• Page views, scrolls, outbound clicks
• Site search, file downloads
• Video engagement (YouTube)

Event Tracking

Event Types

Type	Description
Automatically collected	page_view, first_visit, session_start
Enhanced measurement	scroll, click, file_download, etc.
Recommended	purchase, sign_up, search, etc.
Custom	Business-specific actions

Naming Conventions

• Length: <=60 characters
• Format: snake_case, lowercase
• Verb first: download_pdf, submit_form, video_play
• Context: pricing_page_scroll vs generic scroll

gtag.js Syntax

gtag('event', '<event_name>', {
  <parameter_name>: <value>,
  // e.g. value: 99.99, currency: 'USD'
});

Place below the Google tag snippet. Events fire on page load or user action (e.g., button click).

Recommended Events

Event	Use	Key Parameters
purchase	E-commerce	value, currency, items
sign_up	Registration	method
login	Login	method
search	Site search	search_term
view_item	Product view	items
add_to_cart	Add to cart	items

Custom Events

• Focus on 15-25 meaningful events aligned with KPIs
• Add parameters for context (e.g., content_type, item_id)
• Avoid tracking everything; prioritize quality over quantity

Conversions (Key Events)

• Mark important events as conversions in GA4 Admin
• Use for attribution, audiences, and reporting
• Typical: purchase, sign_up, lead, contact

Testing & Validation

Tool	Use
Realtime	See events as they fire
DebugView	Detailed event/parameter inspection; requires debug mode
GA4 Debug mode	gtag('config', 'G-XXX', { 'debug_mode': true }); or GTM preview

• Test before launch; verify parameters and naming
• Check for duplicate events, missing values

Output Format

• Event list (name, trigger, parameters)
• Implementation notes (gtag or GTM)
• Conversion mapping
• Testing checklist

Related Skills

• analytics-traffic: UTM and source attribution
• analytics-ai-traffic: AI traffic in GA4
• analytics-google-search-console: GSC analysis (correlate with GA4)
• analytics-seo-monitoring: Article database, benchmark, full SEO monitoring framework