Setting Up Google Analytics 4 for Broken Link Tracking

If you haven't upgraded from Universal Analytics to Google Analytics 4 (GA4), now is the time. Follow these steps to set up GA4 and start tracking broken links:

1. Create a new GA4 property in your Google Analytics account—you can do this by clicking on "Admin" and then "Create Property".
2. Set up a data stream for your website: click on "Data Streams" under the property column, then click "Add Stream" and select "Web".
3. Enter your website URL and stream name, then click "Create Stream".
4. Install the GA4 tracking code on your website—you can find the code under "Tagging Instructions" in the data stream settings.

Once you have GA4 set up, you can start tracking broken links. Here's how:

• Go to the "Reports" section in your GA4 property.
• Click on "Engagement" and then "Pages and screens".
• Click on the "Add filter" button and select "Page path and screen class".
• Enter "404" or "page not found" in the filter field to see pages with broken links.

For example, if you have a broken link on your website that leads to "https://www.example.com/broken-page", it will show up in the GA4 report under the page path "/broken-page" with a "404" status code.

By regularly monitoring your GA4 reports for pages with high bounce rates or "404" status codes, you can quickly identify and fix broken links, improving your website's user experience and SEO.

Locating Broken Links in Google Analytics 4

To find broken links using GA4, navigate to the appropriate reports:

1. In your GA4 property, click on "Reports" in the left-hand menu.
2. Expand the "Engagement" section and click on "Pages and screens".
3. Click on the "Add filter" button and select "Page path and screen class".
4. Enter "404" or "page not found" in the filter field to display pages with broken links.

GA4's "Path exploration" feature can help identify patterns in user journeys that lead to broken links. To use this feature:

1. Go to the "Explore" section in your GA4 property.
2. Click on "Path exploration" under the "Techniques" menu.
3. Select the desired date range and add a filter for "Page path and screen class" containing "404".
4. Analyze the tree graph to identify common paths users take before encountering a broken link.

Custom reports in GA4 allow you to track 404 errors more efficiently. To create a custom report for broken links:

1. Click on "Library" in the left-hand menu of your GA4 property.
2. Click on "Custom reports" and then "Create custom report".
3. Name your report (e.g., "Broken Links Report") and select the desired metrics and dimensions, such as "Page path and screen class" and "Page views".
4. Add a filter for "Page path and screen class" containing "404".
5. Save the report and access it anytime to monitor broken links on your website.

By utilizing these GA4 features and reports, you can effectively find broken links and take action to fix them, ensuring a better user experience and improved SEO for your website.

Simplifying Broken Link Detection with Google Analytics Integrations

While Google Analytics 4 provides powerful tools for identifying broken links, integrating additional plugins and tools can streamline the process. One such tool is MonsterInsights, a WordPress plugin that seamlessly integrates with Google Analytics.

MonsterInsights automatically tags 404 errors in Google Analytics, making it easier to spot broken links without manually setting up filters or custom reports. The plugin also offers real-time tracking and detailed reports, allowing you to quickly identify and fix broken links.

Once you've identified broken links using Google Analytics or integrated tools, take action to fix them:

• Redirect the broken link to a relevant, existing page using a 301 redirect.
• Update the broken link to point to the correct URL.
• Remove the link altogether if it's no longer necessary.

To maintain website health and efficiency, establish a regular monitoring schedule using Google Analytics. Set aside time each week or month to review your GA4 reports, focusing on metrics like bounce rates, page views, and user paths. By consistently identifying and fixing broken links, you'll improve user experience, reduce bounce rates, and boost your website's SEO performance.

Leveraging Google Analytics 4 for comprehensive website analytics and maintenance is crucial in today's digital landscape. By setting up GA4 to track broken links, utilizing features like path exploration and custom reports, and integrating tools like MonsterInsights, you'll gain valuable insights into your website's health and user behavior.

Remember, broken links can significantly impact your website's user experience and search engine rankings. By regularly monitoring and fixing broken links using Google Analytics 4, you'll ensure your website remains efficient, user-friendly, and optimized for success.

Embrace the power of Google Analytics 4 and make broken link detection and repair an integral part of your website maintenance strategy. With the right tools and a proactive approach, you'll create a seamless user experience that keeps visitors engaged and coming back for more.