Using GA4 can be a learning curve for many of us – but Google is doing its best to make life easier by updating the tool regularly.
However, navigating to Google’s release notes and understanding the impact of these updates isn’t the most intuitive process when we’re swept up in day-to-day business.
That’s why we’re stepping in to explain, in clear terms, what the latest GA4 updates mean – and why you should care about them.
Let’s take a look at Benchmarking.
Benchmarking
Overview
Google Analytics now lets you compare your business performance with others in your industry using benchmarks. These benchmarks are based on industry categories and percentiles (e.g., median, 25th, 75th) and are updated every 24 hours. They help businesses spot areas to improve, set goals, and understand how they compare to competitors for better growth.
What was happening before?
- No easy way to compare performance with other businesses in the industry.
- Businesses could track their own data but lacked industry benchmarks.
- Harder to identify areas for improvement or set performance goals based on industry standards.
What happens now?
- Businesses can easily compare their performance to others in the same field.
- Clear benchmarks help them understand if their results are strong or need improvement.
- Setting goals becomes easier because they have industry standards to guide their targets and progress.
What does it mean for me?
Businesses now have a simpler way to track their performance against others. The process of comparing results is automated, with data refreshed daily, making it quick and easy to see where improvements are needed.
Benchmarking helps businesses stay on top of their goals by providing ongoing insights, so they can adjust their strategies without having to manually search for comparisons or interpret complex data.
It streamlines day-to-day decision-making and keeps businesses aligned with industry standards.
