How to Add Google Analytics to Shopify: Complete Guide
What Is Add Google Analytics to Shopify and Why Use It on Shopify?
Add Google Analytics to Shopify is a free tool that shows who visits your website, what they do, and how they found you.
Adding Google Analytics to Shopify helps you:
- Track traffic
- See what pages people visit
- Find what products get attention
- Learn how customers find your store
With the right data, you can make smart choices and grow your store faster.
Note: Google has shut down Universal Analytics. All Shopify stores must now use Google Analytics 4 (GA4) for tracking.
Table of Contents
Shopify Analytics vs. Google Analytics
Shopify Analytics shows:
- Sales and conversion rates
- Traffic sources
- Top products
- Customer reports
But Google Analytics goes deeper. It shows:
- Time spent on pages
- Bounce rate (who leaves quickly)
- New vs. returning visitors
- How customers move through your site
Use both Shopify Analytics and Google Analytics together for better insights.
Before You Begin: What You Need
To add Google Analytics to Shopify, you need:
- A Google Account
- A Shopify store
- Access to your Shopify admin panel
Also, make sure your Shopify theme doesn’t block tracking codes.
Step-by-Step: How to Add Google Analytics to Shopify (2025 Version)
Let’s go step-by-step and connect Google Analytics to your Shopify store.
Step 1: Create a Google Analytics Account
- Visit google analytics
- Click Start Measuring
- Enter your Account Name (e.g. KlinKode Store)
- Click Next and choose “Web”
- Enter your Website Name and URL
- Set Time Zone and Currency
- Accept Terms and Conditions
You will now be taken to the Google Analytics dashboard.
Step 2: Set Up GA4 (Google Analytics 4)
- After setup, Google will create a GA4 Property.
- Click Data Streams
- Choose Web > Add your Shopify store URL
- You will get a Measurement ID (looks like: G-XXXXXXX)
Copy this ID. You’ll need it soon!
Step 3: Add Google Analytics to Shopify
- Log in to your Shopify admin
- Click Settings > Customer events (new GA4 integration section)
- Click Connect > Google > Google Analytics 4
- Paste your Measurement ID
- Click Save
Shopify now supports GA4 directly—no coding needed!
Step 4: Verify the Setup
After 24 hours, check Google Analytics:
- Open your GA4 Dashboard
- Click Reports > Real-Time
- Visit your Shopify store in another tab
If you see activity, your Google Analytics is working!
Shopify Analytics Tools vs. Google Analytics
Feature | Shopify Analytics | Google Analytics |
Sales Data | Yes | Yes |
Traffic Sources | Basic | Advanced |
Real-Time Data | Yes | Yes |
Visitor Behavior | No | Yes |
Bounce Rate | No | Yes |
Funnels & Goals | No | Yes |
Google Analytics is best for deep insights, Shopify Analytics is best for quick sales checks.
How to Verify Your GA4 Setup on Shopify
After adding your GA4 tag via Google Tag Manager or manual script:
- Visit your store in a new incognito window
- In GA4, go to Admin > DebugView or Realtime Report
- Look for your activity (page_view, session_start)
- If nothing shows, check for duplicate or broken GTM/GA snippets
Common Issues When Adding GA4 to Shopify (and Fixes)
Issue | Fix |
---|---|
No data in GA4 | Double-check correct measurement ID or GTM container installed |
GA showing duplicate pageviews | Avoid placing GA script in two locations (e.g., theme + GTM) |
Checkout not tracked (Shopify Basic) | Shopify restricts checkout tracking—upgrade or use Shopify Plus |
How to Use Google Analytics on Shopify (Simple Tips)
1. Track Where Visitors Come From
See if your customers come from:
- Google Search
- Social Media (Instagram, Facebook)
- Email Campaigns
2. Find Popular Pages
Learn what blog posts or product pages people love most. Use this info to:
- Improve best-sellers
- Promote popular content
3. Understand Buyer Behavior
Use GA4’s path reports to track:
- What page they visit first
- Where they click next
- When they drop off
Use these insights to fix weak pages and improve conversion rates.
Troubleshooting: Google Analytics Not Working on Shopify?
Here’s what to check:
- Is the Measurement ID correct?
- Did you paste it in the right Shopify section?
- Waited 24 hours?
- Using ad blockers?
Still stuck? Use Google’s Tag Assistant Chrome extension to test.
Most issues are easy to fix once you check the basics.
Shopify Blog and Google Analytics: Track Blog Performance
If you post blogs, use Google Analytics to track:
- Which posts get the most views
- Time spent on each blog post
- Which posts lead to sales
Shopify blog post SEO + Google Analytics = better content strategy.
Add blog categories and internal links to improve traffic flow.
Tips to Boost SEO and Analytics Together
- Use a clean Shopify blog template
- Add keywords in your blog titles and headings
- Compress blog images for faster loading
- Use alt text on images (Google loves this!)
- Link blog posts to products and collections
SEO + analytics = growth without ads!
Best Shopify Apps for Analytics Help
App | What It Does |
GA4 Reports | Sync Shopify and GA4 easily |
Report Toaster | Custom sales and traffic reports |
Lucky Orange | Heatmaps and session replays |
These apps help if you want advanced reporting tools with Shopify data.
Google Analytics for Shopify FAQ
Q1: Is Google Analytics free to use on Shopify?
Yes, it’s completely free.
Q2: What’s GA4 and is it required?
GA4 is the latest version of Google Analytics and is now required.
Q3: Can I track blog visits in GA4?
Yes! Just look under “Pages and screens.”
Q4: Do I need any apps to install Google Analytics on Shopify?
No. Shopify has built-in support for GA4.
Q5: How long does it take for Google Analytics to show data?
Usually 24 hours, but real-time reports update instantly.
Final Thoughts: Why You Should Add Google Analytics to Shopify
Add Google Analytics to Shopify is one of the best things you can do.
You’ll be able to:
- Track traffic
- See what’s working
- Improve your marketing
- Boost your conversion rate