> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.rankability.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.rankability.com/track/connecting-google-analytics.md).

# Connecting and using Google Analytics 4

Connect your GA4 property to a client, understand the metric tiles, toggle chart lines, and use the source filter, granularity, and comparison controls.

The Google Analytics 4 (GA4) integration brings on-site traffic, engagement, and conversion data into Rankability so you can see what happens after users click through from search results.

You need access to the intended GA4 property through the Google account used for authorization and permission to manage integrations for the Rankability client. Before connecting, confirm the client's canonical domain, GA4 property name, and web data stream so similarly named properties are not confused.

## Connecting GA4 to a client

1. Navigate to a client and open **Track**.
2. Expand the **GA4 sessions** tile in the executive summary strip, or scroll to the GA4 Performance card.
3. Click **Connect Google Analytics**.
4. Sign in with the Google account that has access to the GA4 property.
5. Select the property that matches your client’s website.

Once connected, Rankability fetches your GA4 data and displays it immediately. Data refreshes each time you load the Track page.

The first response can be incomplete while Google data or Rankability's stored sync catches up. Use the selected date range and visible freshness/status information before treating a blank value as zero.

## Understanding the GA4 Performance card

The card displays five metric tiles across the top:

* **Sessions** – Total sessions for the selected period. Toggleable – click to show or hide the chart line.
* **Organic search** – Sessions from traditional search engines (Google, Bing, Yahoo, DuckDuckGo, and others). Toggleable.
* **AI referral** – Sessions from AI platforms (ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, Claude, and others). Toggleable.
* **Conversions** – GA4 conversion events. Toggleable.
* **Engagement rate** – The percentage of sessions that were engaged (display only, not charted).

Click any toggleable tile to add or remove its line from the trend chart below. Active tiles show a colored left border; inactive tiles appear dimmed.

## Controls

* **Source filter** – Filter all data by specific traffic sources. Choose individual engines and AI platforms, or use the preset buttons for All, Organic only, or AI only.
* **Date range** – Choose 7, 14, 28, or 90 days.
* **Granularity (D / W / M)** – Switch between daily, weekly, and monthly chart views.
* **Compare** – Overlay the previous period’s data as dashed lines on the chart.
* **Annotate** – Add notes to specific dates (see [Using GA4 annotations](/track/using-ga4-annotations.md)).

## Traffic sources breakdown

Below the chart, the card shows a detailed traffic sources table split into two sections: **Organic search** and **AI referral**. Each row shows the source name, its share of total sessions, and the session count. This helps you understand exactly where your traffic comes from.

## Verify the connection

1. Confirm that the property shown in Rankability matches the client's website.
2. Compare one recent date range with GA4 using the same dates and traffic scope.
3. Check that sessions and conversions are present before using rate changes in a client report.
4. Open [GA4 Explorer](/track/using-ga4-explorer.md) when you need page-level evidence rather than the summary.

Rankability groups sources for analysis, while GA4 remains the underlying measurement system. Differences can come from date boundaries, attribution, filters, source normalization, consent, and processing delay. A session classified as AI referral means the recorded referrer matched the supported AI-source logic; it does not prove which answer, citation, or prompt caused the visit.

## Common issues

* **The property is missing** — Sign in with an account that has access, reconnect, and review the property selector.
* **The card is empty** — Confirm the connection, date range, and that GA4 itself has data for the property. Allow time for recent data to process.
* **Metrics differ from GA4** — Match dates, timezone, source filter, and metric definition before comparing.
* **Authorization expired** — Reconnect from client integrations and reselect the property.
* **The wrong property was connected** — Disconnect or change the selection before relying on the data; record the client and property if support is needed.

## Related articles

* [Understanding organic search vs AI referral traffic](/track/organic-vs-ai-referral-traffic.md) — What these categories mean and why they matter.
* [Using GA4 annotations](/track/using-ga4-annotations.md) — Mark events on the GA4 chart timeline.
* [Reading per-keyword GA4 data](/track/per-keyword-ga4-data.md) — See GA4 metrics for individual tracked keywords.
* [Connecting and using Google Search Console](/track/connecting-google-search-console.md) — Set up GSC alongside GA4 for a complete picture.