GA4 vs Looker Studio: When to Use Each One?
GA4 VS LOOKER STUDIO (Features):
- GA4 it is ideal for rapid exploratory analysis and data validation.
- Looker Studio it is best suited for creating advanced visualizations and sharing reports.
- Always validate data in GA4 before building dashboards in Looker Studio.
- Both tools have strengths and weaknesses that must be considered depending on the context.
Table of contents:
When to use GA4?
1. Rapid or one-time exploratory analysis
Google Analytics 4 (GA4) is particularly effective for answering specific questions or validating hypotheses. Its section of Explore offers tools for performing exploratory analysis quickly. If your goal is, for example, to investigate the behavior of a specific metric or verify the correlation between two variables, GA4 makes it easy to do so.
2. Deepening the raw data
GA4's ability to provide access to data as it's collected, without extensive transformation, ensures that the data is accurate and meaningful before being sent to more advanced visualization tools.
3. Integration limitations
Certain elements, such as segments and comparisons created in GA4, are not available in Looker Studio through the native connector. This limitation may impact the workflow of those who require both tools.
When to use Looker Studio?
1. Recurring reports and dashboards or to share with third parties
Looker Studio excels at creating custom visualizations and interactive dashboards. If you need to generate recurring reports or share results, this tool is the one for you.
2. Personalization and advanced visualization
Looker Studio offers a considerable variety of chart types and formatting options. This is particularly useful for more comprehensive and visual analyses.
3. Automation and distribution
The ability to automate report updates and control data access is one of Looker Studio's key benefits. You can tailor information to different audiences.
4. Be careful with precision
Reports in Looker Studio may be more likely to display inaccurate data if dimensions and metrics are not configured correctly. This flexibility can lead to errors if the structure of the source data is not fully understood.
Create reports in Looker Studio
Technical considerations (ga4 vs looker studio)
There are limits to the amount of data Looker Studio can extract via API. This can be a hindrance for dashboards that require large volumes of data. Additionally, it's always a good idea to verify critical data directly in GA4 before automating any reports.
Practical summary (GA4 vs Looker Studio)
| Use case | GA4 Explore | Looker Studio |
|---|---|---|
| Answer ad-hoc questions | ✔️ | |
| Create visual and shareable dashboards | ✔️ | |
| Validate specific metrics or correlations | ✔️ | |
| Recurring reports for clients/businesses | ✔️ | |
| Advanced data access control | ✔️ | |
| Pre-scanning before automating | ✔️ |
In short, if your goal is to perform quick scans and validate data, GA4 is the most suitable tool. On the other hand, if you need advanced visualizations, scheduled reports or share results in a professional manner, you should opt for Looker Studio.
Conclusion
Choosing between GA4 and Looker Studio depends on your specific analytics and visualization needs. Both tools have their strengths and weaknesses. On our AI consulting and workflow automation team, we understand the importance of accurate analytics and effective visualizations. We're committed to helping you optimize your processes through the right solutions.
If you are interested in learning more about how to integrate data analysis tools into your business strategy or need specific advice contact us for more information. We're here to help you take your data analysis to the next level!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is GA4 better than Looker Studio?
It depends on your needs. GA4 is best for quick analysis and ad-hoc requests, while Looker Studio is optimal for data visualization and sharing reports.
Can I use both tools together?
Yes, but you should be aware of integration limitations and make sure to validate your data in GA4 before using it in Looker Studio.
Which tool is more accurate?
GA4 provides data as collected, which can result in greater accuracy in terms of direct validation.
