[UA] Create and use MCF Channel Groupings

By default, the channel labels that you see in Multi-Channel Funnels reports (Paid Search, Organic Search, Social Network, etc.) are defined as part of the MCF Channel Grouping. If you have specific analysis requirements, you may wish to create your own Custom Channel Grouping(s), each with its own set of labels. However, the MCF Channel Grouping labels are sufficient for many analysts' needs.

Dimensions for Campaign Manager 360, Display & Video 360, and Search Ads 360 are not available for Default Channel Groupings. Those dimensions are, however, available for custom Channel Groupings that you create.

In this article:

• View the default label definitions
• How channel groupings work
• Apply a Custom Channel Grouping to a report
• Create a Custom Channel Grouping
• Copy, share, or delete a Custom Channel Grouping

View the default label definitions (i.e., MCF Channel Grouping)

To see how default labels (such as Social Network) are defined in the MCF Channel Grouping:

1. In the Top Conversion Paths or the Assisted Conversion report, click Channel Groupings as the Primary Dimension, and select Copy MCF Channel Grouping template.
2. To see how a label is defined, click the Edit (pencil) icon.
3. When you have finished reviewing label definitions, click the Cancel link.

You can also refer to the channel definitions in About MCF Channels (and the MCF Channel Grouping).

How channel groupings work

A channel grouping is a set of labels, with each label applied to a channel or group of channels that you want to see in your reports. For example, the MCF Channel Grouping is a pre-defined channel grouping.

You specify which channels belong to which labels when you define the channel grouping. Here are some examples of channel groupings that you might define:

• Search/Affiliate/Display: a Search label, an Affiliate label, and a Display Ad label
• Paid Search/Display: a Paid Search label and a Display Ad label
• Brand/Generic Paid Search: a Brand Paid Search label and a Generic Paid Search label. Learn more about Brand and Generic Paid Search Channels.

The rules are interpreted in the order in which they are defined, and each channel grouping must contain at least one label. Any channels that aren't included in the first rule (i.e., the first label) fall through to the second rule, if there is one. Channels that aren't included in the second rule (i.e., the second label) fall through to the third rule, if there is one. Any channels that remain after applying all the rules will be included in the fallback label other.

Apply a Custom Channel Grouping to a report

The Overview, Top Conversion Paths, and Assisted Conversion reports all use the MCF Channel Grouping by default. However, in the Top Conversion Paths and Assisted Conversions reports, you can apply any other Custom Channel Grouping that you've created.

To apply a Custom Channel Grouping, click Channel Groupings as the Primary Dimension, then select the Custom Channel Grouping you want to apply.

Custom Channel Groupings don't actually alter your data; they simply allow you to label and aggregate channels while you're looking at a report.

Cost data may not be available for Custom Channel Groupings in the Multi-Channel Funnels reports.

Create a Custom Channel Grouping

To create your own Custom Channel Grouping, you can copy the MCF Channel Grouping and use it as a template to get started. Or, you can create a new Custom Channel Grouping from scratch. You may create as many Custom Channel Groupings as you want.

To create a new Custom Channel Grouping:

1. In the Top Conversion Paths or Assisted Conversion report, click Channel Groupings as the Primary Dimension, and select Create a custom Channel Grouping.
2. Enter a name for the channel grouping.
3. Click Define a new channel for each label you want to appear in your reports. For example, to group all search traffic and label it as Search, create a rule with the following conditions:
   
   (Medium contains cpc) OR (Medium contains organic)
4. Click the Done button to save each channel definition.
5. When you have finished adding rules, click the Save button.

Copy, share, or delete a Custom Channel Grouping

After you have created and saved a Custom Channel Grouping, you can copy, delete, or share it directly with others, or share it in the Solutions Gallery.

When you share a Custom Channel Grouping, only the configuration information is shared. Your data remains private. Learn more about sharing assets, including how to share many Custom Channel Groupings at the same time.

You can also delete or copy a Custom Channel Grouping. When you copy a Custom Grouping, you can use it as a foundation for creating another Custom Channel Grouping.

To copy, share, or delete a Custom Channel Grouping:

1. Sign in to your Analytics Account.
2. Click Admin.
3. Navigate to your desired view.
4. In the View column, click Custom Channel Groupings.
5. From the Actions drop-down menu, select Copy, Share, or Delete.