[GA4] Apply comparisons to reports

Comparisons enable you to evaluate subsets of your data side by side. For example, you could compare all data generated by Android devices and all data generated by iOS devices.

In this context, comparisons take the place of segments and filters in Universal Analytics.

How it works

You create comparisons by creating conditions based on dimensions and dimension values. For example:

Dimension	Example dimension values
Stream	<stream ID>
Platform	Android, iOS, Web
Country	Argentina, Germany, Japan
Audience	Any audience you have defined

Multiple values for the same condition are evaluated with OR logic, e.g., Platform = Android OR iOS; Country = Argentina OR Japan. Multiple conditions within the same comparison are evaluated with AND logic, e.g., (Platform = Android OR iOS) AND (Country = Argentina OR Japan).

Apply a comparison to a report

To create a comparison:

1. Click at the top of a report.
2. Click + Add new comparison.
3. In the filter builder, choose Include or Exclude to include or exclude data.
4. In the Dimension drop-down, choose a dimension.
5. In the Dimension Values field, choose one or more dimension values.
6. Optional: Click Add new condition to create up to 4 more conditions.
7. Click Apply.

Create a separate comparison for each set of data you want to compare, e.g., to compare app and web data, create one comparison for Android and iOS, and another comparison for Web.

A color-coded version of the data appears for each comparison.

Comparison definitions appear at the top of your reports, and remain in effect as you switch reports unless they are not applicable to the data in the report.

To dismiss a comparison, click X to the right of the definition.

Limitations

If a report doesn't support a condition (e.g., the report doesn't include one of the dimensions), then a blank card appears for that comparison. In this case, choose different dimensions for the condition or remove the condition. This is most likely to occur in the Realtime report.

Not all dimension values may be available. Some dimensions are not allowed to be excluded, while others are not available due to your configuration.