[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

You can create comparisons using exact matches or partial match phrases.

Applying comparisons with exact matches

Exact matching allows you compare data that precisely matches or does not match specific dimension values.

To create a comparison using exact matches:

1. Click at the top of a report.
2. Click + Add new comparison.
3. In the Dimension drop-down, choose a dimension. Only dimensions that have dimension values appear in the list. Google grays out a dimension if it's incompatible with other dimensions in a report.
4. In the Match Type field, select Exactly matches or Does not exactly match.
5. Select one or more dimension values.
6. (Optional) Click Add new condition to create up to 4 more conditions.
7. Click Apply.

Applying comparisons with partial matches

Partial match phrases provide greater flexibility in comparing dimension values. You can create comparisons using the following match types:

• contains
• does not contain

Partial match phrases are case sensitive.

1. Click at the top of a report.
2. Click + Add new comparison.
3. Select a dimension. Only dimensions that have dimension values appear in the list. Google grays out a dimension if it's incompatible with other dimensions in a report.
4. In the Match Type field, select contains or does not contain.
5. In the text box enter the partial match value.
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.