[GA4] How to create Google Analytics 4 key events from Google Ads

When you connect your Google Analytics (GA4) property to Google Ads, you can create, import, and manage GA4 key events in your Google Ads. You can create a conversion action during new account or campaign creation or the key event summary of your Google Ads account.

Benefits

Google Analytics 4 (GA4) provides in-depth reporting on how people use your website. You can use Google Analytics to learn what people do after clicking your ads. When you create or import GA4 key events from your Google Ads accounts, you get:

• More streamlined setup experience: Since linking allows data to flow between both products, you can use your existing GA4 conversions in Ads, or create new GA4 key events from Ads without having to re-tag your website
• More consistent measurement: You can view your Analytics key events across Google Ads and Analytics

Instructions

• Step 1: Link your Google Analytics 4 (GA4) property to an existing Google Ads account
• Step 2: Choose your key event goal
• Step 3: Set up how your measure your goal
• Step 4: View your goals and key events from your Google Ads and Google Analytics account

Note: The instructions below are part of the new design for the Google Ads user experience. To use the previous design, click the "Appearance" icon, and select Use previous design. If you're using the previous version of Google Ads, review the Quick reference map or use the Search bar in the top navigation panel of Google Ads to find the page you’re searching for.

1. Link your Google Analytics 4 property to an existing Google Ads account

Before you can create a GA4 key event from your Google Ads account, you need to link a Google Analytics property to your Google Ads account. You’ll need to complete this step first before you'll have access to the rest of the steps.

2. Choose your key event goal

Now that you've linked your Google Analytics property to your Google Ads account, you can create GA4 events, mark GA4 events as key events, and import them into Google Ads. You can do this during new account or campaign creation, or in the key event summary of your Google Ads account.

3. Set up how you measure your goal during new account or campaign creations

1. After you've selected your key event goal, click Set up.
2. If you’ve linked Google Analytics, you can chose to create a new Google Ads key event by:
   • Using existing events or key events from Google Analytics (GA4)
     1. You’ll notice a list of GA4 events and key events eligible for import. Select each key event and click Apply. If you select multiple key events, make sure they all measure the same goal. Learn more about importing Google Analytics key event into Google Ads.
   • Entering the URL where a key event is completed
     1. You should provide the URL that's triggered after a key event is completed, such as a thank you page or a confirmation page. Google Ads will optimize your campaign for visits to this page. Click Apply.
   • Setting up the key event manually using code after you create your campaign
     1. You should set up a conversion action manually later if you want to:
        • Calculate the value of each goal dynamically
        • Use translation IDs or other custom parameters
        • Measure clicks on buttons or links
     2. If you choose this action, you'll have to add an event snippet to your website code. You’ll be shown instructions on how to do this after you create your campaign.
     3. Click Apply.
3. Click Next. Finish setting up your campaign or account. Your ads will go live after a review.

If you want to set up a new key event goal or key event action from the key event summary follow these instructions.

4. View your goals and key events from your Google Ads and Google Analytics account

To view your key events in Google Ads, you can navigate to the key event summary page. You can also view your key events directly within Google Analytics.

Related links

• [GA4] About data import
• [GA4] Import key events into Google Ads