GA4 Views: How To Create a “View” in Google Analytics 4

Updated: 8/8/23 When it comes to Google Analytics views, there is good news and bad news. The bad news is that technically Views no longer exist in GA4. The good news, however, is that we can use report filters to replicate much of the same functionality that we liked about views from the days of Universal Analytics.

We’ll cover 3 things in this blog post.

1. What’s up with Views in Google Analytics 4? (and data streams too)
2. How can you create your own Views in GA4 using filters? (Or at least get close)
3. How to save your new filtered report?

Let’s dive right in.

Where Are Views in Google Analytics 4?

GA4 simply does not have Views. This is one of the many differences between GA4 and UA and it’s because the account structure is entirely different.

The Universal Analytics Account Structure

In Universal Analytics, the structure included 3 elements: Account –> Property –> View. The Account level lines up with an overall organization. Each distinct web property (like a website or an app) had its own unique tracking code and existed at the Property level of the structure. And Views were where you actually looked at your data and reports.

Check out the Admin section of the Root and Branch UA property below. Account level settings are in the left column. Property level settings are in the central column. View level settings are in the right column. If you squint, you can see that this is the “Master View” that we are in here. Check out all of those options in the red box. Things like Goals, Filters, Segments, Content Grouping and more were all managed at the View level.

The accepted “best practice” was to have at least three Views: an Unfiltered View that was your raw data without any filters applied, a Test View that you could use in trying our new filters and new configurations to make sure they worked properly, and a Master View that you used on a daily basis.

The Google Analytics 4 (GA4) Account Structure

The GA4 account structure only has two levels: Account –> Property. Like with UA, the Account level lines up with an overall organization. Unlike UA, each distinct web property (like a website or an app) lives in the same Property level of the structure. This allows app and website data to be combined in a single property and can create a unified view of online visitors across both a website and an app. In fact, GA4 was previously called the “App + Web Property” when it was first released in beta. 

When you look at the Admin section of GA4, you’ll see settings for only the Account and the Property level of the hierarchy. One of the available options in the Property settings is Data Streams. Check the 4th one down from the top. When a website and an app exist together in the same property, each will have their own Data Stream that flows into the property.

The Data stream isn’t technically part of the GA4 account hierarchy. However, it’s still important to understand how Data streams work.

What is a Data Stream in GA4?

A data stream is a source of data from your website or mobile app to Google Analytics 4. There are 3 types of data streams available in GA4. You can have a web stream. This is the only type of stream in the Root and Branch GA4 property because there is no app. The other two types of streams are an iOS app stream and an Android app stream.

Check out the 3 options below on the right side of the image. You can also read the Google support article here if you’re interested.

Each data stream has settings that help to control the specific data is displayed in the GA4 Property. You can see some of those settings below. However, almost none of these settings can help us to replicate the View functionality that we had in UA. One small exception is the “Define internal traffic” feature, which allows us to block out our internal traffic from our GA4 reports. Check out the 4th option from the bottom in the image below. Here’s how to do that in under 3 minutes if you’re interested.

So if we can’t use our Data Stream settings to replicate View functionality, how can we create View-like functionality in GA4? For that we need to use Filters and the standard GA4 reports.

How to Create a “View” in GA4

To create a close approximation to Views, you can use GA4 filters. Here’s how to do it.

First, click into the “Reports” section of GA4.

From there, you’ll need to have a specific plan for the “View” (filtered report) that you want to create. In our case, let’s say we want to create a version of the Events report that is limited only to visitors from the United States.

So, look in your “Engagement” reporting area and click into the “Events” report.

There are now two options for filtering your report to approximate a View. You can use the “Add filter” function (yellow arrow) to temporarily filter your report. Or, you make your filter permanent by creating a new custom report (red arrow). 

We’re going to make a new custom filtered report so click the pencil icon by the red arrow. Let’s finish up the process below.

Using GA4 Filters as Views

To create your filtered report, you should have clicked on the pencil icon in the top right of the screen to “Customize report.”

Now, click “Add filter” on the right side of the screen.

Click “Select dimension” to select the dimension you want to filter on.

Note: See that this filter is set to “Include” by default. If you click the drop down arrow to the right of “Include” you’ll also see the option to build your filter based on Excluding specific dimensions.

Since we want to create a filtered report that will only show Events in the United States, we’re going to stay with the “Include” condition.

Search for the “Country” dimension and select “United States”. Just like below. Then, click “OK”.

Then, hit the blue “Apply” button in the bottom right of your screen.

You’ll see your report re-build to only include the data that you wanted to see in view. 

Now, it’s time to save your report so you can retain permanent access to it within your list of standard reports.

How to Save Your Filtered Report

Now, click the blue button to “Save” the report.

Choose option to save 

Now it’s time to give your report a name. You can see our name below. Then, click “Save”.

Saving it as a new report will make it available in your Library of available GA4 reports. Let’s go to Library so we can add your new report to a “Collection” 

You should see your newly created report at the top of your listed reports. This is what you’ll be adding to your reporting collection.

Instead of clicking on your new report, click into your “Life cycle” Collection above the list of reports.

Click “Edit collection” as below.

Find your new report on the right hand side (see red arrow on right). Then, drag it over to the report on the left to the place where you’d like to show up in your list of reports.. You can re-order other reports as well.

Then, click “Save”.

You’ll now have it available for easy reference.

Other Reporting Resources in GA4

Reporting in GA4 is quite different from UA. Not only are Views a thing of the past in GA4, but many other elements are either completely new or quite different.

Here are several resources that should make things easier for you.

Event Parameters in GA4

A “parameter” is a piece of data that adds additional context to a web interaction (an “event”). For example, an internal link click might be called internal_link_click event. The event will register and record data each time the event occurs. But if you want to see additional information like the specific link that was clicked or the text of the link that was clicked, you’re talking about event parameters.

Event parameters are handled very differently in GA4 than in UA. And any comprehensive understanding of reporting requires understanding GA4 event parameters.

GA4 Users

Did you know that some GA4 reports show “Active users” by default while others show “Total users”? And how can you find your new vs. returning users? This updated guide to GA4 users has the info.

Path Analysis in GA4

The Path Exploration report in GA4 is one of the new reports that is available within the “Explore” section of GA4. Path Exploration compares to the Behavior Flow report in UA and represents a big upgrade for GA4. Unlike in UA, the Path Exploration report works based on either a starting point OR an ending point. Here’s how to use it.

Campaign Reporting With UTMs in GA4

Do you know how to access your UTM tagged campaign traffic in GA4? This is necessary to track how your marketing campaigns are performing. It’s also useful for measuring traffic mediums (like email) that Google Analytics can’t classify on its own. Check out the guide to Google Analytics 4 UTM parameters here.

Looking for something else? Feel free to leave a note in the comments or on the Root and Branch YouTube channel at youtube.com/@rooted-digital. We’re always looking for new content ideas!

Wrapping Up

Universal Analytics properties are winding down. In other words, now is the time to get more comfortable with GA4.

If you’re still someone learning about GA4 (as I am), I’d recommend checking out this GA4 vs. UA comparison or this list of updated GA4 questions. You can also subscribe to the Root and Branch YouTube channel for an updated video every week or so. I’ll see you there! There are explainers and tutorials for tracking like this.

• GA4 page timer tracking
• Bounce rate in GA4 vs UA
• How to set up a GA4 form submission conversion
• How to see UTM tagged campaign data in GA4
• How to create the Source/Medium traffic report in GA4
• How to set up a custom dimension in 7 steps (and why you need to if you want to see event parameter data)
• How to link Google Ads and GA4
• How to link Google Search Console and GA4

About Root & Branch

Root & Branch is a certified Google Partner agency and focuses on paid search (PPC), SEO, Local SEO, and Google Analytics. You can learn more about us here. Or hit the button below to check out YouTube for more digital marketing tips and training resources.