Report Snapshot in GA4

January 2, 2025

If you’re managing a website and need to provide clear and concise updates to your clients, team members, or managers, Google Analytics 4 (GA4) can be a powerful tool.

However, navigating GA4’s complex reports to deliver essential data isn’t always straightforward.

That’s where custom report snapshots come in.

In this guide, I’ll walk through the step-by-step process of creating tailored report snapshots in GA4.

So let’s dig into what it means and how you can leverage the information.

Table of Contents

Video Run Through

What Are Report Snapshots in GA4?

A report snapshot is a consolidated view of your key performance metrics, designed to provide high-level insights at a glance.

These snapshots can be customised to include the most relevant information, making them ideal for stakeholders who don’t need to dive deep into the details.

Step 1: Navigate to the Library and Create an Overview Report

To get started, head to the Library section in GA4. This is where you can create new reports and manage existing ones.

  1. Select Create Overview Report to build the skeleton of your snapshot.
  2. Use the available templates to add cards, such as:
    • Event count by event name
    • Organic search console impressions
    • Active users by language
  3. Rearrange cards by dragging and dropping them to prioritise key metrics.

Step 2: Customise Your Report for Specific Needs

GA4 allows you to customise your reports to focus on metrics most relevant to your audience.

  1. Navigate to an existing report, such as the Traffic Acquisition Report.
  2. Click Customise Report and select the metrics and filters you need.
  3. Add a new summary card by choosing relevant dimensions, such as:
    • Session Source/Medium
    • Session Key Event Rate
  4. Customise the visualisation style (e.g., table, bar chart) to suit your preferences.
  5. Save your changes to ensure the custom card is available for your snapshot.

Step 3: Add Custom Cards to Your Report Snapshot

Once you’ve customised the necessary metrics, incorporate them into your report snapshot.

  1. Return to your overview report in the Library.
  2. Click Edit and select Add Card to insert your custom metrics.
  3. Rearrange the cards as needed to emphasise the most important data.
  4. Save your changes.

Step 4: Automate Report Sharing with Email Scheduling

One of GA4’s most useful features is the ability to schedule email reports, making it easy to share snapshots regularly.

  1. Click Share This Report in the top-right corner of your dashboard.
  2. Schedule an email by selecting the recipient, frequency (e.g., daily, monthly), and delivery format (PDF).
  3. Ensure your snapshot settings (e.g., date range, user segment) are correctly configured before scheduling.

This feature ensures your stakeholders receive timely updates without manually exporting and sending reports.

Limitations of GA4 Report Snapshots

While GA4’s report snapshots are highly useful, they do have limitations:

  • Design Constraints: You cannot customise colours or branding.
  • Drill-Down Analysis: Advanced features like comparisons and drill-downs are not readily available.
  • Looker Studio Integration: For more sophisticated reporting needs, consider building reports in Looker Studio.

Why Use Report Snapshots in GA4?

Custom report snapshots provide a straightforward way to deliver actionable insights, ensuring your clients or team members can access critical data quickly.

They’re particularly useful for:

  • Business owners needing high-level metrics.
  • Clients requiring regular performance updates.
  • Teams collaborating on digital marketing efforts

Conclusion

Creating custom report snapshots in GA4 is a simple yet powerful way to streamline your reporting process. By leveraging overview reports, custom cards, and email scheduling, you can deliver meaningful insights in a format that’s easy to access and understand.

If you’re ready to enhance your reporting process, follow these steps and start building tailored snapshots today. For more advanced needs, consider integrating GA4 data into Looker Studio for deeper customisation.

Kyle

Author

Hello, I'm Kyle Rushton McGregor!

I’m an experienced GA4 Specialist with a demonstrated history of working with Google Tag Manager and Looker Studio. I’m an international speaker who has trained 1000s of people on all things analytics.

Find out more About me
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