Web Analytics
Boise State utilizes Google Analytics to collect data about the performance of our web content and how our website audience interacts with our content. We can use this data to improve the user experience on our site and better communicate our message.
About Google Analytics
As of July 1, 2023, Google Analytics 4 (GA4) has replaced Google Universal Analytics.
GA4 is a completely new analytics experience, providing a very different user interface. All Google Analytics data now resides in one big pool, so if you are looking for data specific to your department or college, you will need to understand know how to use GA4 to filter data.
Google Analytics collects the following types of data:
- Information about your website audience, such as where they are located, how many new and returning visitors you have, how often they visit your website, and what devices they use to view your web content.
- How people find and access your site, whether through search, a campaign URL, or following a link from another site.
- What people do once they find your site, including buttons and links they click, pages with the most views, and top entry and exit pages.
- Cross-site tracking to capture journeys across different Boise State sites.
The Office of Communications and Marketing and Office of Information Technology have partnered with MetricsEdge to build a GA4 dashboard (see Comprehensive GA4 Dashboard section) that can be used to view and share data about our website.
Historical Data
If you wish to save historical data from Google Universal Analytics for archive purposes, we recommend that you download your historical data before Fall 2023. The industry standard is to have two years of historical web data available for reference.
Information about how to export your data is available on Google’s website:
How to export and share reports
Comprehensive GA4 Dashboard
Metrics Edge has created a comprehensive dashboard populated with Google Analytics 4 data, allowing you to view metrics for your specific program or department. The dashboard is adaptable, and we work with MetricsEdge to continually improve the tool based on the insights you are looking for.
Access the Comprehensive Dashboard
Authorized users may use their Boise State credentials to access the dashboard through Looker Studio:
Comprehensive University Website Dashboard
Request Access
Request access to the GA4 dashboard, or raw GA4 data, through the Help Desk:
GA4 Event Parameters
MetricsEdge maintains a list of GA4 event parameters used for analysis of raw GA4 data in our Boise State environment.
Learn About Google Analytics 4
Google Analytics 4 Tutorials
Our MetricsEdge partners produced a series of videos to filter raw GA4 data to answer common analytics questions.
Self-Paced Training
Self-paced training is available through the Google Analytics 4 Skillshop:
Get Help
For assistance with Google Analytics, please contact the Help Desk:
Additional Consultation
MetricsEdge is available to consult with primary college and department communications and marketing staff to help them gain insights into recruitment, campaigns, and other digital strategies. To request a consultation, please contact the Help Desk and provide a summary of your business need.