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Google Analytics 4beginner 7 min read 3 steps

How to Connect GA4 to Google Ads

In GA4, go to Admin > Google Ads Links > Link. Select your Google Ads account, enable auto-tagging and personalised advertising, and submit. This lets you see Google Ads data in GA4 acquisition reports, import GA4 Key Events as Google Ads conversions for smart bidding, and share GA4 audiences with G

Account Setupconnect ga4 google ads

Quick summary

In GA4, go to Admin > Google Ads Links > Link. Select your Google Ads account, enable auto-tagging and personalised advertising, and submit. This lets you see Google Ads data in GA4 acquisition reports, import GA4 Key Events as Google Ads conversions for smart bidding, and share GA4 audiences with G

Process Flow

Animated overview of the full workflow

Start
1Step-by-Step Setup
2Best Practices
3Common Issues and Solutions
Complete

TL;DR

In GA4, go to Admin > Google Ads Links > Link. Select your Google Ads account, enable auto-tagging and personalised advertising, and submit. This lets you see Google Ads data in GA4 acquisition reports, import GA4 Key Events as Google Ads conversions for smart bidding, and share GA4 audiences with Google Ads for remarketing. The link is forward-looking — historical data before linking is not backfilled.

Overview

In GA4, go to Admin > Google Ads Links > Link. Select your Google Ads account, enable auto-tagging and personalised advertising, and submit. This lets you see Google Ads data in GA4 acquisition reports, import GA4 Key Events as Google Ads conversions for smart bidding, and share GA4 audiences with Google Ads for remarketing. The link is forward-looking — historical data before linking is not backfilled.

Related Guides

See our complete guide library for detailed coverage of setup, tracking, analysis, and optimisation across all platforms.

Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these 3 steps to complete this guide

  1. 1

    Step-by-Step Setup

    Access your account or platform. Navigate to the relevant section. Complete each configuration step, testing along the way. Verify your setup using built-in diagnostic tools before relying on the data for decisions.

  2. 2

    Best Practices

    Start with recommended defaults and optimise based on data. Review performance regularly. Make incremental changes. Document your configuration.

  3. 3

    Common Issues and Solutions

    Check the platform's help centre for troubleshooting. Allow 24-48 hours for data to populate. Ensure correct permissions. Verify all integrations are active and properly configured.

Frequently asked

Questions & answers

How long does setup take?

Most configurations take 10-30 minutes.

What if data is not appearing?

Allow 24-48 hours for data processing. Use real-time reports or debug tools to verify installation immediately.

Where can I learn more?

Check our related guides and the platform's official documentation for advanced topics.

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