Google Analytics 4intermediate 10 min read 3 steps

GA4 Explorations: How to Build Custom Analysis

Explorations are GA4's advanced analysis tool. Go to Explore > create a new exploration. Choose a technique: Free-form (drag-and-drop custom tables with any dimensions and metrics), Funnel exploration (visualise step-by-step conversion paths), Path exploration (see how users navigate your site), Seg

Reports & Analysisga4 explorations

Quick summary

Explorations are GA4's advanced analysis tool. Go to Explore > create a new exploration. Choose a technique: Free-form (drag-and-drop custom tables with any dimensions and metrics), Funnel exploration (visualise step-by-step conversion paths), Path exploration (see how users navigate your site), Seg

Process Flow

Animated overview of the full workflow

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

TL;DR

Explorations are GA4's advanced analysis tool. Go to Explore > create a new exploration. Choose a technique: Free-form (drag-and-drop custom tables with any dimensions and metrics), Funnel exploration (visualise step-by-step conversion paths), Path exploration (see how users navigate your site), Segment overlap (compare audience segments), Cohort exploration (analyse user groups over time). Set your date range, add segments, dimensions, and metrics to the Variables panel, then drag them into the Tab Settings to build your analysis.


Overview

Explorations are GA4's advanced analysis tool. Go to Explore > create a new exploration. Choose a technique: Free-form (drag-and-drop custom tables with any dimensions and metrics), Funnel exploration (visualise step-by-step conversion paths), Path exploration (see how users navigate your site), Segment overlap (compare audience segments), Cohort exploration (analyse user groups over time). Set your date range, add segments, dimensions, and metrics to the Variables panel, then drag them into the Tab Settings to build your analysis.

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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