Are you also looking to learn how to track PDF downloads in Google Analytics?
Tracking PDFs and other downloadable resources will help you better understand your audience and conversion rate. Google Analytics 4 can also help gain deeper insights into this downloadable data.
Using GA4 for tracking PDFs can help you in the following ways:
- Enables you to understand how popular your downloadable resources are.
- Understand which type of content you should offer more for download and which to avoid.
- Saving you substantial time and money by allowing you to know and produce only on-demand downloadables.
In this blog, we’ve mentioned how to use Google Analytics 4 to track downloadable PDF files on your site. Let’s begin!
What is Tracking Downloads in Google Analytics?
When site visitors can download your media files to their device by clicking on the targeted links, this is called a download file. It generally downloads in the form of a PDF or more.
How to Track PDF Downloads in Google Analytics?
To track downloaded files in Google Analytics, you must switch on File Downloads in your Enhanced Measurement settings.
Here, we’ve mentioned a few simple steps to track downloaded files in GA4.
Step 1: Tap on Admin > Property > Data Streams and click on the Web data stream.
Step 2: Switch on Enhanced Measurement.
Step 3: Click on the clog.
Step 4: Switch on File Downloads and hit the “Save” button at the top of the panel.
Step 5: Whenever a visitor clicks on a link downloadable file on your website, you’ll see the file_download event navigated as Configure > Events.
How to View File Download Data in Google Analytics 4?
Before collecting file download data in Google Analytics 4, you must wait for at least 24-48 hours. It works a bit slower.
There are two main types of reports in GA4: standard reports and custom reports. Below, we’ve defined both properly.
1. Find File Download Data in Standard GA4 Reports
You can see events in standard GA4 reports. Go to Reports > Engagement > Events.
However, there is an issue regarding the granularity of the data. By clicking on the file-download event, you’ll lack details on the links you clicked.
If your site has ten different file downloads, all links will be grouped together in one number. You won’t know which file is the most popular and where users are downloading the content.
2. Find File Download Data in GA4 Custom Report
You can create a custom report to build a view of individual file downloads. To do so, follow the instructions mentioned below.
Go to “Explore” and then click on the Blank report template.
Write the name of your report and then add the relevant dimensions.
Add the + symbol and add the Event Name and File Name. Then, you need to click on the Import button.
Now, you need to add your metrics. Again, you click on the + icon and add Event Count and Total Users. Then, tap on the Import button.
Once you’re done with the process mentioned above, you can double-click all these or simply drag and drop to add them to the report.
Here, you can see all your events in the dashboard. Apply the quick filters to just see the file downloads.
Go to the filters to apply the following rule.
Simply save this filter, and you will see a complete list of file downloads within a given period.
Conclusion
In summary, Google Analytics 4 can help you effectively understand new leads on your site. These can be your potential customers. We hope this blog helps you understand how to track PDF downloads in Google Analytics 4.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How to view PDF downloads in Google Analytics 4?
Follow the steps ahead to see PDF downloads in Google Analytics 4.
1. Log into your Google Analytics account.
2. Select the website for which you want to see the PDF downloads.
3. Navigate to Behavior > Site Content > All Pages.
4. You’ll see download data in your events report if you’ve enabled download tracking as events.
5. Go into your events reports and navigate to Behavior > Events, located in the left panel.
6. Here, you’ll see four different options: Overview, Top Events, Pages, and Events Flow.
7. Open “Top Events” and click “Downloads” to access a detailed report.
Q. Can you track PDF downloads?
Yes, it is possible to track PDF downloads. You can use Google Analytics 4, Google Tag Manager or Google Ads to track PDF downloads. However, you can not track PDF opens or views.
Q. How do you track PDF clicks in GA4?
Below, we’ve mentioned certain simple steps to track PDF clicks in Google Analytics 4.
1. Open Admin > Property >Data Streams.
2. Tap on the data stream for your site.
3. Now, click on the toggle located next to File Downloads under Enhanced Measurement to start tracking your PDF clicks.
Q. Can the Google Analytics track app download?
Yes, Google Analytics 4 can help you understand how users identify and install apps. It can help you determine the source and medium of installations, enabling you to gain insights into the effectiveness of your marketing efforts.
Q. Can Google Analytics track clicks?
Yes, Google Analytics can track clicks with the help of built-in event tracking for document links and outbound links. To track other clicks, you must do additional configurations.
Q. What can not be tracked in Google Analytics?
Google Analytics 4 is designed to provide data about your own site or application. You can gain insights about your competitors. Hence, Google Analytics can not be used to track competitive data.