How To Setup A Site Search Report In GA4 [An Easy 7-Step Guide]

GA4 (Google Analytics 4) site search tracking can show you search terms that visitors type in your site’s search box. That’s why a site search report in GA4 will help you know your visitor’s needs and improve your site accordingly.

In this tutorial, we will detail a step-by-step guide on how to set up a site search report in GA4.

So, let’s get started!

How to Setup a Site Search Report in GA4? [Step-By-Step Guidelines]

Step#1: Sign in to your GA4 Account:

First of all, you have to sign in to your GA4 Account with your email address and password.

If you don’t have a GA4 account, simply click on the “Create account” button. Then provide some information and fill up all the necessary options such as Account creation, Property creation, Business details, Business objectives, Data collection, and some pop-up features.

After filling up all the options properly, press the “Save” option to proceed.

Then choose your preferred platform. Here, we are continuing with “Web” as an example for this tutorial purpose.

Step#2: Set up data stream

In this stage, you need to place your website’s URL and type your Stream name. Hence, we’re using a demo website for this tutorial purpose.

Also, make sure the “Enhanced measurement” option is turned on. Then click on the “Create stream” blue button.

Step#3 Copy the Google tag code and paste it into your website’s HTML section for tracking the data.

After creating the data stream, you will see the web stream details including Stream Name, Stream URL, Stream ID, and Measurement ID.

At the top of your stream details, you will see a yellow button named “View tag instructions” and click on this button.

You’ll get a new pop-up window named “Installation instructions”. Click on the “Install manually” option.

Now, you’ll see the Google tag (gtag.js) for this account. You need to copy and paste the code into each page of your website.

Note: The global site tag (gtag.js) is one method to set up and track your website’s data in GA4. You can also set up via Google Tag Manager.

Now, it’s time to check yourself in the real-time GA4. If you see yourself as an active user, it means that you have successfully installed the code into your website’s HTML section.

Step#4: Understanding the Key term.

Before going further it’s important to understand the key term – “Search Term Query Parameter” [the term can be symbolized as q, s, search, query, keyword.

For example: in the demo website, we have typed a keyword “ WordPress” in the search box and clicked on the “Go” button.

After loading the web page, we’ve got the URL that contains “s” and it’s one of the common “Search Term Query Parameter.” See the below images:

Step#5: Add and save the Search Term Query Parameter.

In this stage, you have to come back to your data streams section. Click on the right arrow button.

Then press on the gear icon named “Configure enhanced measurement”

After getting a pop-up window, click on the “Show advanced settings” and add your Search Term Query Parameter in the box. As we’ve mentioned earlier, we have added “s” as our Search Term Query Parameter for this tutorial purpose. Then click on the above “Save” button.

Step#6: Make/Setup A Site Search Report In GA4

At this stage, you can create or build/setup a site search report using the library or exploration section in GA4. In this tutorial, we will make a custom Site Search Report in GA4 using the library section.

So, keep reading till the end.

Now, go to the Library section and click on the “Create new report” blue button. Then select the “Create detail report” from the above list.

After that, you will enter a new interface named as “Create new.” Hence, you will also see the below pre-defined report templates.

To satisfy your complete business needs, creating a custom report is a good option. To make this report, click on Blank + icon. See the below image

Now, you will see an untitled report interface in which we have to select any dimensions and metrics based on our business needs.

In the primary dimensions, you can type the search term and select it from the drop-down menu. Then, click on the “Apply” button.

Here, you will see that the “search term” dimension has been added automatically in the below column. Next, add some metrics. Type “event count” in the metrics box and select it from the drop-down menu.

In the same way, type another word “users” in the metrics box and choose it from the drop-down menu. Now, click on the below “Apply” button.

Here is the full site search report in GA4 based on your selected dimensions and metrics.

If you don’t like the charts, you can quickly change them from the right-hand side charts section. Just individually click on the chart’s right-arrow icon and choose your desired chart.

Next, create a summary card to highlight the key points in your detailed site search report. To do this, click on the “+ Create new card” icon. See the below images:

Then you will get a new pop-up named “Customise Card.” Hence, add your preferred dimensions and metrics from the drop-down menu one by one.

Next, choose your preferred visualization mode and click on the “Apply” button.

Now, you will see that your summary card is added as “Event count by Search term”

Step#7: Save your final site search report.

In the last step, click on the save button and type your desired words in the report name box. You can write something in your report description box (it’s mandatory). Then click on the “Save” button.

Finally, your site search report GA4 has been stored in the library dashboard. You can easily edit, rename, or make a copy of your detailed report by clicking on the three-dot icons. That’s it! Done!

Final Note About Creating A Site Search Report In GA4:

We hope you’ve enjoyed reading the above tutorial and also learned how to create a site search report in GA4. I

f you have any questions on GA4, please comment below. Thanks for reading!