What are events in GA4?
In GA4, everything is an event: page views, clicks, signups, purchases. The four kinds of events, which you get automatically, and how they become key events.
In Google Analytics 4, everything that's recorded is an event: a page view, a scroll, a click on an outside link, a signup, a purchase. Some events are collected automatically, some you turn on with enhanced measurement, and some you send yourself. The important ones you mark as key events.
The four kinds
| Kind | Examples | How you get them |
|---|---|---|
| Automatically collected | session_start, first_visit, user_engagement | Always, with the Google tag |
| Enhanced measurement | page_view, scroll, click (outbound), file_download, form_submit, view_search_results | A switch in your data stream, on by default |
| Recommended | sign_up, login, purchase, generate_lead | You send them, using Google's names |
| Custom | Anything else you name | You send them, with your own names |
Use the recommended names when one fits: GA4 understands them better than custom ones.
Event parameters
Events can carry extra details called parameters, such as method for sign_up or value and currency for purchase.
Where to see them
Reports → Engagement → Events lists every event with its count. Admin → Data display → Events is where you mark key events and create new events from existing ones.
In SimpleDash
The Actions card shows downloads, outbound clicks, form submits and your signups. Signups counts the event you choose. With Pro, What brings customers and What changed use your signup and sale events.
Related
Sources
- Google: About events
Last updated
Views
Views in GA4 count every time a page is viewed, including repeat views by the same person. How they differ from users and sessions, and where to find them.
Source and medium
Source is who sent a visit (google, newsletter); medium is how (organic, referral, email). How GA4 sets them, and how to control them with UTM tags.