How To View Users By Platform

Understanding User Platform Distribution in Google Analytics 4

Analyzing users by platform is crucial for optimizing your digital presence and ensuring a seamless user experience across all devices. This insight helps allocate development resources, prioritize platform-specific improvements, and make informed decisions about responsive design. We'll show you how to create this essential report in Google Analytics 4.

Basic Report Structure

  • Report Type: Free Form Exploration
  • Primary Dimension: Platform/Device Category
  • Visualization: Table format with optional bar chart
  • Time Comparison: Enable period comparison for trend analysis
  • Segmentation: Users by platform type

Steps to Create the Report

  1. Open GA4 and navigate to Explore section
  2. Click the Blank template to start a new exploration
  3. Under the Dimensions click the + button and search for Platform and Device category, check the checkbox beside them and click Confirm
  4. Under the Metrics click the + button and search for Total users, New users, and Active users, check the checkboxes and click Confirm
  5. Drag Platform to the Rows section of your report
  6. Drag Total users, New users, and Active users to the Values section
  7. Add Device category as a secondary dimension by dragging it below Platform in the Rows section
  8. Set your desired date range in the report settings
  9. Optional: Add a comparison date range to analyze trends

Important Dimensions and Metrics

  • Platform: Shows the operating system (iOS, Android, Windows, etc.)
  • Device category: Indicates whether users are on mobile, desktop, or tablet
  • Total users: The total number of users who accessed your site
  • New users: First-time visitors to your site
  • Active users: Users who have had an active session in the selected time period

Actionable Insights

  1. Identify underperforming platforms and investigate potential technical issues or user experience problems
  2. Allocate development resources based on platform usage patterns
  3. Optimize content and design for the most commonly used platforms
  4. Track platform-specific conversion rates to identify opportunities for improvement
  5. Use platform data to inform advertising campaign targeting and budget allocation

Answers Similar Questions

  1. How to see mobile vs desktop users in GA4
  2. Track device categories in Google Analytics 4
  3. GA4 platform distribution report
  4. Compare iOS and Android users in GA4
  5. Google Analytics 4 device usage analysis

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