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
- Open GA4 and navigate to Explore section
- Click the Blank template to start a new exploration
- Under the Dimensions click the + button and search for Platform and Device category, check the checkbox beside them and click Confirm
- Under the Metrics click the + button and search for Total users, New users, and Active users, check the checkboxes and click Confirm
- Drag Platform to the Rows section of your report
- Drag Total users, New users, and Active users to the Values section
- Add Device category as a secondary dimension by dragging it below Platform in the Rows section
- Set your desired date range in the report settings
- 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
- Identify underperforming platforms and investigate potential technical issues or user experience problems
- Allocate development resources based on platform usage patterns
- Optimize content and design for the most commonly used platforms
- Track platform-specific conversion rates to identify opportunities for improvement
- Use platform data to inform advertising campaign targeting and budget allocation
Answers Similar Questions
- How to see mobile vs desktop users in GA4
- Track device categories in Google Analytics 4
- GA4 platform distribution report
- Compare iOS and Android users in GA4
- Google Analytics 4 device usage analysis
