Google Analytics has introduced the ability to include manual ad content parameters in custom channel groupings, providing enhanced control over traffic analysis. This feature allows Editor-level users to create detailed groupings using both manual and automatic parameters, supporting precise traffic categorization through various reporting fields.
Custom Channel Groups
Custom channel groups are rule-based categories of website traffic sources. While Analytics provides a default channel group, users can create their own custom groups. These custom groups can be used as primary or secondary dimensions in reports, including Acquisition and Events reports, and are available in custom reports and explorations.
Supported Reporting Fields
Custom channel groups support the following fields for reporting:
- Campaign id
- Campaign name
- Default channel group
- Manual ad content
- Medium
- Source
- Source platform
Example Use Case
For example, a company running a summer campaign for beachwear can create a custom channel group called "Summer Swim Social Media" to monitor data from social media-focused campaigns. This group can include regional channels like "Cote d'Azur" and "Liguria," each defined by specific campaign names and sources.
Per-Property Limits
- Standard properties: 2 groups (in addition to the predefined channel group)
- 360 properties: 5 groups (in addition to the predefined channel group)
- Channels per group: 50
Users can set any custom channel group as their property's primary default channel group. This primary group can be updated at any time, and its criteria will populate values into the primary channel group dimension for future reporting.
Creating and Editing Channel Groups
To create or edit channel groups:
- Navigate to Admin > Data display > Channel Groups.
- Create a new group by copying an existing group or the default group.
- Edit existing channels, add new channels, or remove channels as needed.
- Reorder channels to change their order of priority.
- Save the group once all definitions are set.
To remove a custom channel group, select the group and click "Delete," then confirm the deletion.
This update enhances flexibility in traffic analysis and reporting within Google Analytics, allowing for more tailored and precise data insights.
