Model Comparison Report Explained in Google Analytics Attribution

What is Model Comparison Report in Attribution BETA?

The model comparison report (or attribution model comparison report) is used to compare different attribution models to each other. This comparison is carried out to determine how a marketing channel can be valued from a different perspective.

An attribution model is a set of rules or algorithm which is used to determine how credit for conversion should be attributed to various touchpoints in a conversion path.

Note: The model comparison report is similar to the Model Comparison Tool report in GA multi-channel funnels.

Base model vs Potential model

The attribution model that you select as a starting point for comparison in the Model Comparison report is called the reference attribution model (or base model).

Whereas, the attribution model that you select for comparing with the reference attribution model in the Model Comparison report is called the comparison attribution model (or potential model).

Model Comparison Report
Get weekly practical tips on GA4 and/or BigQuery to accurately track and read your analytics data.

 

How to use the Model Comparison Report?

In order to use the Model Comparison report follow the steps below:

Step-1: Navigate to https://analytics.google.com/analytics/attribution/ 

Step-2: Click on the ‘Model Comparison’ link on the left-hand side:

Model Comparison report

Step-3: Select your date range from the date picker drop-down menu at the top of the report:

Select your date range from the date picker

When reporting on conversion time, use a date range that ends at least three days ago:

use a date range that ends at least 3 days ago

When reporting on Interaction time, use a date range that ends at least two weeks ago:

use a date range that ends at least 2 weeks ago

Step-4: Select your reference model from the first drop-down menu:

Select your reference model

Step-5: Select your comparison model from the second drop-down menu:

Select your comparison model

After selecting your reference and comparison attribution models, your model comparison report would look something like the one below:

After selecting your reference and comparison attribution models

Step-6: By default, the Model Comparison report shows data for all conversion types. In order to see the Model Comparison report for a particular conversion type, select the conversion type from the drop-down menu:

select the conversion type from the drop down menu 1
Attribution Modelling in Google Analytics and Beyond
Attribution Modelling in Google Ads and Facebook

Get my best selling books on Attribution Modelling

  • Learn to implement attribution modelling in your organisation
  • Understand the customer purchase journey across devices
  • Determine the most effective marketing channels for investment

 Click book covers to find out more

How to change the settings of the model comparison report?

You can change the settings of your model comparison report by clicking on the ‘Edit report’ button on the top right-hand side:

edit Model Comparison report

Once you clicked on the ‘Edit report’ button, you would see the ‘Report Settings’ panel:

Report Settings panel 3

Through the report settings panel you can:

  1. Change the primary dimension of the Model Comparison report. The default dimension is ‘Analytics default channel grouping’.
  2. Add a secondary dimension to the Model Comparison report. 
  3. Change ‘% selection’ setting to ‘Attributed Conversions’ or ‘Attributed Revenue’:
  4. Change the reporting to ‘Conversion time’ or ‘Interaction time’.
  5. Show or hide empty rows (rows that do not have a value for one or both of your chosen dimensions). 

Following is an example of a data table without empty rows:

example of a data table without empty rows

Following is an example of a data table with one empty row:

example of a data table with one empty row

Primary and secondary dimensions of the Model Comparison report

Through the report settings panel, you can change the primary dimension of the Model Comparison report. 

The default primary dimension is ‘Analytics default channel grouping’. Click on the dimension name to change it: 

Analytics default channel grouping

The Model Comparison report provides several dimensions that can be used as primary or secondary dimensions. 

All these dimensions are classified into the following three categories:

  • General
  • Analytics
  • Google Ads
Model Comparison report provides several dimensions

Through the report settings panel, you can add a secondary dimension to the Model Comparison report. To add a secondary dimension, click on the ‘Add’ button:

add a secondary dimension to the Model Comparison report
  1. How to valuate Display Advertising through Attribution Modelling
  2. Understanding Shopping Carts for Analytics and Conversion Optimization
  3. 6 Keys to Digital Success in Attribution Modelling
  4. Google Analytics Attribution Modeling Tutorial
  5. How to Measure and Improve the Quality of SEO Traffic through Google Analytics
  6. How to explain attribution modelling to your clients
  7. Default and Custom Attribution Models in Google Analytics
  8. Understanding Missing Touchpoints in Attribution Modelling
  9. What You Should Know about Historical Data in Web Analytics
  10. Model Comparison Report Explained in Google Analytics Attribution
  11. Data-Driven Attribution Model in Google Analytics – Tutorial
  12. Conversion Lag Report Explained in Google Analytics Attribution
  13. Selecting the Best Attribution Model for Inbound Marketing
  14. How to do ROI Analysis in Google Analytics
  15. Conversion Credit Models Guide – Google Analytics Attribution
  16. Introduction to Nonline Analytics – True Multi Channel Analytics
  17. Conversion Types Explained in Google Analytics Attribution
  18. Attribution Channels Explained in Google Analytics Attribution
  19. Differences Between Google Attribution & Multi-Channel Funnel Reports
  20. Introduction to TV Attribution in Google Analytics Attribution 360
  21. Conversion Credit Distribution for Attribution Models in Google Analytics
  22. Conversion Paths Report Explained in Google Analytics Attribution
  23. Attribution Model Comparison Tool in Google Analytics
  24. Touchpoint Analysis in Google Analytics Attribution Modelling
  25. Attributed Conversions & Attributed Revenue Explained in Google Attribution
  26. Which Attribution Model to use in Google Analytics?
  27. Google Attribution Access and User Permissions – Tutorial
  28. Conversion Path Length Report Explained in Google Analytics Attribution
  29. How to set up a data-driven attribution model in Google Analytics
  30. View-Through Conversion Tracking in Google Analytics
  31. Offline Conversion Tracking in Google Analytics – Tutorial
  32. How to Create Custom Attribution Model in Google Analytics
  33. 8 Google Analytics Conversions Segments You Must Use
  34. You are doing Google Analytics all wrong. Here is why
  35. How to Use ZMOT to Increase Conversions and Sales Exponentially
  36. Connected Properties Explained in Google Analytics Attribution
  37. Marketing Mix Modelling or Attribution Modelling. Which one is for you?
  38. How is attribution modelling helpful for ecommerce and non-ecommerce websites?
  39. Conversion Time & Interaction Time Explained in Google Analytics Attribution
  40. How to Allocate Budgets in Multi Channel Marketing
  41. How Does Attribution Work?
  42. Data-Driven Attribution Model Explorer in Google Analytics
  43. Introduction to Attribution Beta – Attribution Project in Google Analytics

My best selling books on Digital Analytics and Conversion Optimization

Maths and Stats for Web Analytics and Conversion Optimization
This expert guide will teach you how to leverage the knowledge of maths and statistics in order to accurately interpret data and take actions, which can quickly improve the bottom-line of your online business.

Master the Essentials of Email Marketing Analytics
This book focuses solely on the ‘analytics’ that power your email marketing optimization program and will help you dramatically reduce your cost per acquisition and increase marketing ROI by tracking the performance of the various KPIs and metrics used for email marketing.

Attribution Modelling in Google Analytics and BeyondSECOND EDITION OUT NOW!
Attribution modelling is the process of determining the most effective marketing channels for investment. This book has been written to help you implement attribution modelling. It will teach you how to leverage the knowledge of attribution modelling in order to allocate marketing budget and understand buying behaviour.

Attribution Modelling in Google Ads and Facebook
This book has been written to help you implement attribution modelling in Google Ads (Google AdWords) and Facebook. It will teach you, how to leverage the knowledge of attribution modelling in order to understand the customer purchasing journey and determine the most effective marketing channels for investment.

About the Author

Himanshu Sharma

  • Founder, OptimizeSmart.com
  • Over 15 years of experience in digital analytics and marketing
  • Author of four best-selling books on digital analytics and conversion optimization
  • Nominated for Digital Analytics Association Awards for Excellence
  • Runs one of the most popular blogs in the world on digital analytics
  • Consultant to countless small and big businesses over the decade