Recommended events are the events recommended by Google. They do not automatically get triggered and logged unless you manually implement them.
However, for a recommended event to work correctly, you must use the exact same event name and parameter(s) as supplied by Google.
Failing to do so, Google will not recognize your event as one of their recommended events and your event may either do not work the way you want or do not get triggered at all.
Google recommends events based on business verticals.
For example, Google has recommended a certain set of events and parameters for the following business verticals:
Google recommends the following events for travel/hotel related properties, app or web:
add_to_wishlist
This event is triggered when a user adds items to a wishlist. Through this event, you can identify popular gift items.
You can supply additional information with this event by using the following parameters: currency, items and value.
generate_lead
This event is triggered when a user submits a form.
You can supply additional information with this event by using the following parameters: value and currency.
view_promotion
This event is triggered when a user sees a promotion from a list.
You can supply additional information with this event by using the following parameters: items, promotion_id, promotion_name, creative_name, creative_slot and location_id.
Google recommends the following events for all properties (all business verticals, app or web):
sign_up
This event is triggered when a user has signed up for an account.
A user can sign up via a Google account, email address etc. Through the ‘sign_up’ event you can determine which methods of sign-ups are the most popular. You can also use this event to understand the behavior of logged-in and logged-out users.
You can supply additional information with this event by using the following parameter: ‘method‘.
login
This event is triggered when a user logs in.
A user can log in via Google account, email address etc. Through the ‘login’ event you can determine which methods of logins are the most popular.
You can supply additional information with this event by using the following parameter: ‘method‘.
search
This event is triggered when a user searches for content on your website/app. You can use this event to identify the most popular content on your website/app.
You are required to use the following parameter with this event: ‘search_term‘.
For a complete list of recommended events for all properties (all business verticals, app or web) and the supported parameters, check out the official help documentation: https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/9267735
Google recommends events based on the business vertical for all types of data streams.
If your business fall in the category of retail, ecommerce, jobs, education, real estate, travel, and games then you get lots of benefits from implementing Google recommended events along with suggested parameters. This is beneficial to your business as these facilities have easy integration and the latest Analytics features giving you more precise and detailed business insights.
Frequently Asked Questions About Recommended events in Google Analytics 4 (GA4)
What are recommended events in Google Analytics 4?
The ‘recommended events’ are one of the four categories of events in Google Analytics 4(GA4). The other three categories are: • Automatically Collected Events • Enhanced Measurement Events • Custom Events Recommended events are the events recommended by Google. They do not automatically get triggered and logged unless you manually implement them.
What are recommended events for the Retail/eCommerce industry in Google Analytics 4?
The following events are recommended for retail and ecommerce apps and websites. • add_payment_info when a user submits their payment information • add_shipping_info when a user submits their shipping information • add_to_cart when a user adds items to the cart • add_to_wishlist when a user adds items to a wishlist • begin_checkout when a user begins the checkout • purchase when a user completes a purchase • refund when a refund is issued • remove_from_cart when a user removes items from a cart • select_item when a user selects an item from a list • select_promotion when a user selects a promotion • view_cart when a user views their cart • view_item when a user views an item • view_item_list when a user sees a list of items/offerings • view_promotion when a promotion is shown to a user
Is it mandatory to implement recommended events in Google Analytics 4?
It is not mandatory to implement the recommended events by Google but imagine the great insights you will lose if you do no implement these events. Implementing Google-recommended events is beneficial to your business as these facilities have easy integration and the latest Analytics features giving you more precise and detailed business insights.
Other articles related to GA4 (Google Analytics 4)
"How to use Digital Analytics to generate floods of new Sales and Customers without spending years figuring everything out on your own."
Here’s what we’re going to cover in this training…
#1 Why digital analytics is the key to online business success.
#2 The number 1 reason why most marketers are not able to scale their advertising and maximize sales.
#3 Why Google and Facebook ads don’t work for most businesses & how to make them work.
#4 Why you won’t get any competitive advantage in the marketplace just by knowing Google Analytics.
#5 The number 1 reason why conversion optimization is not working for your business.
#6 How to advertise on any marketing platform for FREE with an unlimited budget.
#7 How to learn and master digital analytics and conversion optimization in record time.
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
