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2 Minute Read | April 1, 2024

Your Universal Analytics (GA3) Data Is Disappearing July 1, 2024

Save Your Data with Our Simple GA3 Backup Solution

Google has announced that users will no longer have access to Universal Analytics (or GA3) data starting the week of July 1, 2024. It’s important to know that not even read-only access will be available – your data will be deleted from Google’s servers. (And no, even though this blog post was published on April 1, this isn’t an April Fools’ prank! Read Google’s announcement here.)

Losing access to your historical GA3 data is concerning, especially for businesses that rely on trending, year-over-year comparisons, before-and-after website redesign comparisons, and to perform other critical analytics.

So, it’s important that organizations take steps to export and archive their UA data for future reference. And, unfortunately, as is sometimes the case with Google, doing so isn’t as simple as pressing a button. Sigh.

How to Backup Your GA3 Data

While Google does provide instructions for how to archive your UA data using Google Sheets and several other do-it-yourself methods, you can’t simply download the data and be done in a matter of a few hours. It’s more complicated and could take a team member an entire week or longer to navigate through all the filters and functionality in order to download it correctly and in a usable way.

That’s where we come in!

Northwoods can download your GA3 data for you, giving you access to it through BigQuery where you can easily analyze and compare it to your GA4 data anytime. We’ll also provide you with comprehensive Google Looker Studio reports based on the data parameters and data view you choose. Here’s a look at a few of these user-friendly backup reports:

A screenshot of a Google Looker Studio report featuring historical Universal Analytics data.

A screenshot of a Google Looker Studio report featuring historical Universal Analytics data.

Northwoods' GA3 Data Backup Package Makes Saving Your Data Easy

Our GA3 Data Backup package starts at $1,950, which includes a brief consultation to learn more about your data, backup of one view of your data in BigQuery, and one Google Looker Studio report. Most SMB organizations will fit comfortably in the $1,950 range. Costs may increase slightly for companies with large volumes of data or extensive customized user interactions tracking. Our team will provide you with an estimate before beginning any work, so you know exactly what to expect.

To request a GA3 Data Backup or to learn more, please visit our GA3 Backup Solution page or reach out to your Business Development representative if you’re already a client.

Whether you choose to have Northwoods backup your data or not, it’s critical to ensure it’s downloaded in a usable way before July 1, 2024. So don’t hesitate! Get started today. We’re happy to help.

Authored By

Fred Pike

Fred Pike

Managing Director & GA/GTM Practice Lead

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<p style="margin-bottom:11px; margin-top:5px">Google has announced that users will no longer have access to Universal Analytics (or GA3) data starting the week of July 1, 2024. It&rsquo;s important to know that not even read-only access will be available &ndash; your data will be deleted from Google&rsquo;s servers. (And no, even though this blog post was published on April 1, this isn&rsquo;t an April Fools&rsquo; prank! <a href="https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/11583528?hl=en#:~:text=Starting%20on%20July%201%2C%202023,starting%20on%20July%201%2C%202024." linktype="3" target="_blank">Read Google&rsquo;s announcement here</a>.)</p> <p>Losing access to your historical GA3 data is concerning, especially for businesses that rely on trending, year-over-year comparisons, before-and-after website redesign comparisons, and to perform other critical analytics.</p> <p>So, it&rsquo;s important that organizations take steps to export and archive their UA data for future reference. And, unfortunately, as is sometimes the case with Google, doing so isn&rsquo;t as simple as pressing a button. <em>Sigh.</em></p> <h2>How to Backup Your GA3 Data</h2> <p>While Google does provide <a href="https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/11583528?hl=en#zippy=%2Chow-can-i-export-data-from-my-universal-analytics-property" linktype="3" target="_blank">instructions for how to archive your UA data</a> using Google Sheets and several other do-it-yourself methods, you can&rsquo;t simply download the data and be done in a matter of a few hours. It&rsquo;s more complicated and could take a team member an entire week or longer to navigate through all the filters and functionality in order to download it correctly and in a usable way.</p> <p>That&rsquo;s where we come in!</p> <p>Northwoods can download your GA3 data for you, giving you access to it through <a href="https://www.nwsdigital.com/Blog/Why-You-Should-Use-BigQuery-with-GA4" linktype="3" target="_self">BigQuery</a> where you can easily analyze and compare it to your GA4 data anytime. We&rsquo;ll also provide you with comprehensive Google Looker Studio reports based on the data parameters and data view you choose. Here&rsquo;s a look at a few of these user-friendly backup reports:</p> <p><img alt="A screenshot of a Google Looker Studio report featuring historical Universal Analytics data." loading="lazy" src="/Northwoods-2023/Blog/Article-Images/GLS-UA-Data-Backup-1.jpg?Large" /></p> <p><img alt="A screenshot of a Google Looker Studio report featuring historical Universal Analytics data." loading="lazy" src="/Northwoods-2023/Blog/Article-Images/GLS-UA-Data-Backup-2.jpg?Large" /></p> <h2 style="margin-bottom:11px; margin-top:5px">Northwoods&#39; GA3 Data Backup Package Makes Saving Your Data Easy</h2> <p style="margin-bottom:11px; margin-top:5px">Our GA3 Data Backup package starts at $1,950, which includes a brief consultation to learn more about your data, backup of one view of your data in BigQuery, and one Google Looker Studio report.&nbsp;Most SMB organizations will fit comfortably in the $1,950 range. Costs may increase slightly for companies with large volumes of data or extensive customized user interactions tracking. Our team will provide you with an estimate before beginning any work, so you know exactly what to expect.</p> <p>To request a GA3 Data Backup or to learn more, please visit our <a href="/GA3Backup" linktype="2" target="_self">GA3 Backup Solution page</a>&nbsp;or reach out to your Business Development representative if you&rsquo;re already a client.</p> <p><em>Whether you choose to have Northwoods backup your data or not, it&rsquo;s critical to ensure it&rsquo;s downloaded in a usable way before July 1, 2024. So don&rsquo;t hesitate! Get started today. We&rsquo;re happy to help.</em></p>
/Northwoods-2020/Hero-Images/Hiker-Looking-Out-Over-Mountains.pngIt’s important that organizations take steps to export and archive their UA data for future reference. Unfortunately, as is sometimes the case with #Google, doing so isn’t as simple as pressing a button. https://nwsdigital.me/3U5fXHH @northwoods #googleanalytics #ga3Fred Pike/Northwoods-2020/People/Fred-Pike.jpgThe author standing in front of a log cabinhttps://ctt.ac/fQ097<script charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript" src="//js.hsforms.net/forms/embed/v2.js"></script><script>hbspt.forms.create({ region: "na1", portalId: "23630176", formId: "40c5bbae-05a2-42ea-94dd-1662181fd56e" });</script>/Northwoods-2023/Blog/Social-Cards/Your-GA3-Data-Is-Going-Away---Social-Card.jpg?LargeYour Universal Analytics (GA3) Data Is Disappearing July 1, 20242024-04-01T00:00:00/Northwoods-2023/Blog/Social-Cards/Your-GA3-Data-Is-Going-Away---Social-Card.jpgGoogle has announced that users will no longer have access to Universal Analytics (or GA3) data starting the week of July 1, 2024. Here's what you need to know and how to back up your data.3620311/People/Fred-PikeFredPikeManaging Director & GA/GTM Practice Lead<p>Fred Pike is Northwoods&#39; resident analytics guru and a world-renowned expert in Google Analytics and Google Tag Manager. A sought-after speaker and educator, he has led courses at industry-leading conferences, events, and organizations including Conversion XL, MeasureSummit, and SuperWeek. Fred is passionate about finding the best ways to drive website traffic and understanding user interactions. He is also an accomplished pit musician and proud owner of beloved Pekingese Xuxa, one of Northwoods&rsquo; most frequent furry visitors.</p>Fred Pike/Northwoods-2020/People/Fred-Pike.jpgFred PikeAdd-In Type - NWS Data ModulesCategory - NWS Data ModulesCommittee - NWS Data ModulesDivision - NWS Data ModulesEvent Audience - NWS Data ModulesEvent Service - NWS Data ModulesEvent Type - NWS Data ModulesLocality - NWS Data ModulesModule - NWS Data ModulesPackage Type - NWS Data ModulesPersonID - NWS Data ModulesFred PikeProductVersion - NWS Data ModulesRecorded Webinar TopicsRegion - NWS Data ModulesSite Display - NWS Data ModulesSkillLevel - NWS Data ModulesTopic - NWS Data ModulesVideoAudience - NWS Data ModulesVideoClassification - NWS Data ModulesVideoStatus - NWS Data ModulesTeamAll StaffLeadershipAdd-In Type - NWS Data ModulesCategory - NWS Data ModulesCommittee - NWS Data ModulesDivision - NWS Data ModulesEvent Audience - NWS Data ModulesEvent Service - NWS Data ModulesEvent Type - NWS Data ModulesLocality - NWS Data ModulesModule - NWS Data ModulesPackage Type - NWS Data ModulesPersonID - NWS Data ModulesFred PikeProductVersion - NWS Data ModulesRecorded Webinar TopicsRegion - NWS Data ModulesSite Display - NWS Data ModulesNWS DigitalSkillLevel - NWS Data ModulesTopic - NWS Data ModulesData & AnalyticsDigital AdvertisingDigital MarketingVideoAudience - NWS Data ModulesVideoClassification - NWS Data ModulesVideoStatus - NWS Data Modules02024-05-10T09:21:25.65000