What does GA4’s “Event-based model” focus on compared to previous versions?

GA4’s focus on an "event-based model" is a significant departure from previous versions of Google Analytics, which primarily emphasized session-based tracking and pageviews. This model allows for a more comprehensive understanding of user engagement by recognizing all interactions as distinct events. As a result, every action a user takes on a site, such as clicks, video plays, and form submissions, can be tracked as an event.

This approach enables businesses to gain deeper insights into individual user behaviors beyond merely counting pageviews or session duration. By focusing on user interactions across the entire digital ecosystem, GA4 provides a more holistic view of user engagement. This method empowers analysts to measure the effectiveness of their marketing strategies and understand how users interact with their content more thoroughly.

In contrast, other options like pageviews only, goal completions, or session duration narrow the perspective to specific metrics, which can limit the analysis of user journeys. The event-based model thus represents a more robust framework for capturing the complexity of user interactions in today's multifaceted digital landscape.