Guide to connect Google Analytics 4 to Looker Studio

Looker Studio is a powerful free tool for building interactive dashboards and visualizing your analytics data. If you want to analyze your Google Analytics 4 (GA4) data directly in Looker Studio, you can easily do so using Google’s built-in connector or a partner connector like Catchr. These options let you turn your web and app data into visual, shareable insights, without exporting files or writing SQL queries.

Before diving into the steps, you can also watch our short video tutorial below to see exactly how to connect your GA4 property to Looker Studio in just a few minutes.

Why connect your Google Analytics 4 data to Looker Studio?

Connecting GA4 to Looker Studio gives you a clear view of how users interact with your website or app. Instead of relying solely on the GA4 interface, you can create fully customized reports that highlight the metrics that matter most to you.

With Looker Studio, you can:

• Combine GA4 with other sources like Google Ads, Meta Ads, or your CRM for a unified marketing view.
• Build dashboards that visualize acquisition, engagement, and conversion data in real time.
• Share insights with your team or clients through dynamic, up-to-date dashboards.
• Automate your reporting and save time compared to manual exports or spreadsheet analysis.

In short, integrating GA4 with Looker Studio helps you turn data into decisions faster and more effectively.

Method 1: Using the native Google Analytics 4 connector

The native GA4 connector is the simplest and completely free way to connect your Google Analytics 4 property to Looker Studio.

How it works

This connector, provided directly by Google, retrieves your data in real time through the official GA4 API. You can explore metrics like users, sessions, engagement rate, bounce rate, and conversions, and even your custom events and custom dimensions if they’re defined in your GA4 property.

However, the native connector still has a few limitations:

• Sampling can occur on large datasets or long date ranges.
• It’s limited to one GA4 property per data source.
• There’s no historical data storage outside Google Analytics itself.

💡 If you need to analyze multiple GA4 properties, blend data across different streams, or avoid sampling entirely, a GA4 third-party connector like Catchr can help unify and automate your reports.

Steps

1. Create a new data source on Looker Studio
   • Go to the Looker Studio homepage.
   • Click on Create → Data source.

2. Search for Google Analytics
   • In the search bar, type Google Analytics.
   • From the list, select the native connctor.

3. Authorize your Google Analytics accounts in Looker Studio
   • Click Authorize to link your Google Analytics account with Looker Studio.

4. Choose a GA4 property
   • Select your account and a GA4 property to include in your report.

5. Click Create report
   • Click Create Report to finish the setup.
   • Your Google Analytics 4 data, including sessions, users, engagement rate, and conversions, will automatically load into Looker Studio and refresh daily.

Method 2: Using the Catchr connector

If you want to go beyond the limitations of the native connector, for example, managing multiple GA4 properties or combining data from web and app streams, Catchr is the ideal solution.

How it works

Catchr connects directly to the Google Analytics 4 API, allowing you to pull data from multiple properties and streams at once. It supports custom events, custom dimensions, UTM parameters, and eCommerce tracking, and lets you merge GA4 data with your other marketing sources such as Google Ads, Meta Ads, or LinkedIn Ads.

Steps

1. Create a new data source on Looker Studio
   • Go to the Looker Studio homepage.
   • Click on Create → Data source.

2. Search for Google Analytics 4
   • In the search bar, type Google Analytics.
   • From the list, select a certified connector such as Catchr.

3. Authorize your Catchr and Google Analytics accounts in Looker Studio
   • Click Authorize to link your Catchr account with Looker Studio.
   • Then, authorize again to sign in to Google Analytics and allow access to your accounts.

4. Choose your account(s)
   • Select one or multiple accounts to include in your report.
   • (Optional) Start from a prebuilt Looker Studio template to save time.

5. Click Create report
   • Click Create Report to finish the setup.
   • Your GA4 data, including sessions, engagement rate, events, conversions, etc. will automatically load into Looker Studio and refresh daily.

💡 Why use Catchr instead of the native connector?

• Connect multiple GA4 properties or streams in a single source.
• Access all standard and custom dimensions without sampling.
• Blend GA4 data with other marketing sources automatically.
• Enjoy daily auto-refresh and shared access for your team.

Using Catchr helps you centralize all your analytics data in one scalable, automated dashboard.

Common Use Cases

Connecting GA4 to Looker Studio allows you to track user behavior, measure engagement, and monitor conversions more effectively. Here are a few practical examples:

Freelancers build client dashboards highlighting traffic sources, engagement, and conversions.

Agencies create white-labeled dashboards that merge GA4 with Google Ads or Meta Ads to show complete performance insights.

Marketing teams monitor acquisition channels, event tracking, and conversion funnels across devices and campaigns.

To help you get started faster, Catchr offers ready-to-use Looker Studio templates for GA4:

• Google Analytics 4 main dashboard template
• Google Analytics 4 funnel dashboard template

Google Analytics 4 (GA4) main dashboard template

Analyze traffic and performance trends with the Google Analytics 4 main dashboard template, designed to visualize your sessions, engagement rate, and top traffic sources.

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Google Analytics 4 (GA4) funnel dashboard template

Visualize your user journey from first visit to conversion and identify where users drop off using the Google Analytics 4 funnel dashboard.

Which method to use to connect GA4 to Looker Studio?

If you only need to track one GA4 property, the native connector is free and efficient. But for agencies, large websites, or advanced data needs, Catchr is the smarter, scalable solution.

FAQ: Google Analytics 4 and Looker Studio

Can I connect multiple GA4 properties?

‍Yes. You can connect multiple GA4 properties with a partner connector like Catchr. The native Google connector only allows one property per data source.

Are GA4 data updates automatic in Looker Studio?

‍Yes. Both the native connector and Catchr automatically refresh your data daily.

Can I combine GA4 data with Google Ads or Meta Ads?

‍Absolutely. You can blend GA4 with your ad platforms to get a complete overview of acquisition, engagement, and conversion performance.

Can I access custom dimensions and events from GA4?

‍Yes. The native connector now supports custom dimensions and events defined in your GA4 property. Catchr also supports them and allows you to use them across multiple properties without limitation. You can find the full list of Google Analytics 4 available fields on Catchr's documentation.

Is the GA4 connector free?

‍Yes. The native Google connector is free. Catchr offers advanced features, automation, and multi-account management with a free trial.

Google Analytics 4 and Looker Studio

Connecting Google Analytics 4 to Looker Studio helps you visualize your analytics data, monitor user behavior, and make better decisions based on real-time insights.
Whether you use the free native connector or Catchr for advanced, multi-source tracking, Looker Studio transforms your GA4 data into actionable reports.

Once connected, you can focus on optimizing user experience and improving conversions instead of manually exporting reports.