What is user_pseudo_id in GA4 BigQuery Export?

When you send GA4 data to BigQuery then you will see two user id columns in the table that's created for GA4 data.

These two columns are

user_pseudo_id and user_id

What is user_pseudo_id?

user_pseudo_id is a value that's created by the data stream or the app data stream to identify a user uniquely on that particular client.

Let's take an example to clarify this:

  1. User A visits the site on a desktop.
  2. GA4 assigns a client id (also called device id or client id) and drops a cookie. This cookie is tied to this client id. Let's say the user_pseudo_id assigned to that user is ABC123
  3. The next time user visits the site on the desktop, GA4 sees the cookie and knows that it is the same user. The user_pseudo_id is ABC123.
  4. Every time user visits the site on the desktop, as long as the cookies is not deleted, GA4 knows that it is the same user with user_pseudo_id AB123.
  5. Now the same user visits the site on his/her Phone via Mobile App or site. GA4 does not know who this user is. So it assigns a new user_pseudo_id (Firebase Instance ID) to this user, let's say it is XYZ987.
  6. So even though it is the same person, GA4 does not know that and counts the same person as two users and assigns two different user_pseudo_id.

So to recap:

For Web Data Stream, user_pseudo_id is GA Client ID.

For App Data Stream, user_pseudo_id is Firebase Instance ID

What is a User ID?

User ID is a unique identifier that you send to GA4 to uniquely identified a user, who logs into your site or app.

So let's take the example above and extend it.

  1. User A visits the site on a desktop and logs in.
  2. GA4 assigns a client id (also called device id or client id) and drops a cookie. This cookie is tied to this client id. Let's say the user_pseudo_id assigned to that user is ABC123. However, you also send a User-id to GA4. Let's the value you send is AUTH123.
  3. The next time user visits the site on the desktop, GA4 sees the cookie and knows that it is the same user. The user_pseudo_id is ABC123. It also knows the User-id is AUTH123.
  4. Every time user visits the site on the desktop, as long as the cookies is not deleted, GA4 knows that it is the same user with user_pseudo_id AB123.
  5. Now the same user visits the site on his/her Phone via Mobile App or site and logs in. GA4 assigns a new user_pseudo_id (Firebase Instance ID) to this user, let's say it is XYZ987. However, the user-id you send is still AUTH123
  6. So even though it is the same person, GA4 assigns two different user_pseudo_id but also has only one value for user_id.

Reporting Identify in GA4

You can now use the user-id to track the user by picking the reporting identity in the GA4 setup.  If you use user-ID then GA4 will consider this user as one on both devices. However, if you don't pick that option then GA4 will consider the use to be two different users. See more at https://www.optizent.com/blog/ga4-user-id-for-cross-device-and-platform-tracking-across-sessions/

 

 

GA4 Data in BigQuery

In BigQuery you will see both the fields and the data. You can decide which one to use for your queries based on your requirements.

 

Google Analytics 4 help and support

We are here to help you with all your Google Analytics needs. Our team can get you up and running in no time and also train you and your team to save you a lot of time so that you can focus on driving the business outcomes rather than configuring Google Analytics 4.

Online Courses:

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Workshop - We conduct the onsite customized workshop. Reach out to us for more details.

Consulting Services - We can help you up and running with GA4 and BigQuery. Email us at support@optizent.com

 

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