How to add Google Analytics in WordPress: step by step guide

Why tracking analytics is important

Website analytics tracking reveals crucial visitor data such as identity, age, gender, location, and content preferences. This information enables strategic planning to boost business growth and target specific user segments effectively.

What are the available options for tracking analytics

Google Analytics remains the most popular analytics tool, offering extensive tracking capabilities that integrate seamlessly with websites to monitor all user actions and statistics.

How to setup Google Analytics in WordPress

Two primary methods exist for adding Google Analytics to WordPress:

Manually paste the JavaScript tracking code into your website’s head section (ideal for custom theme development)
Use a WordPress plugin to automatically insert the required code

Both methods require generating the tracking code first.

Step 1: Visit Google Analytics and click “Get started today,” then sign in with Gmail.

Step 2: Complete the welcome screen by clicking “Start measuring.”

Step 3: Set up your account with your preferred name and settings adjustments, then click “Next.”

Step 4: Enter your website name in the property setup, select country and currency. Consider advanced options to create a Universal Analytics property if needed, as GA4 becomes mandatory post-July 1, 2023.

Step 5: Select your industry category and business size, indicate how you’ll use Google Analytics, then click “Create.” Accept terms and configure email preferences.

Step 6: Copy the generated tracking code to implement it.

Step 7: In WordPress Dashboard, navigate to Appearance > Theme File Editor, locate header.php, and paste the tracking code before the closing </head> tag. Click “Update File.”

Using a plugin

Plugins simplify code integration without manual editing. A popular option is Rank Math, which offers automatic Google Analytics account linking alongside SEO features, eliminating the need for additional plugins.