Mastering Google Analytics for Newsletter Insights

Nobody understands growth better than Google. 

After all, this Goliath was once a scrappy David in Palo Alto. That’s why Google’s free newsletter analytics are an essential tool for your climb to the top.

beehiiv's 3D analytics enable you to understand reader engagement and inbox performance, and by adding Google to the mix, you'll gain insights into website traffic, newsletter posts, and user journeys.

Here's how to start tracking emails with Google Analytics and how to leverage this data for more email subscribers and website visitors.

How Do I Track Newsletters in Google Analytics?

When it comes to email tracking with Google Analytics, you have options. Choose the one that suits your goals, budget, and web literacy.

Use a Dedicated Service or App

You can always add a new tool to your collection, but make sure it offers unique features that add value to your existing web and email stack.

These tools include:

• Analytics plugins and applications: Many website builders and content management systems (CMS) have associated app shops. Look for one with Google Analytics compatibility and email-tracking features.

• Email tracking tools: If you need more insight than your email service provides, dedicated email tracking software can give you more information about campaigns and integrate with Google Analytics.

• Customer relationship management (CRM) software: Strong CRM software incorporates Google Analytics information. This option is best for brands that need to track complex webs of customer interactions across a larger number of channels.

Use Google Analytics Measurement Protocol for Email

Measurement Protocols allow you to create dedicated tags for certain sources of information beyond your app or website (such as an email campaign). You can examine user journeys as they interact with and move between different content.

Make Trackable URLs Within Google Analytics

Trackable URLs measure how often an individual link is clicked. Use them to generate campaign data for specific mediums and sources.

The process is easy. Fill out a few fields of information, and Google will create the URL.

Choose a Compatible Email Service Provider (ESP)

Some email service providers, such as beehiiv, function in perfect harmony with Google, giving you the ability to optimize your analysis and profits.

Check out this video tutorial on using Google Analytics with beehiiv. It takes you through the steps of setting up Google Analytics and connecting it to your beehiiv property.

Does Google Analytics Track Email Addresses?

No. Google does not allow the tracking of personally identifiable information (PII), which includes email addresses.

You can still access important newsletter analytics. Google assigns each individual a unique code for tracking and marketing purposes. You just won't know their name and address.

Apple's Mail Privacy Protection (MPP) has also made the information-gathering process more difficult, obscuring certain types of user data.

What Do You Track in a Newsletter?

All the tools in the world won't do much good if you don't know what to measure.

This article on newsletter metrics breaks down the important information you can collect about your sends and subscribers. Learn more about the numbers that matter to your success.

When examining your newsletter analytics, pay particular attention to open rates and click-through rates (CTRs). A strong open rate indicates that people are eager to read your messages, and a high CTR shows that they take action after reading.

How Do You Measure Engagement in a Newsletter?

beehiiv provides detailed newsletter analytics in a format that even the least tech-savvy person can understand. Top creators such as Matt Navarra of Geekout have been able to gain useful insights into their readers.

When you add email tracking with Google Analytics, you can also see what happens after a subscriber clicks on your content and shifts to your website.

For example, you can evaluate your web archive. Google Analytics shows you how long visitors stay on a website, how many pages they view, and how they got there. More engaged users tend to stick around.

How Do You Measure Newsletter Performance?

Google Analytics and the top ESPs give you newsletter report cards, but you shouldn't get lost in the numbers.

Identify the key performance indicators (KPIs) that matter most for your brand. What metrics point to the achievement of your goals? Maybe, you focus on open rates or the number of email-driven website visitors who make a purchase.

Can You Integrate Mailchimp With Google Analytics?

Yes. Every ESP worth its salt integrates with Google Analytics.

If you're deciding between beehiiv and Mailchimp, check out this point-by-point comparison of the two services.

How Do I Track a Mailchimp Campaign in Google Analytics?

Mailchimp provides a full tutorial on its website, but here's a quick overview of the process:

1. Log into your Google Analytics account.

2. In the Reports menu, click Acquisition.

3. Click Campaigns and choose All Campaigns.

4. Browse the campaigns and click your Mailchimp campaign's title to open the report.

So Do I Need Google Analytics for My Newsletter?

It depends. Many beehiiv users find the platform's robust and intuitive analytics more than enough for their purposes.

Others want to do more with their beehiiv website and need Google Analytics for email tracking and web performance. Lucky for them, the tool works seamlessly with the beehiiv platform.

If you're ready to take the next step and use Google Analytics for email tracking, begin by setting up your Google Analytics property. Then, establish a connection between your ESP and Google Analytics.

Choose an ESP designed for growth that includes impressive analytic features. Start your beehiiv newsletter today.

Why Trust Us

I regularly publish content on digital marketing tactics and tools, including multiple features on both Google Analytics and email marketing.