By default, every session in Google Analytics 4 (GA4) will last a maximum of 30 minutes. This means when you visit a website, if you leave the website inactive (move to a different tab, etc) and leave it for more than 30 minutes, then the session will end automatically. This is what is referred to as the default session timeout. In GA4, we have an opportunity to adjust this number and change the session timeout to any amount of time that we'd like. This quick and easy guide will show you how to adjust session timeout in Google Analytics 4!
How to Adjust Session Timeout in Google Analytics 4 (GA4)
Login to Google Analytics
Navigate to Admin (bottom-left-hand-side)
Navigate to Data Streams (under the Property Column)
Click on your Data Stream
Click on "Configure tag settings"
Under Settings, click on "Show all"
Click on "Adjust session timeout"
Adjust the session timeout
Frequently Asked Questions on Session Timeout in Google Analytics 4 (GA4)
What is the maximum session timeout duration I can set in GA4?
The maximum session timeout duration you can set in GA4 is 7 hours and 55 minutes.
Does session timeout apply to all hit types in GA4?
Yes, the session timeout in GA4 is applicable to all hit kinds, including page views, events, conversions, social interactions, and eCommerce transactions. The session timeout length is the period of inactivity after which GA4 deems the session to be terminated. If the user does not engage within the defined time period, the session is ended, and any future hits from the same user will initiate a new session. This ensures that user activity is organized into relevant sessions for reliable analysis.
Can session timeout be different for different data streams in GA4?
Yes, you can set different session timeout values for different data streams in your GA4 property. This allows you to tailor the session timeout duration based on the specific behavior and needs of users for different websites or apps tracked under separate data streams.
How do session timeouts affect my GA4 data?
Session timeouts can affect various metrics such as session count, average session duration, pages per session, events per session, conversion tracking, user behavior analysis, and other session-based analyses.
Shorter session timeouts may increase the number of sessions reported, while longer timeouts may provide a more continuous view of user activity. If the session timeout is set to a shorter duration, the average session length may decrease and conversely, longer session timeouts can increase the average session duration.
Conversions that occur after a session has timed out will be attributed to a new session, which can affect attribution analysis and the understanding of conversion paths. Overall, the session timeout setting is crucial for accurate data representation in GA4. It should be configured based on the typical behavior of your users to ensure that your analytics data reflects meaningful sessions and provides valuable insights.
Why might I want to change the session timeout in GA4?
You may want to change the session timeout in GA4 for a few reasons:
Different businesses have different user engagement patterns, adjusting the session timeout can help tailor the analytics to reflect the specific context of your business
If your users tend to be inactive for longer or shorter periods of time, you can adjust the timeout to better reflect the typical user behavior on your site
Changing the timeout can impact how sessions are counted, which may improve your data accuracy
Reducing the fragmentation of sessions can help in analyzing user paths and behaviors more effectively
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