Create a GA4 property and website data stream

Create a Google Analytics 4 (GA4) property and a website data stream, then save their IDs for the person who will install tracking. A property holds your reporting data; a stream is the website source inside it.

• Outcome: Tracking & measurement
• Tools: Google Analytics 4
• Responsible: Anyone setting up a website in an existing Google Analytics account with permission to create properties.
• Estimated time: 15 minutes

Scope

This SOP covers:

• One property and one website data stream in an existing Analytics account
• Property name, reporting time zone, currency, website URL and stream name
• Saved property, stream and Measurement IDs; enhanced measurement off

This does not cover:

• Creating an Analytics account or granting access
• Installing tags, testing data collection or configuring consent
• Setting up lead events, key events or reports

Requirements

• A Google account with Editor or Administrator access to the existing Analytics account, plus the name of that Analytics account.
• A property name, reporting time zone and reporting currency chosen for the business.
• The business industry, employee-count range and main reason for using Analytics.
• The primary website URL, including https:// or http://, and a stream name. The stream name labels the website source and may match the property name.

Related SOPs

• SOP 011: Create a Google Tag Manager account and web container
• SOP 012: Install GA4 through Google Tag Manager

01. Create the property

Add a reporting space inside the account that owns this website.

1. Open Google Analytics. Use the account selector at the top to select the existing Analytics account from your prerequisites. Open Admin, then choose Create > Property.

2. Enter the property name. Choose the reporting time zone, which sets when a reporting day begins and ends, and the currency used for money amounts. Use the values from your prerequisites, then click Next.

3. Select the business industry and employee-count range, then click Next. Choose the business objective that matches your main reason for using Analytics, then click Create a property.

02. Create the website stream

Give the website its own source inside the new property.

1. Choose Web. For Website URL, select the website’s protocol (https:// or http://) and enter the remaining address in the URL field. Enter the stream name. Turn Enhanced measurement off and confirm Turn off so automatic extra interaction tracking remains off. Click Create & continue.

03. Check the saved setup and copy its IDs

Reopen the saved settings before handing the IDs to the person installing tracking.

1. Check the saved property settings and record its Property ID in your Measurement handoff note.

   1. Close the Google tag setup panel. If asked about unsaved changes, choose Discard Changes; this removes only the optional tag setup suggestion, not your saved property or stream. Close Web stream details, then click Next and Continue to Home.

   2. Open Admin and check that the account selector shows the intended account and new property. Open Property > Property details and compare the saved name, reporting time zone and currency with your prerequisites.

   3. Create a simple note named Measurement handoff note with these headings: Property ID, Stream ID, and Measurement ID. Copy the Property ID into the note under the Property ID heading.

2. In Admin, open Data collection and modification > Data streams and select the new web stream. Check its saved name and full website URL against your prerequisites, and confirm Enhanced measurement is off. Copy the Stream ID into the Measurement handoff note under Stream ID and the Measurement ID under Measurement ID. The Measurement ID is the value used for later tag installation.