How to Add Google Analytics to WordPress (in Under 10 Minutes)
A step-by-step guide to connecting Google Analytics 4 to your WordPress site, with or without a plugin.
Google Analytics shows you who visits your site, how they found you and what they do once they arrive. Here's how to set up Google Analytics 4 (GA4) on WordPress in a few minutes.
Step 1: Create a GA4 property
- 01Go to analytics.google.com and sign in with your Google account.
- 02Open Admin and choose Create, then Property. Enter your site name, time zone and currency.
- 03When asked to set up a data stream, choose Web and enter your website URL.
- 04Copy the Measurement ID. It starts with G-.
Step 2 (option A): Use the Site Kit plugin
Site Kit is Google's official WordPress plugin and the simplest route for most sites.
- 01In WordPress, go to Plugins → Add New and search for Site Kit by Google.
- 02Install and activate it, then start the setup wizard.
- 03Sign in with the same Google account and grant the requested permissions.
- 04Choose Analytics and select the property you created.
Step 2 (option B): Add the tag manually
If you prefer not to add a plugin, paste the Google tag (gtag.js) snippet from your data stream's installation instructions into your site's <head>. A code snippets plugin or your theme's header settings are safer than editing theme files directly, because theme updates can overwrite manual changes.
Step 3: Check that it works
Open your website in another browser tab, then go to Reports → Realtime in Google Analytics. You should see your own visit within a minute or two. If nothing appears, clear any caching plugin and check that the Measurement ID matches.
Next steps
- Mark key actions (form submissions, purchases, calls) as key events.
- Link Google Search Console to see which searches bring visitors.
- Make sure your cookie banner and privacy policy cover analytics where required.
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