What is Real-Time Analytics?
TL;DR
Analytics data showing what's happening on your website right now, current active users, pages being viewed, and events firing in real-time. In Google Analytics 4, the Realtime report shows activity from the last 30 minutes. Real-time analytics is valuable for monitoring campaign launches, testing tracking implementation, and detecting sudden traffic changes. When you send an email blast, you can watch traffic spike immediately. When testing new Events (GA4), you can verify they're firing correctly. For most regular analysis, historical reports are more useful, real-time data is too volatile for decision-making. But for troubleshooting, launch monitoring, and that immediate gratification of seeing visitors arrive, real-time reports are satisfying and practical.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Real-Time Analytics
When should I use real-time analytics?
Campaign launches (watch email traffic spike), testing tracking (verify events fire correctly), and troubleshooting issues (is the site even receiving traffic?). Don't use real-time for regular analysis, historical reports are more useful for decisions.
How long does real-time data last in GA4?
The Realtime report shows activity from the last 30 minutes. For anything older, use standard reports. Real-time data is designed for immediate monitoring, not historical analysis or trend identification.
Why does real-time show visitors but historical reports show zero?
GA4 processes data before it appears in standard reports, this can take a few hours. Real-time shows raw, unprocessed activity. If standard reports stay empty, check your tracking implementation.
Can I track conversions in real-time?
Yes, GA4's Realtime report shows events including conversions as they happen. Useful for verifying that conversion tracking works correctly when testing or after implementation changes.
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