Google Analytics

Google Analytics is used to track data about your content.

Overview

The best source of information about how a page is performing is the Analytics Dashboard. Also, you can see detailed information about how your organization is performing with the Organization Dashboard. If you want to get other information that is not in those dashboards, you might be able to get data directly from Google Analytics. Google Analytics is a complicated tool to learn and use, and Mass Digital isn't able to provide support or training. For more information, see Using Google Analytics.

To get access to Google Analytics, you’ll first need to create a Google account with your state email. This will be separate from any personal Google account you may have. This takes a few minutes. Find out how below.

After you do this, you may submit a ServiceNow support request asking for access. After Mass Digital grants you access, you’ll be able to visit analytics.google.com to see your content’s data.

What you need:

A state email address

Step 1: Go to analytics.google.com in your browser.

Note: If you’re already logged in to your personal Google account, you may need to log out.

Step 2: Click on “Create account.”

Step 4: Fill in your first name, last name, and work email address.

Note! Since you already have an email address, don’t click on the blue link to "create a new Gmail."
Double check the email address you enter is your exact state email address (such as john.doe@mass.gov), the one you plan on using for Google Analytics.

Step 5: Create a new password.

Do not use your existing password for your state email address.

Step 6: Click the blue "next" button.

Step 7: Go to your state email inbox.

You should receive an email with a verification code. Paste the code into the field asking for it and click "Next."

Step 8: Enter your phone number and click "Verify."

This step provides an extra layer of security, but you will be able to remove it in the next step.

You will get a text message with a code. Enter it in the proper field and click verify.

Step 9: Enter your age and gender

This step asks for birthday and gender. You can choose: male, female, rather not say or custom. You can also remove your phone number at this stage. Then, click "Next."

Step 10: You have the option to verify your phone number.

If you choose not to, just click "not now."

Step 11: Agree to the privacy terms.

You will also be asked about "getting discovered by local customers" which you can opt out of by clicking "Not now."

When you are finished, you will see this and know that you can access GA 4 with your state email address going forward.

Why can’t I just use my personal Google email?

We ask state employees who want to take advantage of Google Analytics to go through this process to improve security. It also makes it easier for us to collaborate with you: It’s much easier to share reports and dashboards with state email addresses than to track down an unusually formatted Gmail account.