GA4 Feature Update: You Can Now Save Segments in Explorations!
*(The original article in Japanese was written by Kasumi Yoshinari, the Senior Customer Success Consultant of the Ayudante’s GMP team. This is a translated version.)
Kasumi Yoshinari, the Senior Customer Success Consultant of Ayudante
Are you making the most of GA4’s segment features?
Previously, segments in GA4 couldn’t be saved, so you had to recreate them each time you started a new Exploration. However, with the October 2024 update, a save feature has been added. In this column, we’ll walk you through how to use this new feature.
Note: All information in this post is current as of October 2024. Some properties may not yet reflect this functionality.
For more details, please visit the official help page: [GA4] Segment builder
GA4 Segments Can Now Be Saved
When making strategic decisions or conducting day-to-day analyses, looking at overall data alone can be too broad. It’s essential to filter and aggregate specific data to understand trends more effectively.
This is where the segment feature comes in.
Previously, segments couldn’t be saved to a property in GA4, meaning they could only be used within the Exploration in which they were created. If you wanted to use the same segment in another Exploration, you had to recreate it. This limitation likely added to the reporting workload for those who needed to repeatedly create similar segment definitions.
With this update, you can now reuse the same segment across multiple reports and even share segments with others.
How to Create a Segment
To create a segment, go to the “Variables” tab in Explorations and press the “+” button. Previously, this would take you straight to the segment creation screen. Now, you’ll first see a screen where you can choose to use a saved segment or create a new one.
If you want to use a saved segment as-is, check the box next to the segment you want, then press “Confirm” to apply it to the report.
There are several commonly used segments already set as defaults, so you can use them directly if they meet your needs.
When you hover over a segment in the “Variables” tab, a “⋮” icon will appear. From here, you can edit or duplicate the segment.
If you proceed to edit, you’ll be taken to the segment settings screen, where two buttons will appear in the top-right corner: “Save to property” and “Apply.”
Editing an Existing Segment and Saving as a Copy
To save an edited version of an existing segment, select “Save Copy”.
The newly created segment will be saved as a separate item from the original segment. For easier distinction between the original and the new segment, consider changing its name or other identifiers.
Editing an Existing Segment and Selecting “Apply”
The newly configured segment definition will be applied to the report. However, the segment will not be saved, and the original segment’s definition will remain unchanged.
If you only want to adjust the segment for use in this report and don’t plan to use it in other reports, selecting “Apply” is recommended.
When Creating a New Segment
From the segment selection screen, proceed to “Create New Segment” to enter the new segment creation screen. The basic steps for creating a segment remain the same, so we’ll skip those here.
At the end, you can choose either to Save to property or Apply from the button in the top-right corner.
Sharing and Using Segments with Others
Once a segment is created and saved, it becomes visible and usable for all users with access to this property.
Anyone who can use Exploration reports can also use segments saved by others in their own reports. Keep in mind that segments cannot be shared with specific individuals only and any changes to saved segments affect all users.
If you modify and save over a segment’s definition, it will impact all reports that use that segment, so proceed with caution.
Deleting Saved Segments
To delete an unused segment, you can only do so from the Admin screen. Segments cannot be deleted directly from reports. Go to the Admin screen, open Data display > Segments, and select the “⋮” icon next to the segment you want to delete.
FAQ
1. What permissions are required?
Creating and saving segments requires Administrator or Editor permissions.
Users with these permissions can create new segments, as well as edit and save segments created by themselves or others.
Users with lower permissions (such as Marketer, Analyst, and Viewer) can view the definitions of saved segments and use them in reports, but they cannot create, edit, save, or delete segments.
If a user without save permissions wants to customise a segment, they should select “Apply” to use the modified segment only within that specific report.
2. How many segments can be saved?
There is a limit on the number of segments that can be saved per property.
For 360 properties (paid GA4 properties), the maximum is 200 segments. For Standard properties (free GA4 properties), the maximum is 50 segments.
While 360 properties provide considerable capacity, for Standard properties with many users, segments can accumulate and eventually prevent others from saving new ones. To avoid this, it’s a good idea to periodically review and clear out unused segments.
3. Can “Read-Only” segments be edited?
Segments saved by default appear as “Read-Only” when you select “View” from the segment list, allowing you to check their definitions only.
If you’d like to edit and use one of these segments, apply it to a report first, then go to the “Variables” tab to enable editing.
4. Can the saved segments be used in standard reports?
This update specifically enhances segment usability within Exploration reports, so the segment feature remains unavailable in standard reports. If you want to focus on specific data within a standard report, continue to use comparison filters or other methods.
In Conclusion
GA4’s reporting features are continuously being improved, with more updates expected in the future. Be sure to stay informed and make the most of these tools for your daily reporting needs.
