There are numerous reasons why discrepancies in the data may occur between GA4 and Power BI. Here's how to fix and set your setup for consistent output:
Time Zone Differences How can it be resolved?
GA4 and Power BI might differ in time zones, and thus, the data will not match here. The solution is to configure both GA4 and Power BI for the same time zone for data collection and report generation. You can adjust Power BI time zone settings or use UTC for your own sake. Testing Upstream Time Zone difference-not new.
Sampling in GA4.
GA4 then considers the case when there is a large amount of data and reports metrics are approximated values. To avoid sampling, sample the most granular data possible via Power BI import techniques; try narrowing the date range or consult with GA4 on the availability of unsampled data to assure high accuracy.
Data importing method.
Import GA4 data into Power BI via API or a connector; this may exhibit some deviation because it has been transformed or has limits set on the API.
The Fix: For this, you should use the best and most updated GA4 connector in Power BI. Further, ensure that data transformations do not alter tables containing the most important metrics meant for reporting or dashboarding purposes.
Hazy Data Processing.
For example, while GA4 would take time to report real-time or near-real-time data, Power BI may be using pull intervals that vary from GA4's dumping schedule, thus creating the grounds for inconsistent data analysis results.
Set a consistent refresh schedule in Power BI and compare data from similar time windows to reduce latency.
Different Metric Definitions.
Another difference between GA4 and Power BI is how certain metrics, such as session metrics, differ in one case from the definition in the other. Furthermore, defining a session in GA includes a method that would be different from what Power BI calculates or assumes.
The Fix: Cross-check the metric definitions for GA4 and Power BI before adjusting your Power BI measures or calculations to GA4 definitions.
6. Filters and Segments
Analytical measures applied from GA4 might report differences in the data and not be matched with their counterparts in Power BI.
Solution: Ensure that filters or segments are applied on GA4 when reflected on Power BI and that data reporting is accurate.
Addressing the factors mentioned above, such as timezone differences, sampling differences, import method differences, processing delays, differences in metric definitions, and filtering practices, could minimize the number of discrepancies so that data between GA4 and Power BI would be said to be consistent.
