Viewing search terms in GA4

Overview

Organic search terms are not available by default. The search term is passed in a query string to Google's server which in turn provides the link that a user clicks go arrive at the site. The keyword is thus not necessarily available when the request is made for a landing page on the site.

There are also privacy concerns around revealing people's search terms.

Paid search

Paid search terms are found in the Acquisition reports.

• GA4 > Reports > Acquisition > Overview > Sessions by Google Ads Campaign panel > View Google Ads campaigns
• Change dimensions from "Session Google Ads campaign" to "Session Google Ads keyword text"

Organic search

Connecting with Google Search Console

The property must be connected with Google Search Console to allow access to the search queries.

• GA4 > Admin > Product Links panel > Search Console Links
• Click the Link button.
• Click Choose accounts
• A page with available properties will be displayed. If the site is in this list, check its checkbox and click Confirm.

• If the property is not in the list, click Add a property
• There is a dropdown at the upper left with the list of available properties (same as on the previous page) > Select Add property
• Select property type dialog > enter the domain name under Domain
• A 2nd dialog will appear requesting verification for the domain. A TXT record is provided that allows verification.
• In cPanel for the hosting account for the domain > Domains > Zone Editor > Manage button for the domain in question > Add Record
  • Zone name: mydomain.com
  • Type: TXT
  • Record: (The record provided in the Google Search Console verification dialog)
  • Save the record and wait a few minutes for the DNS to propagate.
• Click Verify and receive a confirmation message.
• Return to GA4 Admin and refresh the page. The domain should now be displayed in the list. Click its checkbox and press Confirm.

Continue with Link setup

• Click Next after setting the search console account.
• Select Web stream and click Next.
• Review and submit.

Add Search Console to GA4 reports

• GA4 > Reports > Library (at the bottom of the sidebar)
• Search Console should be available under Collections
  • Refresh the page if Search Console isn't visible.
  • Some collections overflow to the right and aren't immediately visible. Click the right arrow if Search Console isn't visible.
• Publish Search Console and its reports will now be available under GA4 > Reports

It takes time for the query data to be available in the reports.