How to Track WordPress Author Performance in Google Analytics 4 (2025 Guide)

Want to track WordPress author performance and see which writers drive the most traffic and engagement? 

In this article, we’ll discuss how to set up author tracking in Google Analytics 4 (GA4) to monitor the performance of individual authors on your WordPress site. You’ll learn the easiest plugin-based method using Analytify and a manual approach using GA4 custom dimensions.

This guide will help you learn how to easily view author-specific data like page views, bounce rates, and top-performing posts. 

Let us get started!

How to Set Up GA4 for Author Tracking in WordPress (Step by Step)

If you run a blog or website with multiple writers, tracking WordPress author performance is important. With Google Analytics 4 (GA4), you can set up author-based analytics in WordPress to monitor traffic stats, top-performing posts by writer, and other key content metrics.

In this guide, we’ll show you two easy methods to set up GA4 author performance tracking in WordPress:

1. Using the Analytify plugin (the easiest and quickest way)
   
2. Manually setting up GA4 custom dimensions for authors 

Method 1: Track WordPress Author Performance with Analytify Plugin (Easy Way)

The easiest way to set up WordPress author analytics in GA4 is by using the Analytify plugin. It automatically tracks author data and displays it in your WordPress dashboard, so no coding is needed.

Here’s how to set it up:

Step 1: Install Analytify & the Authors Add-on

You’ll need the Pro version of Analytify to get started, as the Authors Add-on is only available. If you haven’t upgraded, follow this quick guide to install Analytify Pro.

Once the Pro version is installed:

• Go to your WordPress dashboard
  
• Navigate to Analytify >> Add-ons.
  
• Find the Authors Add-on and click Install, and then Activate.

This add-on is what allows you to send author information into GA4 automatically without needing to create custom dimensions manually.

Step 2: Connect Your GA4 Account

• Go to Analytify >> Settings >> Authentication.
  
• Connect your Google Analytics 4 property by signing in to your Google account.
  
• Select the correct website property for tracking.
• Analytify will send author names to GA4 using event tracking and custom dimensions.

Step 3:  Add Author Dimension in Analytify

Once you’ve installed and activated the Author Tracking add-on, the next important step is to install and activate the Custom Dimensions add-on. This allows you to add the Author as a custom dimension in GA4 for proper tracking. Here is the complete guide on how to get started with custom dimensions.

Once the Custom Dimensions add-on is ready, follow the steps below to track WordPress author analytics in GA4 using Analytify.

1. In your WordPress dashboard, go to Analytify >> Settings.

2. From the top menu, click on the Tracking tab.
   
3. Under the dropdown, select Custom Dimensions.
   
4. Then click the green Add Dimension button.

5. From the new window, select the Author dimension to enable GA4 custom dimensions author tracking. Then save the changes.
   

This setup allows you to collect author-based data and view WordPress author traffic stats in your GA4 property through Analytify.

Step 4: Set Up Custom Dimensions in Google Analytics 4 (GA4)

To properly track WordPress author performance using GA4, add a custom dimension to your Google Analytics account. Here’s how:

• Click on the Admin gear icon in the bottom-left corner of your GA4 dashboard.
  
• Under the Property column, click on Custom Definitions.

• Then, click the Create custom dimensions button (as shown in the screenshot).

• Enter all the required details as given below:
  • Dimension Name: Author
  • Scope: Set this to Event
  • Description: You can write something like “Track WordPress author name”
  • Event Parameter: Enter author_name (this should match the parameter sent from your site)
• Once everything is filled in, click Save to complete the setup.

Step 5: View Author Reports in WordPress

Once installed and activated, the Authors Tracking addon, Analytify, will automatically collect author-based performance data. You can view this data in the Authors Tracking Dashboard within your WordPress admin panel.

Follow these steps to access it:

1. From the left-hand menu, click on Analytify. In the expanded menu, click on Authors Tracking.

2. You can also navigate by Analytify>>Dashboard>> Engagements>>Authors.

You will now see a dashboard showing page views, bounce rate, average session duration, and more, segmented by individual authors. This view lets you quickly analyze which authors generate the most traffic and engagement on your site.

Why Use Analytify for Author Tracking?

• No manual GA4 setup required
• Automatically creates GA4 custom dimensions for author tracking.
• Works perfectly with WordPress post authors
• Provides clear author-based analytics for WordPress right in your dashboard

If your blog has multiple contributors, this plugin makes it super easy to identify top performers and optimize your content strategy accordingly.

Method 2: Track WordPress Authors in GA4 Without a Plugin

First, set up the GA4 custom dimension author, and then you can create a custom exploration report to view WordPress author traffic stats and performance metrics.

Follow these steps to track WordPress author analytics in GA4:

Step 1: Set Up the Author Custom Dimension in GA4

To ensure GA4 collects Author data properly:

• Click on the Admin gear icon in the bottom-left corner of your GA4 dashboard.
  
• Under the Property column, click on Custom Definitions.

• Then, click the Create custom dimensions button (as shown in the screenshot).

• Enter all the required details as given below:
  • Dimension Name: Author
  • Scope: Set this to Event
  • Description: You can write something like “Track WordPress author name”
  • Event Parameter: Enter author_name (this should match the parameter sent from your site)
• Once everything is filled in, click Save to complete the setup.

Note: This will enable GA4 to track the author’s name for each pageview and event sent from your WordPress site.

Step 2: Build a Custom Exploration Report for Authors in GA4

Once the custom dimension is added, follow these steps to view author-specific data:

1. In your GA4 dashboard, go to the Explore tab.
   

2. Click Blank to create a new exploration report.

3. Click the “+” sign next to Dimensions.
4. Search for and select the following dimensions:
   
   • Author
   • Page Title.              

5. Now, click the “+” sign next to Metrics and select the following metrics:
   
   • Views
   • Key event
   • Bounce rate 
   • Engagement rate  

     6. Drag the Author into the Rows section.

     7. Drag Views into the Values section.

Your report will now show a table of Authors and their respective Page Views.

Optional: Add Nested Rows for Detailed Page-Level Analysis

To explore which pages are driving conversions for each author:

• Drag Page Title into the Rows box beneath Author.
• When prompted, choose “Yes” to enable Nested Rows, which groups page titles under each author.
• Drag Conversions into the Values section to see performance per page and author.

This setup will give you a detailed author performance report with page-level insights and conversion data.

This way, you can do easily Google Analytics 4 author tracking, view how much traffic each author brings in, and analyze conversion performance, without using any additional plugin.

How to Use Author Performance Data to Optimize Content Strategy

Tracking individual author performance on WordPress is essential for blogs with multiple writers. It helps you understand which authors are creating content that connects well with readers. whether through more page views, longer sessions, or lower bounce rates. Once top performers are identified, their successful topics and styles can guide your content strategy.

For instance, if one author consistently drives organic traffic and engagement, you can focus more on their approach. If another author’s posts show low engagement or high bounce rates, it may mean their content needs improvement. Comparing author performance also reveals content gaps, helping you see what styles or topics are working and where your team can improve.

To help underperforming authors, try WordPress author analytics GA4 data like average session duration, scroll depth, and key event completions. Then offer feedback, maybe on writing better introductions, improving SEO, or creating stronger calls to action. 

Try testing different formats like how-tos, listicles, or case studies to boost results. Identify weak content areas that might need updates, new keywords, or fresh writing.

And don’t forget to appreciate your top-performing writers. With tools like Google Analytics and plugins like Analytify, it’s easy to spot who’s making a real difference. It helps you build a better content strategy.

GA4 Author Performance Tracking FAQs

Final Thoughts: Track WordPress Author Performance

If you manage a content team or run a multi-author blog, it’s essential to track author-based analytics in WordPress to identify who’s driving the most traffic, engagement, and conversions. In this guide, we showed you two proven methods to do it using GA4: one with the help of the Analytify plugin and another through manual setup with GA4 custom dimensions and exploration reports.

Using Analytify makes it easy to track WordPress author performance metrics such as page views, bounce rate, and other key metrics directly from your WordPress dashboard, with no coding needed.

By tracking author performance, you can uncover high-performing content creators, optimize underperforming posts, and refine your overall content strategy. 

For further guidance, check the following documentation:

How to implement author-level tracking using analytify?

Have any questions about how to track WordPress author performance? Drop them in the comments below!