How to Track WordPress Categories and Tags in Google Analytics 4

Ever wondered how to track WordPress categories in Google Analytics?

If you’re running a content-heavy website, tracking your categories and tags gives you information about what your audience loves to read. 

In this guide, you’ll learn how to monitor the performance of your WordPress categories and tags using Google Analytics 4. We’ll cover the differences between WordPress categories vs tags, how to set up tracking with tools like Analytify, and how to create custom reports for better content strategy. 

Let’s get started!

Understand WordPress Categories vs Tags

WordPress Taxonomy is a classification system for content. It helps group and organize content into logical structures.

WordPress has two default taxonomies: categories and tags.

Let’s understand what these categories and tags are!

What Are WordPress Categories?

WordPress categories are a built-in feature that helps you organize your website content into broad topics. When you write blog posts, you can assign each one to a specific category to keep your content sorted and easy to browse. 

For example, if you run a tech blog, you might use categories like Gadgets, Apps, or Reviews. This way, visitors can quickly find posts that interest them.

One of the best things about WordPress categories is their hierarchical structure. That means you can have main categories (called parent categories) and subcategories under them.

What Are WordPress Tags?

WordPress tags are labels that help describe specific details of your posts, unlike categories, which group content broadly. Tags let you pinpoint more focused ideas, like themes, subtopics, or keywords related to the post. For example, a blog post in the Health category could have tags like workout, yoga, and nutrition. 

Tags are non-hierarchical, meaning there’s no parent-child structure. You can add as many as needed to highlight the main points of your post.

Here’s a quick comparison table to clearly understand how WordPress categories vs tags work:

Feature	Categories	Tags
Structure	Hierarchical (parent & child)	Non-hierarchical
Purpose	Group posts into broad topics	Describe specific details of a post
Required?	Yes, at least one per post	No, completely optional

Regarding analytics, Google Analytics 4 Categories tracking helps spot popular content sections, while tags offer details on trending subtopics. WordPress tags tracking GA4 allows you to monitor which tags get the most clicks or engagement. Use both for better content structure and analytics tracking.

WordPress Categories vs Tags: Which to Use?

Use categories when you want to group your content into big topics. Think of them like sections of your website: Travel, Food, or Tech. Every post needs at least one category. On the other hand, use tags to describe the more minor details in your post. For example, in a post under the Tech category, you might use tags like smartphones, iPhone, or Android.

Categories help readers explore general topics, while tags help them find specific things. Together, they keep your site neat and easy to navigate, making tracking easier in tools like Google Analytics 4.

Setting Up Tracking for WordPress Categories and Tags in Google Analytics 4

To track categories and tags in GA4, you’ll need to implement them as custom dimensions using Google Analytics 4 or a WordPress categories analytics plugin like Analytify that supports advanced tracking. The Analytify plugin simplifies this process by allowing you to set up custom dimensions without delving into complex coding.

 Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you set up tracking for categories and tags using Analytify:

Step 1: Prerequisites for Setting Up Tracking

Before you can track WordPress categories and tags in GA4 using Analytify, make sure you’ve completed these steps:

1. Activate Analytify 

• First of all, install and activate the Analytify Pro. If not, check out our detailed guide on how to Install And Activate Analytify Pro.

      2.  Activate the Custom Dimensions Add-on

• From your WordPress dashboard, go to Analytify >> Add-ons. 

• Find the Custom Dimensions add-on and activate it. This feature is essential for tracking categories and tags.
  

Once these are in place, you’re ready to set up custom dimensions to start tracking categories and tags!

Step 2: Setting Up Custom Dimensions in Analytify

1. Access Analytify Settings

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

2. Navigate to Tracking Settings

• Click on the Tracking tab, then select Custom Dimensions.

3. Add New Dimensions

• Click on Add Dimension.

• Then choose Category and Tag from the dropdown menu. These are pre-built options in Analytify. 

    4.   Save Changes

• After adding the desired dimensions, click Save Changes to apply the settings.

Step 3: Configuring Custom Dimensions in GA4

1. Access GA4 Admin Settings

• Log in to your Google Analytics account, select your GA4 property, and click Admin.

2. Navigate to Custom Definitions

• Under the Property column, click on Custom Definitions.

3. Create Custom Dimensions:

• Click on Create Custom Dimension.

• For Dimension Name, enter a descriptive name like “Category” or “Tag”.
• Set the Scope to Event.
• For Event Parameter, enter the corresponding parameter name used in Analytify (e.g., category, tag).
• Click Save to create the dimension.

Note: It may take 24-48 hours for data to appear in your GA4 reports.

How to View Category and Tag Data in GA4

To check how your categories and tags are performing in GA4, you’ll need to follow the steps below :

Step-by-Step Guide to Access Category/Tag Data:

 Once the setup is complete and data has been collected:

1. Navigate to Reports

• In GA4, go to Reports >> Engagement >> Pages and screens.

2. Add Secondary Dimension
   
   • Click on the plus (+) icon next to the primary dimension.

• Select Custom (Event-scoped), then choose Category or Tag.

• You can use the search bar or filters to search for a category or tag name.

3. Analyze Data: 

• You’ll now see how different categories or tags perform regarding views, engagement, and other metrics.

Using Content Grouping to Track Categories

Content grouping in GA4 helps you organize your content via categories and tags to understand better which topics perform best. For example, if you run a blog with categories like Travel, Food, and Tech, WordPress content grouping analytics lets you easily track and compare these sections.

Follow the following steps:

1. Log in to your GA4 property.
   
2. In the left-hand menu, go to Admin >> Custom Definitions.

3. Click Create Custom Dimension.
   

4. Enter a name like Post Category or Post Tag.
   
5. Set the Scope to Event.
   
6. For the Event parameter, enter the key you’re using in your tracking setup (e.g., post_category, post_tag).
   
7. Click Save.
   

Once set up, you’ll be able to group and analyze your traffic by categories/tags inside Exploration Reports or by creating custom dashboards.

Custom Reports for Categories and Tags

Before building the report, confirm that category (post_category) and tag (post_tag) data are being tracked as custom dimensions in GA4.

Note: If you’re using Analytify’s Custom Dimensions Add-on, it will automatically send this data

 Steps to Create a Custom Exploration Report

1. Go to your GA4 property.
   
2. Click Explore in the left menu.

3. Choose Blank to start a new custom report.

4. Name your exploration (e.g., “Category Performance”).
   
5. Under Dimensions, click the + icon.
   

6. Import your custom dimensions like Post Category or Post Tag, then click Import.
   

7. Under Metrics, add data such as:
   
   • Views
     
   • Engaged sessions
     
   • Conversions
     
   • Bounce rate
     

    8. Drag your desired dimension (e.g., Post Category) into the Rows section.

    9. Drag metrics into the Values section.

You now have a detailed custom report grouped by categories or tags.

By following these steps, you can effectively track WordPress taxonomies GA4, including categories and tags, using tools like Analytify. This allows you to analyze content performance and make smarter decisions to improve your content strategy.

Why Tracking Categories and Tags in GA4 Is Important

Tracking categories and tags in GA4 helps you understand what topics or content types your visitors enjoy the most. WordPress category traffic analytics shows how users interact with different sections of your site, so you can create more of what works and improve what doesn’t.

Here’s why it matters:

• See what’s popular: Know which categories or tags get the most views.
  
• Improve content strategy: Focus on topics your audience cares about.
  
• Boost engagement: Discover what keeps visitors reading or clicking.
  
• Organize better: Spot underperforming sections that may need updates.
  
• Support SEO efforts: Understand which tagged topics bring in traffic.

By tracking this in GA4, you’re not guessing; you’re using real data to guide your content. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts: Track WordPress Categories in Google Analytics

Tracking WordPress taxonomies GA4, including categories and tags, not only reveals which topics perform best but also helps you to tune your content strategy based on real data. By setting up custom dimensions in GA4 and using a WordPress categories analytics plugin like Analytify, you can easily monitor categories and tags without touching code. 

From understanding the difference between categories and tags to building custom reports and using WordPress content grouping analytics, every step empowers you to make decisions.

For further guidance and related articles, check the following: 

• How to get started with GA4 Custom Dimensions Addon

What type of content categories are driving the most traffic on your site, and are you tracking them in GA4 yet? Let us know in the comments below!