## **🔍 What This Article Covers**

This guide explains the correct process for connecting Google Tag Manager (GTM) and Google Analytics 4 (GA4) to Search Atlas. These are **two separate steps** that are easy to confuse — GTM container setup happens entirely inside your GTM account, while GA4 property connection is configured inside Search Atlas. This article walks you through both clearly.

## **⚠️ Common Misconceptions to Avoid**

There is **no Copy button** and no tag code retrieval screen inside the Search Atlas Integrations dashboard. Search Atlas does not generate GTM snippets or tag IDs for you. If you were told otherwise, that information is incorrect. Your GTM container code (for example, **GTM-PT8CD89P**) comes from your own Google Tag Manager account, and your GA4 Measurement ID comes from your own Google Analytics 4 property.

## **📋 What You Need Before You Start**

- Access to your **Google Tag Manager account** at tagmanager.google.com
- Access to your **Google Analytics 4 property** at analytics.google.com
- Your GTM container ID (format: **GTM-XXXXXXX**)
- Your GA4 Measurement ID (format: **G-XXXXXXXXXX**)
- Admin or publish permissions in both Google accounts
- Admin access to your Search Atlas workspace

## **🏗️ Step 1 — Set Up GA4 Tag Inside Google Tag Manager**

This step happens entirely in your GTM account. Search Atlas is not involved here.

1. Log in to **tagmanager.google.com** and open the container you want to use (for example, GTM-PT8CD89P).
2. In the left sidebar, click **Tags**, then click **New**.
3. Click **Tag Configuration** and choose **Google Tag** (or **Google Analytics: GA4 Configuration** if available in your account).
4. Enter your **GA4 Measurement ID** (G-XXXXXXXXXX) in the Measurement ID field. You can find this in your GA4 property under Admin → Data Streams → select your stream → Measurement ID.
5. Click **Triggering** and select **All Pages** so the tag fires on every page of your site.
6. Name the tag something clear, such as **GA4 Configuration Tag**, then click **Save**.
7. Click **Submit** in the top-right corner of GTM to publish your container. Without publishing, the tag will not fire on your site.

## **🌐 Step 2 — Add Your GTM Container Snippet to Your Website**

For GTM to work, the container snippet must be installed on your website. If it is already installed, skip this step.

1. In GTM, click **Admin** in the top navigation, then click **Install Google Tag Manager**.
2. Copy the two code snippets provided. Paste the first snippet as high as possible in the **`<head>`** of every page. Paste the second snippet immediately after the opening **`<body>`** tag.
3. If you use a CMS such as WordPress, use a plugin like **Site Kit by Google** or **Insert Headers and Footers** to add these snippets without editing code directly.
4. After installation, use the **GTM Preview mode** (click Preview in your GTM container) to confirm the container is firing correctly on your site before proceeding.

## **🔗 Step 3 — Connect Your GA4 Property to Search Atlas**

Once GTM is live on your site and your GA4 tag is publishing data, you can connect your GA4 property to Search Atlas. This is where Search Atlas configuration begins.

1. Log in to Search Atlas and click **Site Metrics** in the left sidebar.
2. If prompted to connect a property, follow the on-screen OAuth flow to authorise Search Atlas to access your Google Analytics account.
3. Select the **GA4 property** that corresponds to the site you are tracking. Search Atlas will use this connection to pull traffic and engagement data into your dashboards.
4. Once connected, data will begin populating in **Site Metrics** within 24–48 hours depending on your GA4 data volume.

## **✅ How to Verify Everything Is Working**

- **In GTM:** Use Preview mode to confirm your GA4 Configuration tag fires on All Pages with no errors.
- **In GA4:** Go to Reports → Realtime and visit your site in a browser. You should see at least one active user appear within seconds.
- **In Search Atlas:** Navigate to **Site Metrics** in the left sidebar and confirm traffic data is populating. If the property connection was recent, allow up to 48 hours for data to appear.

## **🛠️ Troubleshooting Common Issues**

- **No data in Search Atlas after 48 hours:** Disconnect and reconnect your GA4 property in Site Metrics using the OAuth flow. Confirm you selected the correct GA4 property (not a Universal Analytics property).
- **GTM container not firing on site:** Double-check that both GTM snippets are installed correctly and that you have published the container (Preview mode alone does not send live data).
- **GA4 Realtime shows no users:** Confirm the GA4 Measurement ID in your GTM tag matches the one shown in GA4 under Admin → Data Streams.
- **Wrong container ID:** Your GTM container ID is found in GTM under Admin → Container Settings. It always starts with GTM-.

## **💬 Need More Help?**

If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type **human teammate** to be connected with a member of our team.