Why Events with user_id Might Not Be Tracked
Why Events with user_id Might Not Be Tracked
Some GA4 events sent via the Measurement Protocol may be ignored if they include a user_id without the required user_data object. This behavior typically occurs after enabling user-provided data collection in your GA4 property settings. Learn why this happens, how it affects your tracking, and the simple fix to ensure your events are captured correctly.
Table Of Content
Why Events with user_id Might Not Be Tracked
Why Server-Side Tracking Matters
When sending events via the Measurement Protocol, including the user_id without accompanying user_data can lead to those events not being recorded. This behavior is tied to the "User-provided data collection" acknowledgment in your GA4 property's settings.
Steps to Resolve the Issue
To ensure your events are tracked correctly:
Include an Empty user_data Object: Modify your event payload to include an empty user_data object alongside the user_id.
Example JSON Payload:
{
"client_id": "1234567890.1234567890",
"user_id": "user_123",
"user_data": {},
"events": [
{
"name": "purchase",
"params": {
"transaction_id": "T12345",
"value": 99.99,
"currency": "USD"
}
}
]
}
Disable user_id Temporarily: If including user_data isn't feasible, consider omitting the user_id from your payload. However, this might impact user tracking and session stitching.
Understanding the Root Cause
The issue arises after acknowledging the "User-provided data collection" policy in GA4. Once acknowledged, GA4 expects a user_data object whenever a user_id is sent via the Measurement Protocol. Failing to include user_data results in the event being discarded, even though it might appear in DebugView.
Summary Table
| Issue | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Events with user_id not tracked | Missing user_data object after acknowledging data collection policy | Include an empty user_data object in payload |
| Privacy Compliance | Limited | Enhanced |
| Events appear in DebugView but not reports | user_id sent without user_data | Add user_data or omit user_id temporarily |
| Events not tracked due to consent issues | Users haven't granted analytics consent | Implement a consent management platform |
By ensuring that your Measurement Protocol payloads include both user_id and an accompanying user_data object, even if empty, you can maintain accurate event tracking in GA4.
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FAQs
Why aren’t my GA4 events tracked when using user_id?
Events may not be tracked if you're sending a user_id without a corresponding user_data object, especially after acknowledging the User-Provided Data Collection policy in GA4.
Does GA4 require user_data when sending user_id?
Yes. Once you’ve accepted the User-Provided Data Collection policy, GA4 expects a user_data object with the user_id—even if it’s empty.
What happens if I send user_id without user_data?
GA4 may discard the event silently. It might appear in DebugView but won’t be logged in reports or standard analytics views.
How can I fix events not tracked due to user_id?
Add an empty user_data object to your Measurement Protocol payload. This satisfies GA4’s data handling requirement.
Can I just remove the user_id to make events work?
Yes, temporarily removing user_id may allow events to be tracked again, but you’ll lose user-level tracking and session stitching.
What does a correct payload with user_id look like?
It should include both client_id and user_id, and an empty user_data object. This keeps GA4 compliant and functional.
Why did this issue appear recently?
The behavior started after GA4 rolled out stricter enforcement tied to the User-Provided Data Collection setting.
Where can I validate my event payload?
You can use Google’s Measurement Protocol Validation Server to ensure your payload is correctly formatted and compliant.
What if my events are visible in DebugView but not in reports?
This usually means the event was sent but discarded later—most often due to missing or improperly formatted user_data with user_id.
Do I need user consent to send this data?
Yes. Always ensure you've collected valid user consent when tracking personally identifiable data like user_id and user_data.
