> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.littledata.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.littledata.io/integrations/facebook-capi/connect-meta-ads-account-with-ga4.md).

# Connect Meta Ads Account With GA4

## Connect your Meta Ads account with GA4

Meta has a native integration with Google Analytics 4 (GA4) that shares GA4 data with Meta Ads Manager. Meta says this gives better attribution and optimization. This page walks you through the setup and the choices to watch out for.

This is Meta's own integration, set up in Meta Events Manager. It is separate from Littledata's [Meta Conversions API](https://help.littledata.io/integrations/facebook-capi/how-it-works-shopify-to-meta-conversions-api) connection.

### Set up the integration

Setup takes about 5 to 10 minutes.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Find Google Analytics in Partner Integrations

Ads Manager may show you a popup that offers the integration. If you don't see it, go to **Events Manager** > **Partner Integrations** and find **Google Analytics** under the **Analytics** category.

![](https://3956158252-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F1QhTbrMraNWciQeDvu1b%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-27948f62f177b9dac9957fd3c7bdab8bc89ad8ce%2F0-where-to-find-it-if-you-havent-been-hit-by-the-popup.png?alt=media)
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Start the setup

Select **Google Analytics** and click **Get started**.

![](https://3956158252-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F1QhTbrMraNWciQeDvu1b%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-3ccb8354e49c5876ca5df0f75c7f5b0d96feb4da%2F1-meta-to-ga4.png?alt=media)
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Choose which ad accounts to connect

Meta checks **Apply connection to all Meta ad accounts within this Business Manager** by default. Not every ad account needs GA4 data, so we recommend you uncheck it. Then check the box to accept Meta's terms.

![](https://3956158252-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F1QhTbrMraNWciQeDvu1b%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-d75cd87ad3830a5b7c7cf861537f535a1e013e3d%2F2-meta2ga4-starting.png?alt=media)
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Select your GA4 property

Meta asks for access to Google Analytics. Select the GA4 property for the store that runs your Meta ads.

![](https://3956158252-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F1QhTbrMraNWciQeDvu1b%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-c94e1357273863b61268563ec9b9e64252c8da5c%2F5-m2ga4-select-properties.png?alt=media)
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Map the property to a dataset

In **Dataset mapping**, use the dropdown on the right to choose the matching Meta dataset (pixel) from your Business Manager.

![](https://3956158252-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F1QhTbrMraNWciQeDvu1b%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-8e33c89aaeb21604fa4a4c554ccbd8fd28c3bb51%2F6-m2ga4-pixel-mapping.png?alt=media)
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Choose sharing preferences

In **Sharing preferences**, choose **All traffic sources** or **Only traffic coming from Meta**. We recommend **All traffic sources**.

Browser privacy limits (ad blockers, privacy-focused browsers, Apple's ITP in Safari) mean many key events from Meta campaign visitors aren't credited to Meta in GA4. Sharing all traffic gives Meta more data to work with.

![](https://3956158252-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F1QhTbrMraNWciQeDvu1b%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-3f891cbc6fa8c74e1a413898be0b7d66bee987a2%2F7-m2ga4-share-all-traffic-because-lot-if-is-unassigned.png?alt=media)
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Map key events to Meta events

In **Event mapping**, match each GA4 key event to a Meta event type. Meta only lists GA4 events that are marked as key events.

In this example, only `purchase` is a key event in GA4, so it's the only event available. If you've marked events like `add_to_cart` or `add_payment_info` as key events in GA4, you can map them too.

![](https://3956158252-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F1QhTbrMraNWciQeDvu1b%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-1feb53df2435413eae1f19f47b5b236aeea9ed0b%2F8-key-event-mapping---note-its-only-key-events.png?alt=media)
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Finish and wait for validation

Review the summary and finish the setup. Meta then starts receiving event data from GA4. It usually takes two to seven days for Meta to validate the changes.

Meta says events from this integration won't be counted twice alongside your other Meta event sources.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

### Related articles

* [Why is Meta attribution different from GA4?](https://help.littledata.io/integrations/facebook-capi/why-is-meta-attribution-different-from-ga4)
* [How it works: Shopify to Meta Conversions API](https://help.littledata.io/integrations/facebook-capi/how-it-works-shopify-to-meta-conversions-api)
* [Meta Ads tracking for Shopify: the complete guide](/integrations/facebook-capi/meta-ads-tracking-guide.md)