Google Analytics 4 (GA4) has replaced Universal Analytics, bringing significant changes to how metrics like Unique Page Views are tracked. Unlike UA, GA4 focuses on user engagement rather than session-based metrics, making it essential to understand the new approach.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

  • Where to find Unique Page Views (or the closest equivalent) in GA4
  • Step-by-step methods to track them accurately
  • Common mistakes to avoid
  • Alternative solutions (including BigQuery for advanced users)

Why Unique Page Views Are Different in GA4

In Universal Analytics (UA), Unique Page Views counted the number of sessions where a specific page was viewed at least once. However, GA4 no longer offers this exact metric—instead, it uses:

  • Views per User (Average number of times a user viewed a page)
  • Views (Total pageviews, including duplicates)

UA vs. GA4 Comparison Table

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🔹 Need help adjusting? Learn more in our detailed guide: How to Find Unique Page Views in Google Analytics 4.

Step-by-Step: How to Track Unique Page Views in GA4

Since GA4 doesn’t have a direct "Unique Page Views" metric, the closest alternative is "Views per User" in the Pages and Screens report.

Method 1: Using the Pages and Screens Report

  1. Go to Reports > Engagement > Pages and Screens
  2. Check the "Views per User" metric (This estimates unique views per visitor)
  3. Filter by page URL or date range (Optional)

Method 2: Using Explorations (Custom Reports)
For more flexibility:

  1. Open Explore > Blank Report
  2. Select Free-form exploration
  3. Add dimensions: Page path and screen class
  4. Add metrics: Views, Views per User, Users
  5. Apply filters (e.g., exclude homepage, specific date ranges)

Alternative Methods (BigQuery & Custom Calculations)

1. BigQuery for Advanced Users
If you need precise unique page view counts, export GA4 data to BigQuery and run SQL queries like:

SELECT 
  page_path, 
  COUNT(DISTINCT user_pseudo_id) AS unique_page_views 
FROM `your_project.analytics_XXXXXX.events_*` 
WHERE event_name = 'page_view' 
GROUP BY page_path

2. Google Looker Studio (Data Studio) Dashboards

  • Connect GA4 to Looker Studio
  • Create a custom metric: "Unique Page Views" = COUNT_DISTINCT(user_pseudo_id)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Assuming "Views per User" = Exact Unique Page Views
→ It’s an estimate, not a 1:1 replacement.

Ignoring Data Sampling in GA4
→ For large datasets, use BigQuery for unsampled data.

Not Filtering Bot Traffic
→ Enable bot filtering in GA4 Admin settings.

FAQs

Is "Views per User" the same as Unique Page Views?
No—it’s an average (e.g., if 2 users view a page 5 times, "Views per User" = 2.5).

Can I recreate UA’s Unique Page Views in GA4?
Not exactly, but BigQuery or Looker Studio can approximate it.

Why did Google remove Unique Page Views?
GA4 prioritizes user-centric metrics over session-based ones.

Final Thoughts

While GA4 doesn’t have a direct "Unique Page Views" metric, "Views per User" and custom reports provide viable alternatives.