Overview

If you sell subscriptions, our Google Analytics 4 server-side integration can send recurring orders to Google Analytics 4, where the recurring orders can use the attribution from the first order.

This function works if:

1. Your Subscription Software copies the original order when it creates a recurring order (most do).
2. You've been running the Elevar DataLayer for long enough.

---

How it Works

How the Google Analytics Server-Side Attribution works:

1. Elevar's DataLayer writes the attribution details (e.g. UTM parameters, click IDs, & cookie IDs) from the customer's session into the Order Notes of their Order.
2. The server sends the attribution data in the order notes to Google Analytics.
3. Google Analytics takes this attribution and associates it with the event scoped source/medium for the purchase event. NOTE: this will not update the session scoped source/medium which will display as unassigned.

How the Recurring Subscription Order Attribution Works:

Once you implement the Elevar DataLayer, Elevar begens recording attribution data for your one-time purchases and the first subscription orders.

Typically, when a subscription software generates a recurring order, it duplicates the original order, including its notes. Therefore, when this recurring order is sent to GA4, it retains the same attribution details as the initial subscription order.

However, you likely sold subscriptions long before integrating the Elevar DataLayer. Hence, these orders do not carry the original attribution from the first order notes, and Elevar cannot retroactively retrieve the original UTM parameters or cookie IDs.

For newly placed subscription first orders, Elevar will capture attribution details in the Order Notes. When your subscription software subsequently generates new recurring orders based on these orders, if it replicates the original order, the new recurring orders will inherit the attribution details from the original order.

---

How to Setup using Unified Shopify Checkout

Navigate to GA4 Destination:

• On the homepage of your Elevar Account, use the left-hand menu to click on the "My Tracking" tab.
• Once in "My Tracking" section, navigate to your destinations and select the "GA4" destination.
  • (See Figure 1)

Figure 1

Locate Subscription Settings:

• Once in the GA4 destination, navigate to the "Setup Steps" box.
• Locate and click the step titled "Subscriptions".
  • (See Figure 2)

Figure 2

Subscription Products and Sending Recurring Orders:

• Once in the Subscriptions setup step, navigate to the section titled "Do you sell subscription products?".
  • Click on either the "Yes, using unified Shopify checkout" button.
  • If you sell subscription products, navigate to the section titled "Would you like to send recurring orders?".
  • Click on either the "Yes, send" or "No, Block" button.
    • (See Figure 3)

Figure 3

Attribution Source/Medium:

• Navigate to the section titled "Would you like to customize the attribution source/medium of the recurring orders?".
  • Click on the button labeled "Use source/medium override". Currently selecting "Use source/medium override" is the recommended best use.
  • (See Figure 4)

Figure 4

Save Changes:

• Once you have all of selected all of the information for Subscriptions using unified Shopify checkout, click on the "Save and Continue" button at the bottom of the Subscription Setup Settings section.
• A pop-up window will appear, asking for a confirmation of your changes.
  • Click on the button labeled "Yes, Save Changes".
  • (See Figure 5)

Figure 5

---

How to Setup using Separate Checkout

Navigate to GA4 Destination:

• On the homepage of your Elevar Account, use the left-hand menu to locate and click on the "My Tracking" tab.
• Once in "My Tracking" section, navigate to your destinations and select the "GA4" destination.
  • (See Figure 6)

Figure 6

Locate Subscription Settings:

• Once in the GA4 destination, navigate to the "Setup Steps" box.
• Locate and click the step titled "Subscriptions".
  • (See Figure 7)

Figure 7

Subscription Products and Sending Recurring Orders:

• Once in the Subscriptions setup step, navigate to the section titled "Do you sell subscription products?".
  • Click on the button labeled "Yes, using separate checkout".
• Navigate to the section titled "What Shopify subscription app do you use?".
  • Select the the button labeled, "ReCharge/ OrderGroove" if you use ReCharge or OrderGroove.
  • If you use a subscription software that is not listed, select the button labeled "Other" and type in the software that you currently use.
    • (See Figure 8)

Figure 8

First-Time Orders:

• Next, locate the section titled "Would you like to send first-time orders?". Select either the "Yes, send" button or the "No, block" button.
  • First-time orders are the first purchases from the subscription sequence. You can choose to send recurring orders to this destination or to block them.
  • (See Figure 9)

Figure 9

Recurring Orders:

• Navigate to the section titled "Would you like to send recurring orders?".

  • Click on the button labeled "Yes, send".
  • (See Figure 10)

  

Figure 10

Attribution Source/Medium:

• Navigate to the section titled "Would you like to customize the attribution source/medium of the recurring orders?".
  • Click on the button labeled "Use source/medium override".
  • Selecting "Use source/medium override" is the recommended best use.
  • (See Figure 11)

Figure 11

Save Changes:

• Once you have all of selected all of the information for Subscriptions using unified Shopify checkout, click on the "Save and Continue" button at the bottom of the Subscription Setup Settings section.

• A pop-up window will appear, asking for a confirmation of your changes.

  • Click on the button labeled "Yes, Save Changes".
  • (See Figure 12)

  

Figure 12