/google-analytics-data-api-basics

name: google-analytics-data-api-basics
metadata:
  category: GoogleAnalytics
description: >-
  Manages Google Analytics reporting data, enables the Analytics Data API via the Cloud CLI, and creates reports using the Google Analytics Data API (v1beta). Use when you need to interact with Google Analytics properties, run customized analytics reports, query metrics (like activeUsers, screenPageViews) and dimensions (like city, date), check metrics and dimensions compatibility, or verify API enablement. Don't use for Google Analytics Admin API operations (e.g., creating properties, managing users) or for front-end tracking installation.

Getting Started with Google Analytics Data API

The Google Analytics Data API v1beta provides programmatic access to Google Analytics report data. It allows you to build customized dashboards, automate reporting workflows, and integrate Google Analytics data into your enterprise applications.

Enabling the API via Cloud CLI

Before making API calls, ensure the Google Analytics Data API is enabled in your Google Cloud project.

If `gcloud` is not found, prompt the user to install the Google Cloud CLI before running these commands.

1. **Enable the API:** Use the Cloud CLI (`gcloud`) to enable `analyticsdata.googleapis.com`.

    gcloud services enable analyticsdata.googleapis.com --quiet

*Why: Enabling the API ensures your Cloud project has the necessary quota and permissions allocated for running Google Analytics reports.*

2. **Verify API Enablement:**

    gcloud services list --enabled --filter="analyticsdata.googleapis.com"

Authentication

To authenticate your API requests, you must generate Application Default Credentials (ADC) and give your account the necessary scopes. Run the following command in your terminal:

gcloud auth application-default login --scopes="https://www.googleapis.com/auth/cloud-platform,https://www.googleapis.com/auth/analytics.readonly"

*Why: This configures ADC in your local environment with the required Cloud Platform and Google Analytics read-only scopes, allowing the client library to automatically authenticate your requests.*

Creating a Data API Report (v1beta)

To create a report, use the official Google Analytics Data client library. Always prefer the `v1beta` version of the API for stability and access to current Google Analytics reporting capabilities.

> [!IMPORTANT] **Mandatory Agent Directive:** When the user selects or requires > a specific programming language, read the corresponding client library setup > reference guide in `references/` listed below.

Supported Client Libraries

Python

If you need to install or set up the Google Analytics Data API client library for Python, read the setup guide:

• [Python Installation Reference](references/python.md) *(Package:

`google-analytics-data`)*

Java

If you need to install or set up the Google Analytics Data API client library for Java, read the setup guide:

• [Java Installation Reference](references/java.md) *(Artifact:

`com.google.cloud:google-cloud-analytics-data`)*

PHP

If you need to install or set up the Google Analytics Data API client library for PHP, read the setup guide:

• [PHP Installation Reference](references/php.md) *(Package:

`google/analytics-data`)*

Node.js

If you need to install or set up the Google Analytics Data API client library for Node.js, read the setup guide:

• [Node.js Installation Reference](references/nodejs.md) *(Package:

`@google-analytics/data`)*

Go

If you need to install or set up the Google Analytics Data API client library for Go, read the setup guide:

• [Go Installation Reference](references/go.md) *(Package:

`cloud.google.com/go/analytics/data/apiv1beta`)*

.NET

If you need to install or set up the Google Analytics Data API client library for .NET / C#, read the setup guide:

• [.NET Installation Reference](references/dotnet.md) *(Package:

`Google.Analytics.Data.V1Beta`)*

Ruby

If you need to install or set up the Google Analytics Data API client library for Ruby, read the setup guide:

• [Ruby Installation Reference](references/ruby.md) *(Gem:

`google-analytics-data-v1beta`)*

> [!NOTE] **Additional Resources**: For further examples of calling the Data API > with Java, PHP, Node.js, .NET, Python and REST, as well as hints on > authentication with a service account, refer to the official > [Data API Quickstart](https://developers.google.com/analytics/devguides/reporting/data/v1/quickstart).

Python Quick Start

1. **Install the Client Library:**

    pip install google-analytics-data

If `pip` is not available, prompt the user to install `pip` before installing the client library.

2. **Run a Report Request:** Below is a complete example demonstrating how to query a Google Analytics property for active users and sessions grouped by city and date. Replace `YOUR-PROPERTY-ID` with your actual Google Analytics property ID (e.g., `1234567`).

    from google.analytics.data_v1beta import BetaAnalyticsDataClient
    from google.analytics.data_v1beta.types import DateRange, Dimension, Metric, RunReportRequest

    def sample_run_report(property_id: str):
        # Initialize the client.
        # Assumes Application Default Credentials (ADC) are configured in your environment.
        client = BetaAnalyticsDataClient()

        request = RunReportRequest(
            property=f"properties/{property_id}",
            dimensions=[
                Dimension(name="city"),
                Dimension(name="date")
            ],
            metrics=[
                Metric(name="activeUsers"),
                Metric(name="sessions")
            ],
            date_ranges=[
                DateRange(start_date="2026-05-01", end_date="today")
            ],
        )

        response = client.run_report(request)