PSA: Google Analytics install event format change

[Janelle Lee]

If you don’t have Google Analytics enabled for your extension in the Chrome Web Store, or you don’t rely on the “/track_install” page view events in Google Analytics, you can stop reading now.

Hi all,

Historically, we have reported install events to Google Analytics as page view events with the “/track_install” path prefix. This was not ideal since install events are not page views. As part of the move to Google Analytics 4, we recently introduced a new custom event named “install” that will replace the “/track_install” page view events going forward. We have been sending this event since June 2023.

When the new Chrome Web Store is fully launched, you will stop seeing  “/track_install” page events in the GA property attached to your extension. While it is in preview, you may see reduced page views since they will not be sent by users who have opted-in. You can view the new install event counts at Reports > Engagement > Events.

We hope that this will be a positive change and welcome any feedback.

Best regards,

Janelle on behalf of the Chrome Web Store team