Google Analytics Data Export to BigQuery resulting in null Value in User ID

[aldi]

Hello, we have an application that uses Firebase and Google Analytics and then exports the data to BigQuery. One day we enabled "user-provided data collection" in Google Analytics, which resulted in the User ID becoming null, like the image below.

Before

Before

After

We found that this setting is irreversible. Is there any solution to this problem so we can get the User ID again from Google Analytics?

[JordanHall · Accepted solution]

Unfortunately, there isn't a direct solution to revert this change and regain the User ID for those users who have reset their identifier. However, you can consider the following approaches to mitigate the impact:

1. Encourage Users to Maintain Consistency: Educate users about the importance of maintaining consistency in their identifiers for better analytics tracking. Although you can't control their actions, providing information about the benefits of maintaining the User ID might discourage them from resetting it.

2. Leverage Other Identifiers: Explore other identifiers or attributes that can be used to identify users in your analytics data. For example, you might utilize a combination of device identifiers, login credentials, or custom user properties to track and analyze user behavior.

3. Segmentation and Analysis: Despite the null User ID, you can still analyze and segment your data based on other available dimensions. Utilize custom dimensions, events, or user properties to create segments that reflect specific user behaviors or characteristics. This can provide valuable insights even without the User ID.

4. Review and Adjust Data Models: Review your data models and analytics strategy to adapt to the changes in user identification. Consider refining your data models to accommodate the absence of User IDs and optimize your analysis based on the available data.

5. User Engagement Strategies: Implement strategies to encourage users to opt-in or maintain consistent identifiers. This might involve personalized messaging, incentives, or enhanced user experiences tied to maintaining their identifier.