Why is my Google Analytics data different in PBI?

[taran42]

I have recently brought Google Analytics data into Power BI. However, the data appears different in PBI that what I am seeing in GA. Does anyone have any idea why this is? I do not have any filters applied - it's just the raw data. Both of the screenshots below are looking at the last 14 days worth of data. GA shows 68 users over that time. PBI has a whopping 782 - a significant difference.

Google Analytics

Power BI

[ReportMaster]

Hi @taran42 as a workaround, maybe you can try to test your connection with a 3rd party tool, which pulls data directly from the GA4 API. I've tried windsor.ai, supemetrics and funnel.io. I stayed with windsor because it is much cheaper so just to let you know other options. In case you wonder, to make the connection first search for the GA4 connector in the data sources list:

After that, just grant access to your GA4 account using your credentials, then on preview and destination page you will see a preview of your GA4 fields:

There just select the fields you need. Finally, just select PBI as your data destination and finally just copy and paste the url on PBI --> Get Data --> Web --> Paste the url

[hackcrr · Accepted solution]

@taran42 

When you query large data sets or apply complex filters, GA may sample the data, causing differences in reported numbers. When the data is pulled into Power BI, it may not be sampled the same way, causing differences in reported metrics.

Even though you mentioned that no filters are applied, make sure that any default segments in GA (such as "All Users") are replicated correctly in Power BI. If GA excludes certain sessions or users (e.g., bots, internal traffic), this may not be reflected in Power BI unless explicitly handled.

GA may have a specific definition of "user" that relates to session deduplication, while the raw counts that Power BI may show do not apply the same logic.

hackcrr

If I have answered your question, please mark my reply as solution and kudos to this post, thank you!

[taran42]

My GA data is not very large. I started it a little over two weeks ago and it has minimal traffic. I don't think sampling would occur (although I do not know what the criteria for sampling might be). Even with that, the difference between the number of users is large. 

Does the sampling happen on the GA side? If so, how do I remove it (if I can)? Also, is there any way to see what formulas/calculations may go into the numbers that GA show in their dashboards?

I want accurate data, and I imagine all users do, so it's odd to me that GA would not display the most accurate data possible.