Google expands gtag.js API functionality to include session number tracking feature
In a series of updates, Google Analytics 4 (GA4) has introduced a new feature - the session number - to provide web developers, digital marketers, and marketing automation platforms with more comprehensive insights into user behavior and engagement patterns.
Beginning from June 13, 2024, GA4 has added Key Event Rate Metrics to User Acquisition and Traffic Acquisition reports, paving the way for the session number's integration. On June 30, 2025, Google further streamlined compliance verification with the addition of Tag Diagnostics to Analytics consent settings hub.
The session number is an incremental integer value that tracks how many sessions a particular user has completed on a website or application. It joins existing parameters such as client_id, session_id, and gclid as supported targets for Google Analytics 4 properties.
Session numbers offer quantitative insights into user return behavior and engagement frequency. They represent a distinct metric, as they are an increasing integer indicating the number of sessions a particular user has had.
The gtag.js API has been updated to include the ability to retrieve session numbers from session cookies. Web developers and digital marketers use the extended gtag.js API, including the enhanced get() method with session number tracking, to implement GA4 for websites and applications.
Solutions like JENTIS also provide flexible GA4 integration options using gtag.js for client-side execution, server-side execution, or hybrid models to suit different organizational needs, including data privacy and quality requirements.
The session number field integrates with existing API versioning and deprecation procedures, ensuring long-term stability for implementations incorporating this functionality. It also follows the same consent requirements and data processing rules as other analytics parameters.
Marketing automation platforms can leverage session numbers for user segmentation and campaign targeting. For instance, businesses can create segments based on user engagement frequency or return behavior to tailor their marketing strategies more effectively.
On August 1, 2025, Google announced the readAnalyticsStorage sandbox API for reliable client and session ID access in custom templates. This API further bolsters the session number feature's integration capabilities.
On August 24, 2024, Google Analytics 4 enhanced session tracking for Ad Manager-linked properties, providing even more detailed insights into user behavior and ad engagement.
Lastly, on May 12, 2024, GA4 published session timeouts and engaged sessions configuration guidance, offering clarity on how to optimally utilise the session number feature for user tracking.
In conclusion, the session number feature in Google Analytics 4 provides valuable insights into user behavior and engagement patterns, enabling businesses to make data-driven decisions and optimise their marketing strategies more effectively.
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