Update time: January 5, 2025
This article introduces Enhanced Client ID (ECID) in GA4, explaining its purpose, format, and how it differs from the standard Client ID.
What is Enhanced Client ID？
Enhanced Client ID, abbreviated as ecid. You can see it in the preview of GTM:
Enhanced Client ID is generated based on the Client ID and other identifiers (such as User ID, device information, etc.). It adds additional information to better identify users in multiple environments.
It is used to improve and enhance the tracking of user identities. Its main function is to help improve the accuracy of user tracking across devices and platforms.
Note: Enhanced Client ID is session-level. When a new session is opened, a new Enhanced Client ID will be generated.
Enhanced Client ID Format
ECID is stored as a string of numbers in the cookie ga<container ID>. If not generated, it may show as 0 in the preview. The structure is as follows:
The detailed explanation is as follows:
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
| GS | Fixed identifier (Google Session). |
| 2 | Analysis version (commonly 1 or 2). |
| 1 | Domain level (almost always 1). |
| 1673933110 | Session ID (current session start time). |
| 12 | Session count for the user. |
| 0 | Engagement session flag (1 = engaged, 0 = not engaged). |
| 1673933110 | Current Timestamp |
| 60 | Countdown，60-second countdown, cookie and user data matching/syncing when Google Signals is enabled |
| 0 | User-ID status (1 = logged in with User-ID set). |
| 0 | Enhanced Client Id, abbreviated as ecid, is a string of numbers that only has value when tracked on the server side tracking or enable 「User-ID and user-provided data collection」 |
| riYSmWx3uWvuJEDkCvwJCnvET7QcvFq7kg | This field is available when Google signal data collection is enabled and indicates the Google signal or the associated ID of the Google signal. |
Read More：GA4 Cookie Values Explained
How to enable Enhanced Client ID
There are two situations that will generate Enhanced Client ID:
- One way is to turn on 「User-ID and user-provided data collection」， In GA4, click 「Admin」—— 「Property Settings」—— -「Data collection and modification」——「Data collection」and check 「User-ID and user-provided data collection」.
- One is to use GTM server-side deployment
You can see it in Cookie _ga_<container ID>:
Client ID VS Enhanced Client ID
|
Operation
|
Enhanced Client ID
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Definition
|
Unique identifier in GA4 used to identify users on the same device or browser.
|
An improved identifier in GA4 for identifying users across devices and platforms.
|
|
Generation method
|
GA4 generates a unique client ID for each device and browser when a user visits a website.
|
It identifies users based on the standard Client ID (client_id) and, if available, the user’s User ID (user_id).
|
|
Storage Location
|
Stored in the Cookie _ga.
|
Stored in the Cookie _ga_<container ID>.
|
|
Purpose
|
Used to track user behavior within a browser tab.
|
Improve and enhance the tracking of user identities
|
Summary
Enhanced Client ID is a powerful addition to GA4’s tracking capabilities, bridging standard Client ID and User ID to provide more accurate, cross-device user insights.
Read More：
- In-depth Understanding Session in Google Analytics 4
- Explanation of Cookie Values Used by Google Analytics 4
- Learn more about Client ID in GA4 (CST & SST)
- How to Get Client ID to Variable in GTM？
