
The Measure Pod
The Measure Pod is your go-to fortnightly podcast hosted by seasoned analytics pros. Join Dara Fitzgerald (Co-Founder at Measurelab) & Matthew Hooson (Head of Engineering at Measurelab) as they dive into the world of data, analytics and measurement—with a side of fun.
Latest episodes

Jul 22, 2022 • 24min
#46 Google Analytics for apps (i.e. Firebase) vs. websites
This week Dan and Dara discuss the differences in setting up and using the data from Google Analytics on apps versus websites. Dan recently built an Android app using Unity, and they both chat through how he found the process of 'tagging' it us with Firebase Analytics/Google Analaytics for Firebase/Google Analytics!
Check out Dan's GA and GTM resources when using Unity for app development on his blog - https://bit.ly/3crM4h8.
This blog from Todd Kerpelman is a funny account of all the confusion around the Firebase/Google/Analytics names, well worth a read! - https://bit.ly/3PHEgGp.
In other news, Dan is HOT and Dara is HOT!
Follow Measurelab on LinkedIn for all the latest podcast episodes, analytics resources and industry news at https://bit.ly/3Ka513y.
Intro music composed by the amazing Confidential (Spotify https://spoti.fi/3JnEdg6).
If you're liking the show, please show some support and leave a rating on Spotify.
If you have some feedback or a suggestion for Dan and Dara, fill in the form https://bit.ly/3MNtPzl to let them know. Alternatively, you can email podcast@measurelab.co.uk to drop them a message.
Full show notes and transcript over at https://bit.ly/3v1wVJI.
The post #46 Google Analytics for apps (i.e. Firebase) vs. websites appeared first on Measurelab.

Jul 15, 2022 • 33min
#45 Forecasting analytics with machine learning (with Richard Fergie)
Richard Fergie, creator of Forecast Forge, joins Dan and Dara to discuss forecasting with machine learning models and the flaws in Google Analytics 4's machine learning approach. Richard shares his rules for using machine learning forecast models and emphasizes the importance of plotting the data first. They also touch on the challenges faced by analytics thinkers, the impact of consent management systems on website traffic, and upcoming features of Forecast Forge. Personal updates include Richard's plans to emigrate and a discussion on the new narrative adventure game, Road 96.

Jul 8, 2022 • 31min
#44 What we’ve learned from teaching analytics
This week Dan and Dara talk about what they've learned training analytics over the last 10 years. They discuss the value of subject matter expert driven training so that you can get real value from live in-person discussions and Q&A, as well as all the things they figured out not being professional teachers!
Shameless but whatevs, here's a link to our GA4 Kickstarter training - https://bit.ly/3RcfwI5. And a link to the in-person GA4 training Dan runs via brightonSEO - https://bit.ly/3amGBra.
In other news, Dan sees (more) love being cemented and Dara goes on the road in the van!
Follow Measurelab on LinkedIn for all the latest podcast episodes, analytics resources and industry news at https://bit.ly/3Ka513y.
Intro music composed by the amazing Confidential (Spotify https://spoti.fi/3JnEdg6).
If you're liking the show, please show some support and leave a rating on Spotify.
If you have some feedback or a suggestion for Dan and Dara, fill in the form https://bit.ly/3MNtPzl to let them know. Alternatively, you can email podcast@measurelab.co.uk to drop them a message.
Full show notes and transcript over at https://bit.ly/3AxwBGy.
The post #44 What we’ve learned from teaching analytics appeared first on Measurelab.

Jul 1, 2022 • 23min
#43 What is data retention in GA?
This week Dan and Dara dive into the world of data retention and the somewhat secret setting that is in Google Analytics 4 and Universal Analytics alike. They discuss what it is, how it works, and what to bear in mind when looking to set up GA4, or export historic data from UA when the time comes.
Google documentation on the data retention setting - https://bit.ly/3yvEZok.
Simo Ahava's four custom dimensions for UA to improve data collection and be able to export all raw data - https://bit.ly/3sEwNPI.
In other news, Dan gets musical and Dara goes all dandy!
Follow Measurelab on LinkedIn for all the latest podcast episodes, analytics resources and industry news at https://bit.ly/3Ka513y.
Intro music composed by the amazing Confidential (Spotify https://spoti.fi/3JnEdg6).
If you're liking the show, please show some support and leave a rating on Spotify.
If you have some feedback or a suggestion for Dan and Dara, fill in the form https://bit.ly/3MNtPzl to let them know. Alternatively, you can email podcast@measurelab.co.uk to drop them a message.
Full show notes and transcript over at https://bit.ly/3I2xdph.
The post #43 What is data retention in GA? appeared first on Measurelab.

Jun 24, 2022 • 33min
#42 Consent Mode and behavioral modelling in GA4
This week Dan and Dara discuss the latest Google Analytics 4 release of behavioural modelling with consent mode - possibly the biggest single update to Google Analytics ever! They discuss what data can be trusted now in GA4, and if this is even a good or bad thing in the grander scheme of things. What do you think?
Dan's blog on "What is Consent Mode in GA4?" - https://bit.ly/3HTrsdu
Consent Mode - https://bit.ly/3NdRqJB
Behavioural modelling for consent mode - https://bit.ly/3OiNatB
Reporting Identity in GA4 - https://bit.ly/3OeVLNW
Google Signals ("...data exported to BigQuery might show more users when compared with reports based on Google signals data.") - https://bit.ly/3NgNqbt
Thresholding in GA4 reports ("Data thresholds are system defined. You can't adjust them.") - https://bit.ly/3QCKGYR
In other news, Dan get's a sore arm and Dara goes all Maverick!
Follow Measurelab on LinkedIn for all the latest podcast episodes, analytics resources and industry news at https://bit.ly/3Ka513y.
Intro music composed by the amazing Confidential (Spotify https://spoti.fi/3JnEdg6).
If you're liking the show, please show some support and leave a rating on Spotify.
If you have some feedback or a suggestion for Dan and Dara, fill in the form https://bit.ly/3MNtPzl to let them know. Alternatively, you can email podcast@measurelab.co.uk to drop them a message.
Full show notes and transcript over at https://bit.ly/3QF1vCd.
The post #42 Consent Mode and behavioral modelling in GA4 appeared first on Measurelab.

Jun 17, 2022 • 29min
#41 Littledata’s GA4 journey (with Edward Upton)
This week Dan and Dara are joined by Edward Upton to talk about how Littledata are approaching GA4 with all of their ecommerce clients across Shopify and BigCommerce. They discuss the GA4 measurement protocol and the nuances that come with moving from the UA version, as well as some of the exciting features that GA4 is bringing to the table for the ecommerce space.
See Littledata's website for more on who they are and what they do with GA4 on Shopify and BigCommerce at https://bit.ly/3NWuAY6.
Find Ed over on LinkedIn at https://bit.ly/3mX1FaA.
In other news, Dan witnesses a lot of love, Dara sees some sailors and Ed gets a green thumb!
Follow Measurelab on LinkedIn for all the latest podcast episodes, analytics resources and industry news at https://bit.ly/3Ka513y.
Intro music composed by the amazing Confidential (Spotify https://spoti.fi/3JnEdg6).
If you're liking the show, please show some support and leave a rating on Spotify.
If you have some feedback or a suggestion for Dan and Dara, fill in the form https://bit.ly/3MNtPzl to let them know. Alternatively, you can email podcast@measurelab.co.uk to drop them a message.
Full show notes and transcript over at https://bit.ly/3xZWBsr.
The post #41 Littledata’s GA4 journey (with Edward Upton) appeared first on Measurelab.

May 27, 2022 • 31min
#40 What is the modern data stack? (with Mark Rittman)
This week Dan and Dara are joined by Mark Rittman to talk about the 'modern data stack' and how the danger with all analytics implementations is the ‘so what’ factor. They also touch on how the changes in Google Analytics 4 are changing things for the modern data stack, and what type of company would truly benefit from a fully-fledged setup.
Check out Rittman Analytics - agile analytics consulting for the modern data stack - https://bit.ly/3LTE9oV.
Mark's Medium article on his Rittman Analytics' modern data stack setup called "How Rittman Analytics does Analytics Part 2 : Building our Modern Data Stack using dbt, Google BigQuery, Looker, Segment and Rudderstack." - https://bit.ly/3wRFOXO.
Check out Mark's DJing music on SoundCloud - https://bit.ly/3PIYMap.
In other news, Dan MeasureCamps, Dara swims and Mark cycles and makes music!
This is the last episode in this run, 40 episodes can you believe it?! See you all in a few weeks after a short break!
Check out on LinkedIn:
- Mark - https://bit.ly/3PLkdI0
- Dan - https://bit.ly/3JQKHEb
- Dara - https://bit.ly/3vzV0bO
- Measurelab - https://bit.ly/3Ka513y
Music from Confidential, check out more of their lofi beats on Spotify at https://spoti.fi/3JnEdg6 and on Instagram at https://bit.ly/3u3skWp.
Please leave a rating and review in the places one leaves ratings and reviews. If you want to join Dan and Dara on the podcast and talk about something in the analytics industry you have an opinion about (or just want to suggest a topic for them to chit-chat about), email podcast@measurelab.co.uk or find them on LinkedIn and drop them a message.
Full show notes and transcript over at https://bit.ly/3LXcMKt.
The post #40 What is the modern data stack? (with Mark Rittman) appeared first on Measurelab.

May 20, 2022 • 30min
#39 Product analytics and CRAP Talks (with Bhavik Patel)
This week Dan and Dara are joined by Bhavik Patel to talk about the differences and similarities between product and marketing analytics, CRAP Talks, and the concept of 'analytical debt'.
Find Bhav on his platform of choice - Twitter at https://bit.ly/3PntANX.
Check out the blog Bhav wrote on "Data Privacy is the Latest Natural Resource in Tech" on the CRAP Medium on https://bit.ly/3sJM41d.
Visit the CRAP Talks website for info on the next event and links to their Slack community (it's nice I promise!) - https://bit.ly/3sMEhjh.
Check out Bhav's artwork Instagram - https://bit.ly/38w43BF.
In other news, Dan gets crafty, Dara watches Netflix and Bhav writes and paints!
Check out on LinkedIn:
- Bhav - https://bit.ly/39xM1yM
- Dan - https://bit.ly/3JQKHEb
- Dara - https://bit.ly/3vzV0bO
- Measurelab - https://bit.ly/3Ka513y
Music from Confidential, check out more of their lofi beats on Spotify at https://spoti.fi/3JnEdg6 and on Instagram at https://bit.ly/3u3skWp.
Please leave a rating and review in the places one leaves ratings and reviews. If you want to join Dan and Dara on the podcast and talk about something in the analytics industry you have an opinion about (or just want to suggest a topic for them to chit-chat about), email podcast@measurelab.co.uk or find them on LinkedIn and drop them a message.
Full show notes and transcript over at https://bit.ly/3lnSTBE.
The post #39 Product analytics and CRAP Talks (with Bhavik Patel) appeared first on Measurelab.

May 13, 2022 • 22min
#38 How do you measure the return on analytics?
This week Dan and Dara discuss a listener submitted topic on how to measure the return on analytics. After arguing about the flawed premise of the quest, they explore different ways that analytics specialists and analysts can measure a tangible return for their hard work.
The key ways that were discussed to measure the impact (or return if you will...) of analytics is via:
- Optimising marketing campaign ROAS
- Improving website/app CVR via testing and CRO programs
- Product optimisation to reduce churn or improve engagement and thus LTV
- Time saving via automation and trusting the data
- Impartiality meaning that you can recommend the best course of action, even if it's not the most popular
- Damage control - minimising negative impact when it's inevitable (i.e. COVID-19)
In other news, Dan hosts and Dara parties!
Check out on LinkedIn:
- Dan - https://bit.ly/3JQKHEb
- Dara - https://bit.ly/3vzV0bO
- Measurelab - https://bit.ly/3Ka513y
Music from Confidential, check out more of their lofi beats on Spotify at https://spoti.fi/3JnEdg6 and on Instagram at https://bit.ly/3u3skWp.
Please leave a rating and review in the places one leaves ratings and reviews. If you want to join Dan and Dara on the podcast and talk about something in the analytics industry you have an opinion about (or just want to suggest a topic for them to chit-chat about), email podcast@measurelab.co.uk or find them on LinkedIn and drop them a message.
Full show notes and transcript over at https://bit.ly/.
The post #38 How do you measure the return on analytics? appeared first on Measurelab.

6 snips
May 6, 2022 • 33min
#37 How attribution works in Google Analytics 3 and 4
This week Dan and Dara chat through how attribution works in Universal Analytics and Google Analytics 4, and the differences between them. They discuss the nuances and pain-points they have come up against, and what to look out for whenever using any of the built-in models.
The blog post from Dan they mentioned on how the Universal Analytics Campaign Timeout works is at https://bit.ly/3LRdolG.
Here's a good resource on how to build various attribution models using the GA4 BigQuery export data from Krisjan Oldekamp at Stacktonic - https://bit.ly/3sdfuVa.
In other news, Dan watches snooker and Dara goes full Downton!
Check out on LinkedIn:
- Dan - https://bit.ly/3JQKHEb
- Dara - https://bit.ly/3vzV0bO
- Measurelab - https://bit.ly/3Ka513y
Music from Confidential, check out more of their lofi beats on Spotify at https://spoti.fi/3JnEdg6 and on Instagram at https://bit.ly/3u3skWp.
Please leave a rating and review in the places one leaves ratings and reviews. If you want to join Dan and Dara on the podcast and talk about something in the analytics industry you have an opinion about (or just want to suggest a topic for them to chit-chat about), email podcast@measurelab.co.uk or find them on LinkedIn and drop them a message.
Full show notes and transcript over at https://bit.ly/3vKimuT.
The post #37 How attribution works in Google Analytics 3 and 4 appeared first on Measurelab.