---
description: "Analyze Dalton experiment data in Google Analytics by tracking Control vs Optimized traffic events for deeper attribution."
---

# Analyze Experiment Data in Google Analytics

Dalton sends two types of events to Google Analytics based on your traffic split:
- **Control**: 20% unchanged traffic (default)
- **Optimized**: 80% Dalton-optimized traffic (default)

The percentage of traffic flowing to control variants can be changed in the settings.

## Verify Events Are Being Received

Before creating audiences, confirm GA4 is actually receiving Dalton events.

1. Open the **Realtime overview** report in GA4.
2. Look for the `dalton` event in the event count card.
3. Click the `dalton` event — you should see the `type` parameter with values `control` and `optimized`.

If you don't see the `dalton` event or the `type` parameter, your audiences will stay empty. See the [FAQ](#faq) below for troubleshooting.

## Setup Dalton Audiences

Create two audiences in GA4 to compare experiment results.

### Step 1: Create New Audience

Navigate to **Settings → Audiences → New Audience**

![Create new audience](/analytics/new_audience.png)

### Step 2: Configure Custom Audience

1. Click **Create a custom audience**
2. Select **Events** as source
3. Choose **dalton** event

![Configure custom audience](/analytics/new_audience_2.png)

### Step 3: Set Audience Conditions

Create two audiences using the `type` dimension:
- One where `type = 'optimized'`
- One where `type = 'control'`

![Set audience conditions](/analytics/new_audience_3.png)

## Using Dalton Audiences

Apply your audiences to any GA4 report to compare performance.

### Add Comparison

In any report (e.g., Landing Pages), click **Add Comparison** at the top.

![Add comparison](/analytics/comparison_1.png)

Create comparison groups based on **Audience Name**.

![Create comparison groups](/analytics/comparison_2.png)

## FAQ

### What if my audiences stay empty?

Empty audiences almost always mean GA4 isn't receiving `dalton` events. Check the **Realtime overview** report — if no `dalton` event appears there, the audience has nothing to populate from.

Common causes:
- The Dalton script isn't installed on the pages you're testing, or hasn't loaded yet.
- Your GA4 Measurement ID isn't configured in Dalton settings.
- A consent banner is blocking analytics before the user accepts.
- Ad blockers are blocking GA4 in your own testing session — try an incognito window without extensions.

### Why don't I see the `type` parameter when clicking the event?

If the `dalton` event shows up but the `type` parameter is missing, the event is firing but parameters aren't being passed through. Make sure your GA4 property is up to date and that no custom GTM configuration is stripping event parameters.

### How long until audiences populate?

New GA4 audiences only include users who match *after* the audience was created — they don't backfill. Expect a few hours before meaningful numbers appear, and up to 24–48 hours for the audience to be usable in comparisons.

### Can I use `type` as a dimension instead of creating audiences?

Yes. You can register `type` as a custom dimension in GA4 (**Admin → Custom definitions**) and break down any report by it directly, without creating audiences. Audiences are still useful for comparisons across multiple reports.