Recent GA4 Spam Attacks are Built Different: What You Need to Know

If you want to maintain accurate analytics data and make informed decisions (you do), you have to be aware of spambots that may threaten your data. Recently, websites utilizing Google Analytics 4 (GA4) have been experiencing a surge in spam attacks originating mostly from Poland. Spam attacks like these can hinder your website’s performance and throw a wrench in your analytics, but what are they and why do they happen? When it comes to this latest round of spam, we’re still waiting for answers. 

Nature of the Attacks

The GA4 spam attacks from Poland manifest as a sudden influx of referral traffic to websites. Unlike traditional spam, this traffic appears as short sessions from various domains, occurring at regular intervals throughout the day. Despite not affecting the website itself, these attacks skew GA4 metrics, leading to misleading data for site owners.

What sets these GA4 spam attacks apart is their level of sophistication. Unlike traditional referral spam, which often results in zero engagement (high bounce rates), recent GA4 spam mimics real user behavior, making it harder to detect. Additionally, while traditional spam is typically associated with suspicious domains, GA4 spam may originate from seemingly legitimate sources, further complicating detection efforts.

“While spambot attacks aren’t a new thing, these recent attacks are different. They are larger and are happening more often than anything we’ve seen before. It’s important to be aware of this so you can take the steps to protect your data’s integrity and accuracy.”
-Brylee Ellsworth, Black Raven

There are a couple other details that make these attacks mysterious. For one, the scale is unprecedented. If you have a website, there’s a good chance it has already been hit with GA4 spam this year. In the past, it was more clear why spam bots were deployed, usually to increase referral traffic to other sites. This time, the attackers’ motives aren’t so clear and Google, usually fast to respond, has remained silent.

Google’s Response and Possible Solutions

Despite user complaints, Google has yet to officially address this issue, leaving website owners to fend for themselves. However, there are several proactive measures that can be taken to mitigate the impact of GA4 spam attacks. Some users have attempted to filter out unwanted referrals, but this will only reclassify spam as “direct” traffic. Deleting and re-establishing tags is not recommended due to data loss and temporary effectiveness. Alternatively, blocking domains via Google Tag Manager presents a potential solution to prevent spam from reaching GA4 tags.

Stay Informed.

The recent GA4 spam attacks from Poland represent a significant challenge for website owners relying on Google Analytics for insights (so, basically everyone). As a trusted partner in digital marketing, Black Raven AFC emphasizes the importance of vigilance and proactive measures in addressing these attacks. By staying informed and implementing robust strategies, website owners can take steps to safeguard their analytics data and maintain accurate insights to drive business growth.