The issue is that we connected the report to a Google Analytics account. In the report, besides several charts and metrics, there are three specific metrics that return an error whenever we apply a campaign filter. The exact metrics are: views, new users, and average session duration. These metrics display an error message when filtered by campaign. I would like your assistance in understanding why this happens. Thank you in advance.
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This is usually because GA4 metrics don’t all have the same level.
Video Stream Views and Average Session Length are session-based metrics.
New users is a user-based metric.
When you use a campaign filter (acquisition level) with another level, Looker Studio sometimes can’t join them within the different levels and shows an error instead of giving incomplete data.
You can check this through the GA4 dimensions and metrics level guide.
Workarounds:
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Level based split charts - when filtering on campaign, split your sessions to keep session metrics separate from user metrics.
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Match metrics using custom fields or BigQuery exports at the same detail (e.g., pre-aggregating by campaign).
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For long-term safety, we suggest syncing GA4 raw event data into BigQuery using an ETL tool (Fivetran, Airbyte, Windsor.ai). Once they are in BigQuery you can clearly define “new users”, “views” and campaign tracking without the risk of connector level errors.
In short: It is not a bug in Looker Studio, it is just a level mismatch. BigQuery setup usually fixes this and gives you more freedom in building campaign-level reporting.