Google Analytics 4 and Joomla 2.5.x

[JudyAnn]

I maintain an old Joomla 2.5 website which uses Google Analytics that is coded in a module for the site. While there is a module that can be added to Joomla 3.x or 4.x sites, I cannot find any for the old 2.5 sites.

I am assuming it uses Universal Analytics but I cannot sure.

​var _gaq = _gaq || [];
_gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-99999999-1']);
_gaq.push(['_trackPageview']);
(function() {
var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true;
ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js';
var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s);
})();

I realize I need to get a new Google Analytics 4 code that starts with G- but I don't know if there are any other properties or variables needed for it to work with Joomla 2.5?

[AMurray]

You have mentioned the 'old' 2.5 site, and therefore you shouldn't really be using a nine-year old CMS to start with (which is why you can't find extensions for it).

The code should be inserted into the template's index.php file. There no "harm" in this since J 2.5 won't have any updates that might overwrite the code.

My advice, work towards getting your site updated to 3.10 at minimum which would have available plugins to help with inserting the GA code.

[JudyAnn]

You have mentioned the 'old' 2.5 site, and therefore you shouldn't really be using a nine-year old CMS to start with (which is why you can't find extensions for it).

The code should be inserted into the template's index.php file. There no "harm" in this since J 2.5 won't have any updates that might overwrite the code.

My advice, work towards getting your site updated to 3.10 at minimum which would have available plugins to help with inserting the GA code.

I know the site needs updating and have been pushing for it for years (5+). They (the customer) actually had a contract signed to have it re-done, but then the owner of the company with the contract died. I swear this site is cursed.

The management I work with now is setting up for the roll-over to GA4 for all of our sites. So hopefully someone more experienced than I can guide me with it.