ga4-explore-fqdn-report

name: ga4-explore-fqdn-report description: Build a GA4 Explore report grouped by FQDN/Hostname in the Google Analytics UI, including the UI-specific Hostname dimension quirks found in Explore. version: 1.0.0 author: Hermes Agent license: MIT

GA4 Explore FQDN Report

Use this when the user wants a Google Analytics 4 Explore report grouped by FQDN / host name from the browser UI.

When to use

• User gives a GA4 Explore or property URL and asks for FQDN-based aggregation
• Need to create or edit a browser-side Explore report instead of using an API/export pipeline
• Need a reusable hostname table such as Active users / Event count by hostname

Key finding

In GA4 Explore, searching for host, host name, or even hostname from the dimension picker can be misleading:

• host name may return no results
• there can be two Hostname entries
• one can be a disabled Custom dimension entry
• the usable one is under Page / screen -> Hostname

Do not assume the first visible Hostname result is the correct selectable dimension.

Proven workflow

1. Open the target GA4 Explore/property URL in a signed-in browser session.
2. Start a new Free form exploration unless the user wants an existing one edited.
3. In Dimensions, add Hostname.
   • If search is flaky, search page location or hostname.
   • Confirm the selectable result under Page / screen.
   • Ignore or avoid the disabled Custom -> Hostname entry.
4. In Rows, keep only Hostname.
   • Remove starter dimensions like City if they were auto-added.
5. In Columns, remove starter dimensions like Device category so the result is a pure FQDN aggregate table.
6. In Values, keep or add the metrics the user likely wants:
   • Active users
   • optionally Event count
   • add others only if requested
7. Rename the exploration and tab clearly, e.g.:
   • Exploration: FQDN Aggregate Report
   • Tab: FQDN Active Users
8. Wait for the table to reload and verify that rows look like real FQDNs, e.g. foo.example.com.
9. Report back with:
   • the saved Explore URL
   • date range used
   • dimensions/metrics configured
   • top sample rows and totals

Verification checklist

• Table row header is Hostname
• No unwanted row dimension such as City remains
• No unwanted column split such as Device category remains
• Table entries are actual hostnames/FQDNs
• Metrics are visible and totals populated
• Final URL is the saved /edit/... exploration link

Pitfalls

• The UI can reopen picker dialogs or menus unexpectedly after confirm; if so, explicitly close/cancel them and continue.
• Accessibility snapshots may show duplicate Hostname items; check whether the chosen one came from Page / screen.
• If selecting by normal click fails, DOM/script-assisted clicking may be needed for the checkbox in the picker.
• Searching host name can fail even though Hostname exists.

Default interpretation

If the user only says FQDN 기준 집계, default to:

• recent 28 days
• Free form table
• row = Hostname
• metrics = Active users + Event count
• no column breakdown

Good final response shape

• 완료했습니다.
• exploration name / tab name
• saved GA URL
• date range
• configured dimensions and metrics
• top 5 to 10 hostnames with metric samples
• totals