New users vs active users in Measurement protocol

Question

How does google analytics measure active users vs. new users in measurement protocol .

How does it measure new users? , Is it based on ipaddress ? I send the same cid=555 for all requests.

In website I see that it uses cookies though

Thank you

Answer 1

CID actually stands for client-id = random number generated by Google Analytics when you come to a website for the first time. You can easily grab it (even with GTM) and use it with Measurement Protocol.

If you use client-id that GA can recognize, it will stitch the data together (campaign source/medium) etc. If you use a new one (like '555' you mentioned), it will then see the incoming measurement protocol request as a request from new user.

Be smart though what you use as CID -- it the key that's vital to pairing any information you might already have about your visitors.