Google's recent introduction of Gemini to Looker Studio Pro is set to transform how users interact with their data and make decisions in real time. This new feature will level up the way marketers learn from data and uncover actionable insights using AI Assistants.
Before you start chatting with your data, you need the right tools in place. With Launchpad, Google BigQuery, and Looker Studio Pro, the set up process is simpler than you might think.
Getting Started: A Step-By-Step Guide
The first step is getting a few key components set up. These tools work together to ensure that your data is accessible, structured properly, and ready for AI-powered analysis.
What You'll Need
- Google Cloud Console Account (free tier and up)
- Looker Studio Pro Subscription ($9 per user per month)
- Launchpad Subscription ($300 per month)
- Data Sources (free or paid, depending on the source)
Step 1: Set Up Your Google Cloud Console Account
If you don't already have one, create a Google Cloud Console account. While some usage falls under Google's free tier, costs may apply depending on your BigQuery data storage and query volume. You will need to link a billing account with a credit card, even when using the free tier.
Step 2: Subscribe to Looker Studio Pro
Looker Studio Pro is required to access Gemini's conversational AI features, at the cost of $9 per user per month.
Sign Up for Looker Studio Pro here
Step 3: Load Data into Google BigQuery
Next comes getting your data sources into BigQuery. If your data is already in a Google ecosystem (like Google Ads or Google Analytics), you can use native integrations to transfer it over.
Worried about pulling in data from non-Google sources like Facebook Ads, LinkedIn, Salesforce, or TikTok? Don't be — This is where Launchpad makes things easy.
Instead of manually exporting data from various platforms, then importing that data into your reporting dashboard, Launchpad automates the process of transferring data from all of your sources into a centralized BigQuery data warehouse.
Related Article: Webinar Recap - Integrating Non-GA4 Sources into Looker Studio Reports
Step 4: Connect Your Data in Looker Studio Pro
With your data now in BigQuery, it's time to connect it to Looker Studio Pro.
- Access Looker Studio Pro and create a new data source.
- Choose the data table from BigQuery that you want to interact with.
Step 5: Use Conversational Analytics to Chat With Your Data
- Open Looker Studio Pro and go to the Conversational Analytics section.
- Create a new conversation and select the specific table you want Gemini to reference.
Start asking questions related to your data source(s). For example:
- What were my top-performing campaigns last month?
- Which subject line has the highest open rate?
- What are my costs month to date?
- Which regions saw the highest engagement?
The Future of AI Data Interaction
Adapting to AI-powered tools like Gemini isn't just an option, it's a necessity for businesses who want to achieve their goals faster and unlock new opportunities for productivity.
With Looker Studio Pro, BigQuery, and Launchpad working together, you can unlock deeper insights and streamline your reporting processes.
Why Choose Launchpad As Your ETL?
Manually preparing and transferring data can be tedious and inaccurate. Launchpad is a zero-code platform that eliminates the headache by automating your ETL processes, ensuring that your data is always up-to-date and ready for analysis.
With Launchpad, you can spend less time managing data and more time uncovering insights. Try it free for 2 weeks!
