Skip to main content

GTM + GA4: How to Track Videos on a Website

Youtube video tracking with GTM trigger and GA4


1.

  1. Disable Video Engagement tracking features in Enhanced Measurement.
    Otherwise, there's a high risk of occasional duplicate data.

    How to disable Video Engagement tracking in GA4:
    GA4 Admin > Data Streams > Gear Icon > disable Video Engagement tracking. 
    Screenshot 2022-05-30 at 12.36.59 PM.png


  2. 2.  GTM > Create a Youtube Video trigger
    Screenshot 2022-05-30 at 12.39.10 PM.png
    Put the details as you see it above and then hit > SAVE


  3. 3. GTM > Enable built-in video variables
    GTM > Variables > Configure > Select all variables that refer to videos
    Screenshot 2022-05-30 at 12.41.30 PM.png

  4. 4. GTM > Create a GA4 tag
    GTM >Tags > New > GA4 Event Tag as you see it below
    Screenshot 2022-05-30 at 12.43.18 PM.png
    Don't forget to SAVE


  5. 5. Test the setup in debug view


    5.1

    1. Go to your website and find a page that contains a Youtube player, for example https://www.eskimi.com/about-us
      Then go back to GTM, refresh, select Preview and paste the link of the website.
      Choose CONNECT.

      Then, you will see that a new tab will open. Activate the video (in order to trigger the events that we just created).
      Screenshot 2022-05-30 at 12.47.42 PM.png


      Go back to GTM and see that the tag is fired :D 
      Screenshot 2022-05-30 at 12.47.56 PM.png

      5.2

    2. GA4 > Debug view
      GA4 > Configure > DebugView > see the events

      Also, don't forget to add the events in the Custom Dimensions [in order to be able to add these dimensions into your reports (Explorations)]
      Screenshot 2022-05-30 at 12.52.41 PM.png


See how to make a Custom Report for Video Engagement Metrics here.