How should we connect? GTM vs. GA4

  • Resolved Ben

    (@cyberliciousben)


    1 year, 5 months ago

    Hi,

    We are finally making the switch to using Google Tag Manager. If we set it up through Site Kit, how does that impact the Google Analytics connection specifically GA4 with its code inserts?

    In Settings > Analytics, I can see the GA4 code “Snippet is inserted.”

    In Settings > Tag Manager, I can see it connected to the Web Container ID and it created one for AMP which is fine. I’ll play with the AMP one later…

    Now, what is Site Kit going to do?

    I can see that it dropped both tags:
    <!– Google Analytics snippet added by Site Kit –>
    <!– Google Tag Manager snippet added by Site Kit –>

    The GA tag is pointing to our GA4 property (gtag(“config”, “G-XXXXXX”);), but we’ll want GTM to control that moving forward. If I were to guess, I would disconnect Google Analytics from Site Kit and only have GTM connected. Can someone please confirm Site Kit’s behavior and what we should do?

    • This topic was modified 1 year, 5 months ago by Ben.
    • This topic was modified 1 year, 5 months ago by Ben. Reason: Added more information
    • This topic was modified 1 year, 5 months ago by Ben.
    • This topic was modified 1 year, 5 months ago by Ben.
Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)
  • Thread Starter Ben

    (@cyberliciousben)

    I found this: https://www.ads-software.com/support/topic/should-i-connect-sitekit-to-google-tag-manager-and-analytics-in-the-same-time/.

    Ok, so, Site Kit is only inserting this code:

    gtag(“config”, “G-XXXXXX”);

    …because GTM’s container is not configured for GA4 Configuration yet. When we configure GTM’s container for the GA4 configuration tag, Site Kit should remove that line for Google Analytics, correct? We will soon find out.

    Disclaimer: This support submission has now turned into my thinking out loud. LOL

    Plugin Support James Osborne

    (@jamesosborne)

    Thanks for reaching out @cyberliciousben. You can use Site Kit to insert your GA4 snippet, as you have done, while also keeping your Tag Manager container snippet placed on your site. It’s not a problem to have both placed.

    If you have a GA4 tag contained within your Tag Manager container you can modify the “Place Google Analytics 4 code” option if you wish, as Site Kit can display data based on this Tag Manager GA4 property. Just ensure that you have connected the Analytics module within Site Kit to the same GA4 property added via Tag Manager.

    So to summarize, you can have a GA4 snippet added via Site Kit if you wish, while also having a GA4 tag added within your Tag Manager container. If using Tag Manager, you can disable the placement of Site Kit’s GA4 snippet, while still viewing GA4 data within the Site Kit dashboard.

    Let me know if you have any further questions with the above.

    Thread Starter Ben

    (@cyberliciousben)

    Ok, thanks. Just trying to make sure we’re not going to duplicate data.

    Plugin Support James Osborne

    (@jamesosborne)

    That makes sense. In that case you’re correct to ask. Duplicate tracking can take place if you use Site Kit to insert your snippet and if there is already a GA4 tag placed via Tag Manager.

    Note also that Site Kit does warn you when an existing tag is identified,. Regardless, you can keep the Analytics module connected within Site Kit while not allowing the plugin to insert a snippet for you.

    I’ll close this support topic, however, do ask if you have any further questions on this. Best of luck!

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)
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