Do you also want to avoid duplicate tag fires and losing accurate data after a page reload? Do you know of any tool that can do this job?
Yes, we have one tool that can prevent this pitfall and keep your tracking clean and precise.
Let’s get along and see the magic of Google Tag Manager in tracking user interaction.
At the end of this blog, you will understand the methods for using GTM to prevent tags from firing repeatedly during a page reload.
Get in touch to learn about Analytico’s Digital Analytics Audit services or GA4 audit services.
What Are Tags and How Do They Work in GTM?
Tags in GTM are snippets of code or tracking scripts designed to collect data about user actions on a website. These tags are triggered by specific actions or conditions, such as page views, button clicks, or form submissions.
Once a tag is activated, it sends data to platforms like Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, or other third-party tools.
Tags operate based on triggers, which define the conditions for when a tag should fire.
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Example! A Page View Trigger fires tags when a user lands on a specific URL. A Click Trigger activates when users click on a specified element. A Form Submission Trigger fires when users submit a form. |
Understanding Tag Firing After a Page Reload
When a page reloads, GTM evaluates its triggers again, causing tags to re-fire under certain circumstances.
This behavior can occur in various scenarios:
- Form Resubmissions:
After a form is submitted, a page reload might re-trigger the submission tag.
- Single-Page Applications (SPAs):
In SPAs, navigation occurs without full page reloads, leading to repeated firing of history or state-change triggers.
- Misconfigured Triggers:
Tags configured to fire on all page views or all events may lack the logic to prevent re-firing after reloads.
Why Is Tag Re-firing After Page Reloads a Problem?
Duplicate Data Collection:
Tags firing multiple times may inflate event counts, leading to over-reported metrics like page views, button clicks, or purchases.
Skewed KPIs:
Metrics such as conversion rates or form submission rates can become unreliable.
Increased Costs:
Some advertising platforms charge based on event data (e.g., Facebook Pixel), leading to unnecessary expenses.
Complex Debugging:
Diagnosing data inconsistencies caused by duplicate tags can consume significant time and resources.
Wasted Bandwidth:
Duplicate requests can strain server resources and negatively impact website performance.
Techniques to Prevent Tags from Firing After a Page Reload
1. Use Custom Variables
Custom variables can help track whether a tag has already fired during a session:
Session Storage Variable:
Use JavaScript to store a flag in session storage.
Before firing a tag, check whether the flag exists. If it does, skip firing.
Steps:
Create a custom HTML tag to set a session storage flag.
Use a trigger condition that checks for this flag.
If the flag exists, prevent the tag from firing.
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Example JavaScript Code! if (!sessionStorage.getItem(‘tagFired’)) { sessionStorage.setItem(‘tagFired’, ‘true’); // Tag firing logic here } |
2. Modify Trigger Conditions
Enhance trigger configurations to restrict tag firing on reloads:
Add conditions such as specific URL parameters or custom event attributes.
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Example! Set a condition to fire only when ?submitted=true is present in the URL. |
3. Implement Timers or Delays
Timers can ensure tags only fire after a certain period, avoiding immediate execution after a reload.
Use the Timer Trigger in GTM to delay tag execution.
Set the timer to allow enough time for new user actions before firing.
4. Limit Event Listener Scope
For tags tied to user actions like button clicks: Use { once: true } in JavaScript event listeners to ensure the tag fires only once during a session.
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Example! document.querySelector(‘button’).addEventListener(‘click’, function() { // Tag firing logic }, { once: true }); |
5. Configure Tags for Single-Page Applications (SPAs)
In SPAs, the History Change Trigger in GTM can prevent repeated firing:
Monitor URL changes without full page reloads.
Pair this trigger with custom variables to identify unique states and prevent duplicate firings.
Step-by-Step Guide: Preventing Tag Firing on Page Reload
Identify the Problem Tags
Use GTM’s Preview Mode to track which tags fire on reload.
Note their triggers and firing conditions.
Implement Custom Variables
Create variables like {{ReloadState}} to track reload-specific conditions.
Modify trigger conditions to include these variables.
Adjust Trigger Settings
Restrict triggers to fire only once per session or when specific conditions are met.
Debug and Test
Use GTM Preview Mode and browser developer tools to ensure tags fire only when intended.
Monitor behavior across different browsers and user scenarios.
Publish Changes
Once tested, publish the updated container.
Tools for Debugging and Verification
- GTM Preview Mode
Simulate tag firing behavior in real time.
Identify unnecessary or duplicate firings caused by page reloads.
- Tag Assistant
Chrome extension for tracking GTM and Google Analytics activity.
Verify that tags are firing only under desired conditions.
- Developer Tools
Use browser developer tools to inspect network requests and console logs.
Monitor storage values or custom variables during reloads.
Common Scenarios and Solutions
Form Submission Triggers
Problem: Tags fire again after a form submission when the page reloads.
Solution: Use a hidden form field or session storage to track the submission status.
Add a condition to the trigger to check this value.
Page View Triggers
Problem: Tags configured for all page views fire on reloads.
Solution: Limit triggers to fire only on unique pages or with specific URL parameters.
Custom Event Triggers
Problem: Tags tied to custom events fire multiple times.
Solution: Include event-specific logic in the trigger to ensure it executes only once.
Best Practices to Prevent Tag Firing on Reloads
- Define Clear Trigger Logic
Avoid overly broad triggers, such as “All Pages,” and instead specify conditions to narrow their scope. Use filters or URL parameters to ensure tags fire only for relevant events or interactions.
- Use Custom Variables
Implement session storage or cookies to track whether a tag has already fired during a session. This helps prevent duplicate tag activations on reloads or revisits.
- Test Extensively
Simulate real-world scenarios, including page reloads and navigation, to identify duplicate firing issues. Use GTM’s Preview Mode and browser developer tools to verify tag behavior under different conditions.
- Document Configurations
Maintain clear documentation of tag setups, triggers, and custom variables for easy troubleshooting. Proper records simplify updates and prevent misconfigurations.
- Monitor Analytics Data
Regularly review analytics metrics to detect anomalies caused by duplicate or misfiring tags. Real-time reporting tools can help spot issues promptly and prevent data inaccuracies.
Conclusion
Preventing tags from firing after a page reload is essential for maintaining accurate analytics data.
By understanding the underlying causes and implementing solutions like custom variables, trigger adjustments, and debugging tools, you can ensure reliable tracking for your website.
Following these best practices will save time, reduce costs, and improve data quality.
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