There are two methods to achieve tracking PDF downloads on your website using Google Analytics. The first requires access to your website and amending the LINKS. The second and best method is to set up Event Tracking in Google Analytics Dashboard so the PDF is tracked as a page view.
- Amending the Link To A PDF
Access the web page with the download link for your PDF file and amend the A HREF command to include the ONCLICK instruction below highlighted in RED. Note it is always good practice to open a PDF in a New Window, this what the target=”_blank” command does.
- Configuring Tracking As A Page View
First you need to sign up for GOOGLE TAG MANAGER at https://www.google.com/analytics/tag-manager/
You will receive a GOOGLE TAG MANAGER CODE to install in the BODY of the web page.
Now select TRIGGERS from the left hand menu and click NEW to create the TRIGGER
Select CLICK
Now configure the CLICK for JUST TAGS with a MAX WAIT of 2000 milliseconds and CONTINUE
We now configure the TRIGGER just for PDF downloads
Select PAGE URL > select matches REGEx (Ignorecase) > add \.pdf
Then Continue
We now need to Fire this on ALL CLICKS
Create the Trigger & Save It
Now we need to create the TAG to record this as a Virtual Pageview
Select TAGS from the left hand menu and NEW
Now select GOOGLE ANALYTICS and select it to UNIVERSAL and continue
Now we configure the TAG
Enter your Google Tracking ID and select PAGE VIEWS and click on MORE SETTINGS, then select Fields to Set
Now ADD FIELD
Enter Field Name as page and the value as {{click URL}} then continue.
Now ensure you set the FIRE ON to CLICK and in the pop up box Tick PDFs and Save
You now have set the TAG click on Create TAG
Label it and SAVE
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