Google Tag Manager Tutorial for Beginners (2024) with New Google Tag

This paragraph introduces Google Tag Manager (GTM) as an essential tool for digital marketers and analysts looking to implement marketing and analytics tracking codes, such as Google Analytics, more efficiently. It discusses the traditional challenges of relying on developers for adding tracking codes and highlights GTM's ability to streamline this process. The video aims to guide viewers on setting up GTM and Google Analytics 4, noting the constant changes in these platforms and providing updates in the video description for viewers who may encounter differences.

This section delves into what Google Tag Manager is and its benefits. It uses an example to illustrate how GTM simplifies the process of managing tracking codes, reducing dependence on developers and speeding up the implementation of analytics tools. The paragraph outlines the advantages of using GTM, such as centralized storage of tracking codes, decreased reliance on developers, and the ability to add tracking codes more rapidly. It also mentions the availability of learning resources and support communities for GTM users.

This paragraph provides a step-by-step guide on how to get started with Google Tag Manager. It explains the process of creating an account and a container within GTM, highlighting the difference between the two. The paragraph also discusses the interface of GTM, including its various components such as tags, triggers, and variables, and how they can be organized and managed. Additionally, it touches on the importance of testing changes before publishing them and the ability to revert to previous versions if needed.

This section explains the process of installing Google Tag Manager on a website. It outlines the two primary methods of installation, depending on the content management system used. The paragraph provides detailed instructions for developers on where to place the GTM codes and emphasizes the importance of adding the code to every page for proper functionality. It also mentions the availability of plugins for popular content management systems like WordPress to simplify the installation process and the necessity of verifying the installation through GTM's interface.

This paragraph clarifies the roles of tags, triggers, and variables within Google Tag Manager. It uses a three-question approach to explain the concept: what do you want to do (tag), when do you want to do it (trigger), and how exactly do you want to do it (variable). The section provides a practical example involving a Google Ads conversion tag, a thank you page, and the use of variables like page URL and order total to illustrate how these components interact within GTM.

This section offers an overview of Google Analytics 4 (GA4) and its capabilities. It discusses the types of data GA4 can provide, such as user behavior, traffic sources, page views, and event tracking. The paragraph highlights the automatic tracking of certain events and the potential for additional data through e-commerce tracking. It also mentions advanced reporting options like freeform funnel exploration and path exploration, which can offer deeper insights into user journeys and behaviors on a website.

This paragraph guides the user through the process of creating the first tag in Google Tag Manager, specifically for Google Analytics 4. It instructs on obtaining the measurement ID from GA4 and using it to configure a tag in GTM. The paragraph explains the importance of testing the tag using GTM's preview mode and verifying its functionality through GA4's debug view. It emphasizes the need to name and publish the changes for the new configuration to go live on the website.

This section discusses the utility of Google Tag Manager's preview mode for debugging and ensuring the proper functioning of tags. It explains how to use the preview mode to test tags, triggers, and variables, and how to interpret the information provided. The paragraph also mentions the ability to share the preview mode with others for collaborative troubleshooting and the importance of publishing changes after thorough testing.

This paragraph covers the use of custom HTML tags and templates in Google Tag Manager. It explains how to add a custom HTML tag when a standard or custom template is not available. The section provides an example of adding a chat widget from Drift and highlights the process of selecting triggers and naming tags. It also touches on the availability of various tag templates for different platforms and the importance of testing and publishing these tags in GTM.

This section delves into event tracking in Google Analytics 4, outlining the different types of events that can be tracked, including automatically tracked events, enhanced measurement events, recommended events, and custom events. The paragraph explains the process of tracking a specific event using Google Tag Manager, focusing on link clicks as an example. It highlights the importance of understanding triggers and variables in effectively tracking events.

This paragraph provides a detailed explanation on how to narrow down link click triggers in Google Tag Manager to track specific link clicks, such as those in a menu bar. It discusses the use of click variables and the creation of a trigger that activates only when certain conditions are met, like the presence of specific classes in the clicked element. The section also covers the process of creating a Google Analytics 4 event tag and associating it with the newly created trigger.

This final paragraph discusses the process of viewing tracked events in Google Analytics 4 reports. It explains the steps to create a custom report that displays the tracked menu link clicks, including the setup of dimensions, metrics, and filters. The paragraph emphasizes the need to wait up to 48 hours for the data to appear in the reports and suggests looking into further analytics education for a comprehensive understanding of GA4 reporting.

The conclusion summarizes the tutorial's content, emphasizing that it only scratches the surface of what Google Tag Manager can do. It encourages viewers to explore further with the help of more comprehensive resources, such as the speaker's full course on GTM for beginners. The paragraph also invites viewers to engage with the content by subscribing to the channel and looking into other related courses.