• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

How to Track YouTube Embeds Play/Pause Via Google Tag Manager

Reading Time: 3 mins. Posted on January 21, 2019 .

How to track embedded YouTube videos on a blog or website for user interactions like start, pause, play via Google tag manager.

How to Track YouTube Embeds Play/Pause Via Google Tag Manager

Have you ever wondered how many users watch an embedded YouTube video on your website or blog? In this article, I will share how to track embedded youtube videos play/pause on your website or blog via Google tag manager.

So, let’s begin with setting up YouTube video tracking using Google tag manager.

Step 0: Pre-requisites

You should be aware of Google Tag Manager Lingo. Moreover understand what a trigger, tag, and the built-in variables available are.

The next is, you should have a Google Tag Manager for tracking site’s traffic in Google Analytics though it isn’t a must. We will still need to have the Google Analytics Property ID to send scroll depth data to Google Analytics.

If you aren’t sure, refer to my article – How to Connect Google Analytics With Google Tag Manager first and then continue with this article.

Next, we need to create a user-defined variable. Just follow the below steps with appropriate configurations, and you will be all fine with it.

Step 1: Define Video Elapsed Time Variable

Create a new variable “Data Layer” as (Video Elapsed Time) Variables > User-Defined Variables > New

data layer variable in gtm for video Tracking

YouTube provides the amount of time video is played into the gtm.videoElapsedTime. We take that value and define a Data Layer Variable to be able to use in GTM Tag.

Step 1: Create Trigger

youtube video tracking trigger in gtm

  • Trigger name: You can name the trigger that is identifiable to you. I have it as “YouTube Video Trigger”.
  • Trigger type: Select YouTube Video from the built-in trigger type list.
  • Capture: Tick all the checkboxes to record the data from start to complete.
  • Trigger fires on: All videos across the site, but you can define based on page URLs or video embed ids.

Step 2: Create a Tag

  • Tag name: Any name that helps you identify the tag. I have named it “YouTube Video Tracking”.
  • Tag type: Google Analytics – Universal Analytics
  • Track type: Event (Select from the built-in list)

Event Tracking Parameters

  • Category: YouTube Video Tracking
  • Action: {{Video Title}}
  • Label: {{Video Player State}} – {{Video URL}}
  • Value: {{Video Elapsed Time}}
  • Non-Interaction hit: False (Only if you want to make this tag reduce bounce rate, else set as true)
  • Google analytics settings: {{Google Analytics ID}}

Track Your Tag in Google Analytics

Log in to your Google Analytics account and locate the Affiliate Link Clicks event under Behavior > Events > Overview. Look for the category that we assigned in step 2 which is YouTube Video Tracking. 

Under Actions, it will show Video title and URL.

And under Event Label, it will show the “Video Status” of being played and paused.

Check out affiliate link clicks, external link clicks, page scroll depth and Google ads conversion using the Google tag manager.

You are Here: Home / Tools / Google Tag Manager / How to Track YouTube Embeds Play/Pause Via Google Tag Manager

About Shabbir Bhimani

Blogging Since 2009. If I can leave my high paying C# job in an MNC in the midst of global financial crisis of 2008, anybody can do it. @BizTips I guide programmers and developers to Start and Grow an Online Business. Read more about me here.

May I help You With ...

Upwork Proposal
Finding Clients
Start a Store
Start a Blog
 

Or Help Yourself ..

Primary Sidebar

About Shabbir Bhimani

Blogging Since 2009. If I can leave my high paying C# job in an MNC in the midst of global financial crisis of 2008, anybody can do it. @BizTips I guide programmers and developers to Start and Grow an Online Business.

Get in touch with me on LinkedIn or read more about me here.

Let me Guide You to Start and Grow your Online Business

Download my
FREE eBook NOW
to win more clients.
And it is not an annoying pop-up either

Additional menu

  • Twitter
  • Linkedin

BizTips

Shabbir Bhimani: Start and Grow an Online Business

  • Freelancers Start Here
  • Start An eCommerce Store
  • Start A Blog
  • About
  • Archive
  • Disclaimer
  • Contact
  • Glossary

2009 - 2023 All my content & images are licensed as Creative Commons.

WebTurtles LLP. LLPIN: AAL-5288. Hosted with Linode.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT