How to create and manage tags in Google Tag Manager

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Creating and managing tags in Google Tag Manager (GTM) is a straightforward process. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Creating Tags in Google Tag Manager

  1. Sign in to Google Tag Manager:
  2. Select a Container:
    • Choose the container where you want to add the tag. A container holds all the tags, triggers, and variables for a specific website or app.
  3. Create a New Tag:
    • In the GTM dashboard, click on “Tags” in the left-hand menu.
    • Click the “New” button.
  4. Configure the Tag:
    • Click on “Tag Configuration” to choose the tag type. GTM supports various types of tags like Google Analytics, Google Ads, custom HTML, and more.
    • Select the appropriate tag type. For instance, if you want to add a Google Analytics tracking tag, select “Google Analytics: Universal Analytics.”
  5. Set Up Tag Details:
    • Fill in the required details for the selected tag type. For a Google Analytics tag, you might need to enter the Tracking ID and choose the Track Type (e.g., Page View, Event).
  6. Add Triggers:
    • Click on “Triggering” to define when the tag should fire.
    • Choose an existing trigger or create a new one by clicking the “+” button. Common triggers include “All Pages” for firing the tag on every page load, or specific triggers for events like clicks or form submissions.
  7. Save the Tag:
    • Click “Save” to add the tag to your container.

Managing Tags in Google Tag Manager

  1. View and Edit Tags:
    • In the GTM dashboard, navigate to “Tags”. Here, you’ll see a list of all the tags in the selected container.
    • Click on any tag to edit its configuration, change its triggers, or update its settings.
  2. Delete Tags:
    • To delete a tag, click on the tag you want to remove.
    • Click on the three-dot menu (more actions) in the upper-right corner.
    • Select “Delete”.
  3. Publish Changes:
    • After creating, editing, or deleting tags, you need to publish the changes to make them live on your site.
    • Click the “Submit” button in the upper-right corner of the GTM interface.
    • Provide a version name and description for your changes, then click “Publish”.
  4. Preview and Debug:
    • Before publishing, you can preview and debug your changes by clicking the “Preview” button.
    • This opens your website in debug mode, showing you which tags are firing and which aren’t, helping you troubleshoot any issues.
  5. Organize Tags with Folders:
    • To keep your tags organized, you can create folders. Click on “Folders” in the left-hand menu, then click “New” to create a folder.
    • Drag and drop tags into folders for better organization.

Additional Tips

  • Version Control: GTM keeps a history of all published versions. You can revert to a previous version if needed by clicking on “Versions” in the left-hand menu.
  • Workspaces: Use workspaces to collaborate with multiple users without overwriting each other’s work. Each user can work in a separate workspace and merge changes later.

By following these steps, you can effectively create, manage, and organize tags in Google Tag Manager, ensuring your tracking and marketing tags are correctly implemented and maintained.

Categories: Digital Marketing