Set up Custom Dimensions using GA, GTM, and the Data Layer

This article was written for Universal Analytics, which will stop processing data in July 2023 as Google switches to GA4. As GA4 requires almost completely new configuration, check out Google's migration guide here, or, for a complete done-for-you solution, I recommend Mediauthentic. . Adding a custom dimension to Google Analytics involves several interconnected parts: the ... Read more

Get SEO Data with the Google Custom Search JSON API

The Google Custom Search JSON API is primarily designed for creating applications that retrieve and display search results programmatically, like a search box widget that you place on your own website. However, as part of this service, Google provides a free Google Search API that that lets you query Google's search engine to check search ... Read more

Troubleshoot FB Pixel Errors Affecting Delivery

In Facebook Ads Manager, you may come across an error message banner stating "Pixel Error Affecting Delivery • An error with your Facebook pixel may be affecting the delivery of one or more of your ad sets. You can troubleshoot this error in Events Manager." This post will describe the steps you can take to ... Read more

[July 2019 Update] Top Google Sheets Add-ons

It's been a while since I did this, so this is an updated look at the top Google Sheets add-ons. I scraped this data from the Google Sheets add-on store. Earlier posts in this series: Top Google Sheets Add-Ons for Spreadsheets (+User Counts) [Oct 2018 Update] Top Google Sheets Add-Ons for Spreadsheets [Jan 2019 Update] ... Read more

Event Tracking with Data Attributes in GTM

This article was written for Universal Analytics, which will stop processing data in July 2023 as Google switches to GA4. While the underlying HTML/JS techniques can be carried over, GA4 requires almost completely new configuration. Check out Google's migration guide here, or, for a complete done-for-you solution, I recommend Mediauthentic. . One common method of ... Read more

Remove fbclid Parameter from GA Reports

In late 2018, Facebook began appending "fbclid" query strings to the ends of all outbound URLs originating from Facebook's site. These URLs take the format &fbclid=IwAR0Ylspg9Zo1-4JLuy5L3N7RhNTHg5BETDMlsQkUST8QC1JCo3iC6-54_PQ, and are appended to all outbound content, both FB ads as well as organic posts. This post will show you how to remove this parameter from your Google Analytics ... Read more

Useful Custom JavaScript Variables for Google Tag Manager

This post shows some useful Custom JavaScript Variables for Google Tag Manager. #2 and #3 require modification for your own site, while the others can be plugged in directly. Add Custom JavaScript Variables by navigating to Variables > New > Custom JavaScript. CONTENTS #1 Value of the Closest Parent ID#2 Text of the Closest Specific ... Read more

[JAN 2019 UPDATE] Top Google Sheets Add-Ons for Spreadsheets

Here we are again with another look at the top Google Sheets Add-Ons for spreadsheets. Other posts in this series: Top Google Sheets Add-Ons for Spreadsheets (+User Counts) [Oct 2018 Update] Top Google Sheets Add-Ons for Spreadsheets [July 2019 Update] Top Google Sheets Add-ons I scraped this data with a little script from the Google ... Read more

Extend Google Analytics: Use Transaction Data to Create a Revenue Histogram

A histogram is a type of chart that visually shows the distribution of data. It's useful when looking at the average or median of a data set, to understand whether that data point is common or not. For example, an ecommerce dashboard will typically include an Average Order Value metric. Say this metric is $50. ... Read more