Implementing Cross Domain Tracking Via Google Tag Manager

Grant Marlowe - April 19, 2016

A topic which generates some confusion and brings in lot of questions is cross domain tracking.

What is it?
Do I need it?
How do I set it up?

What is Cross Domain Tracking?

Cross-domain tracking allows you to track users across multiple domains. By default, Google Analytics will record any site visit that switches domains as two separate sessions. By properly setting up cross domain tracking, you’re able to stitch together the users’ sessions, even when it spans across multiple domains.

For example, if you sell a product and the purchase/transaction takes place on a separate domain, you’ll want to set up cross domain tracking to fully understand how your users are navigating between your sites, what site they start on, and what the true source of traffic acquisition is.

Setting Up Cross Domain Tracking

Setting up cross domain tracking has certainly gotten easier throughout the years, and with Google Tag Manager it’s a fairly straight-forward process. However, it’s still possible that the information may not be configured correctly, and more so, it’s not always obvious when cross domain tracking is not working properly. A helpful tool that checks if cross domain tracking is correctly set up is Google Tag Assistant.

For a complete step-by-step guide on how to properly set-up, test, and implement cross domain tracking via Google Tag Manager, watch our complimentary webinar below.