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How do I track downloads with Google Tag Manager?

Asked on Sep 18, 2025

Answer

To track downloads using Google Tag Manager (GTM), you'll need to set up a tag that listens for link clicks and sends an event to Google Analytics 4 (GA4). This involves configuring a trigger for file downloads and creating a corresponding GA4 event tag.

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    1. Create a new Trigger in GTM:Go to Triggers → New → Trigger Configuration → Just Links.
Enable "Wait for Tags" and "Check Validation".
Set "Some Link Clicks" and define conditions (e.g., Click URL matches regex \.pdf|\.docx|\.zip$).
    2. Create a new Tag in GTM:Go to Tags → New → Tag Configuration → GA4 Event.
Set Event Name to "file_download".
Configure parameters (e.g., file_name, file_extension).
Set the Trigger to the one created for file downloads.
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Additional Comment:

Ensure your GA4 Measurement ID is correctly set in the GA4 Event tag configuration.
Test the setup using GTM's Preview mode to verify that events are firing correctly.
Consider adding custom dimensions in GA4 to capture additional file attributes.
Regularly review your GA4 reports to analyze download interactions.

✅ Answered with Analytics best practices.

Ask any question about Analytics & Tracking here... and get an instant response.

How do I track downloads with Google Tag Manager?

Asked on Sep 18, 2025

Answer

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