File Download Tracking Recipe for Google Tag Manager

This Google Tag Manager Recipe was originally posted by Lunametrics.

It tracks clicks on download links on your website and accordingly sends Google Analytics events. Includes tracking for the links with the following extensions:

• .pdf
• .doc & .docx
• .xls & .xlsx
• .txt

If you would like to enable more file extensions, edit the trigger named “Link Click – File Extension Is PDF, XLS, DOC, or TXT.”

If you want to learn more about file tracking with Google Tag Manager in general, read this guide.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Download Container File
   Download the container JSON file (right-click on the link and click “Save Link As” or “Save Target As” to save the JSON file to your computer).
2. Import JSON File into GTM
   Log into your own Google Tag Manager container and head to the Admin section of the site. Under Container options, select Import Container. Read this blog post for more details about importing a container file.
3. Update With Your Own Tracking ID
   Update or create a new Constant Variable named {{YOUR_GA_TRACKING_ID}} with your Google Analytics Tracking ID (a.k.a. UA Number). I’d recommend using Google Analytics Settings variable instead. Read this guide how to properly change Tracking ID in the imported container.
4. Preview & Publish
   Use the Preview options to test this container on your own site. Try testing each of the events to make sure they’re working properly. If everything looks good, go ahead and publish!
5. Optional – Update Triggers
   Currently the “GA – Event – File Download” will only fire for certain file extensions: PDF, XLS, XLSX, DOC, DOCX, or TXT.

View all 40+ Google Tag Manager Recipes