Adobe Analytics Implementation Guide
Adobe Analytics Implementation Guide
Analytics Basics....................................................................................................11
Alerts.....................................................................................................................................11
Analytics Code......................................................................................................................11
Classifications.......................................................................................................................12
Conversion Variables (eVar)..................................................................................................13
Data Layer.............................................................................................................................13
Events...................................................................................................................................13
How Adobe Analytics Collects Data......................................................................................14
Code Manager.........................................................................................................................................17
Metrics...................................................................................................................................17
Processing Rules..................................................................................................................18
Reports and Report Suites....................................................................................................18
Segments..............................................................................................................................20
Traffic props and Conversion eVars.......................................................................................20
Comparing Props and eVars....................................................................................................................21
Using props as Counters..........................................................................................................................22
Counting Content Hierarchies..................................................................................................................23
What is a Predefined Event?....................................................................................................................23
What is a Custom Event?.........................................................................................................................25
Hash Collisions........................................................................................................................................25
Merchandising Variables.....................................................................................................173
Implementing a Merchandising Variable.................................................................................................175
Instances on Merchandising Variables...................................................................................................177
Implementation Plug-ins......................................................................................................209
Calling Plug-ins with doPlugins Function...............................................................................................209
s.abort flag.............................................................................................................................................211
appendList..............................................................................................................................................211
doPlugins Function.................................................................................................................................213
getAndPersistValue................................................................................................................................214
getDaysSinceLastVisit............................................................................................................................215
getLoadTime..........................................................................................................................................216
getNewRepeat........................................................................................................................................217
getPageVisibility.....................................................................................................................................218
getVisitStart............................................................................................................................................220
getPercentPageViewed..........................................................................................................................221
getPreviousValue...................................................................................................................................223
getQueryParam......................................................................................................................................224
getTimeParting.......................................................................................................................................226
getValOnce.............................................................................................................................................228
getVisitNum............................................................................................................................................229
performanceTiming................................................................................................................................231
Pathing................................................................................................................................234
Enabling Pathing on a prop....................................................................................................................235
Pathing by Campaign or Tracking Code.................................................................................................235
Reasons Pathing may not be Recorded.................................................................................................236
Moving from Section to Section..............................................................................................................236
Moving from Page Template to Page Template......................................................................................236
Segmenting Paths by User Type............................................................................................................236
Purchase Events.................................................................................................................237
Event Serialization...............................................................................................................238
Methods of Event Serialization...............................................................................................................238
Visitor Migration...................................................................................................................252
Using Timestamps Optional................................................................................................253
Redirects and Aliases.........................................................................................................257
Analytics and Redirects..........................................................................................................................257
Implementing Redirects.........................................................................................................................258
Adobe Debugger.................................................................................................................265
Adobe Debugger Installation..................................................................................................................265
Launching DigitalPulse Debugger..........................................................................................................266
Packet Analyzers.................................................................................................................267
NS_Binding_Aborted in Packet Monitors...............................................................................................268
Vulnerability Scanner...........................................................................................................274
Optimizing your Implementation..........................................................................................275
Page Naming..........................................................................................................................................275
Variable Length......................................................................................................................................277
HTML Code Snippet...............................................................................................................................277
Javascript Library File............................................................................................................................277
Caching Directives.................................................................................................................................277
Tables.....................................................................................................................................................278
File Compression...................................................................................................................................278
Secure Pages.........................................................................................................................................278
Content Delivery Services/Networks......................................................................................................278
JavaScript File Location and Concurrency.............................................................................................278
Peering...................................................................................................................................................279
New Users
If you are new to Adobe Analytics, you can quickly create your first Analytics report suite (data repository) using the
Getting Started with Adobe Analytics setup modal. Then, you can deploy Analytics code using Dynamic Tag
Management.
Dynamic Tag Management allows you to manage your Adobe Analytics implementation without needing to make
changes to your site every time. If you're implementing a Mobile app, you can get the SDK that you need to begin
collecting valuable data from your apps.
Installation Roadmap
Choose an
Common ways to implement Analytics include:
implementation method.
Dynamic Tag Management (Recommended)
Validate the
Testing and Validation Provides information about validating your
implementation.
implementation.
More Information
For information about the differences between the Dynamic Tag Management and JavaScript methods, see Choose
an Implementation Method.
The Admin & Analytics Reference provides report and metric descriptions, and admin reference information for
Adobe Analytics.
For a concise overview of the getting started process and help on quickly setting up your first Analytics report suite,
see Getting Started with Analytics Implementation in the Getting Started with Analytics guide.
Release Notes
Analytics Basics
Learn about the basics of Analytics, including terms, what's in the code, and how data is collected.
Alerts
Intelligent Alerts let you create and manage alerts in Analysis Workspace, complete with alert preview and rule
contribution.
You can
Build alerts based on anomalies (90%, 95%, or 99% thresholds; % change; above/below).
Preview how often an alert will trigger.
Send alerts by e-mail or SMS with links to auto-generated Analysis Workspace projects.
Create "stacked" alerts that capture multiple metrics in a single alert.
You can access this new Alerts system from More > Alerts in any report in Reports & Analytics.
Analytics Code
Data is sent to a report suite to display in reporting. The easiest and most common way to send data to Analytics is
by using the DTM implementation. You can also enter the code with the JavaScript implementation.
For information about creating the header and footer code in Dynamic Tag Management, see Add Header and
Footer Code.
Classifications
Classifications are created by grouping (classifying) granular data from a source report.
For example, you might want to analyze display ads, but they are mixed with email, partner, text ad, and social
media campaigns. You can create groups so that you can analyze them separately.
The Custom Insight Conversion Variable (or eVar) is placed in the Adobe code on selected web pages of your site.
Its primary purpose is to segment conversion success metrics in custom marketing reports.
Important: When implementing Analytics, it is important to know which eVars you will use, and how many.
You should also understand how to configure those eVars in the Admin Console. For detailed information
about eVars, see Conversion Variables (eVar) in the Analytics Help and reference documentation.
An eVar can be visit-based and function similarly to cookies. Values passed into eVar variables follow the user for
a predetermined period of time.
When an eVar is set to a value for a visitor, Adobe automatically remembers that value until it expires. Any success
events that a visitor encounters while the eVar value is active are counted toward the eVar value.
eVars are best used to measure cause and effect, such as:
Which internal campaigns influenced revenue
Which banner ads ultimately resulted in a registration
The number of times an internal search was used before making an order
Data Layer
A "data layer" is a framework of JavaScript objects that developers insert into pages. The data layers can be used
by tracking tools (including tag management systems like Dynamic Tag Management) to populate reports.
Implementing a data layer on your site provides ultimate control and flexibility over your implementation and allows
easiest maintenance in future phases. The names of these JavaScript objects are theoretically arbitrary, but the
best practice is to use something consistent and predictable. The developers may already have a data layer, or a
preference for the format. There are few different standards the tracking community has created as a starting point.
The Data Layer for Analytics Implementation specification document uses the W3C standard "digitalData" object
that is accepted by the widest variety of tracking technology, in case there is a need to use the data layer for more
than this DTM implementation.
Events
Success events
Currency events
Custom events
Success events are described in detail in the Analytics Help and Reference.
Learn how visits to your web site become a report in Adobe Analytics.
Adobe has created multiple ways to send data into Analytics.These methods include tracking information in real-time
from web sites, emails, campaigns, web-based kiosks, mobile devices, client-server applications, and most applications
that can access the Internet.
1. When a visitor comes to your site, a request is made to your web server.
2. Your site's web server sends the page code information, and the page displays in the browser.
The JavaScript code sends an image request to the Adobe server, passing the variables, metrics, and page data
that you defined in your implementation.
Example JavaScript Code: The JavaScript code is placed within the body tags of a web page:
Analytics Basics 15
Example Image Request: A snippet of an image request with the page name outlined:
Note: Each image request contains a random number string to prevent browser caching and ensure that
subsequent image requests are made by the browser.
The code automatically collects additional details (such as operating system, browser type, browser height and
width, IP address, and browser language).
5. Adobe servers store web analysis data in report suites (your data repository).
Analytics Basics 16
A report suite defines the complete, independent reporting on a chosen website, set of websites, or subset of
web pages.
6. Report suite data populates the reports that you can access in a web browser.
Example report:
The JavaScript code execution occurs quickly and does not noticeably affect page load times. This approach
allows you to count pages that were displayed when a visitor clicked Reload or Back to reach a page, because
the JavaScript runs even when the page is retrieved from cache.
Code Manager
Code manager lets you download data collection code for web and mobile platforms.
Analytics > Admin > Code Manager.
After you download the library, you must configure the code to send data to the correct tracking server and report
suite. Additional implementation resources are available at Developer & Implementation.
Column Description
Name The name matches the platform where you want to enable data collection. Native
libraries are provided for each platform listed in this column.
Version List the latest version of the library. Click the version number to view the release history.
Metrics
Metrics are quantitative information about visitor activity, such as Views, Click-Throughs, Reloads, Average Time
spent, Units, Orders, and Revenue.
Metrics are the foundation of reports and help you view and understand data relationships. They let you perform
side-by-side comparisons of different data sets about your website.
Traffic metrics Page View: One Web page load in a users browser (one execution of
the Reports & Analytics code).
Visit: Any number of page views when visitor comes to your site. A visit
ends after 30 minutes of inactivity.
Unique Visitor: A person visiting your site for the first time during a
given time frame, such as Hour, Day, Week, Month, Quarter or year.
(This also includes Unique Visitors for any time frame.)
Analytics Basics 18
Conversion metrics These show data about success events, such as purchases, downloads,
or any other action that you want users to take on your website.
Video metrics Analytics provides support for tracking a number of video metrics,
including total views, time spent, and completion rates.
Social metrics You can measure your brand's presence on the social web. Social metrics
work with Analytics standard metrics. By combining these with calculated
metrics, you can view a report that shows how often a product is
mentioned, gauge product sentiment, and see how Social metrics
correlate with Analytics key performance indicators.
Calculated metrics Calculated metrics enable you to combine metrics to create mathematical
operations that are used as new metrics. These metrics can be created
for a report to which you add metrics. Administrators can create
calculated metrics for all users of a report suite.
Processing Rules
Processing rules simplify data collection and manage content as it is sent to reports.
Processing rules help simplify interaction with IT groups and Web developers by providing an interface to:
A report suite defines the complete, independent reporting on a chosen website, set of websites, or subset of web
pages. Usually, a report suite is one website, but it can be a global segment where you have combined several sites'
Analytics Basics 19
numbers to get totals. When you log in to the marketing reports, ad hoc analysis, and report builder, you select one
report suite to use (except when you use roll-ups that combine report suites).
Reports provide information about the data collected by Analytics, based on specific parameters.
Reporting provides insights into your traditional web-based channels as well as evolving channels like mobile, video,
and social networking. Some examples of marketing reports include:
You can run an Analytics report after implementing Adobe Analytics. Reports provide insights into your web-based
channels, as well as mobile, video, and social networking. High-level report types include:
Traffic: Gives you in-depth insight into how visitors interact with your website, and your customized traffic statistics.
Conversion: Displays information about success indicators that you define.
Paths: Enable you to track and record entire browsing paths of visitors.
You can use Analysis Workspace to remove the typical limitations of a single Analytics report. It provides a robust,
flexible canvas for building custom analysis projects. Drag-and-drop any number of data tables, visualizations, and
components (dimensions, metrics, segments, and time granularities) to a project. Instantly create breakdowns and
segments, create cohorts for analysis, create alerts, create segments, and curate reports for sharing with anyone
in your business.
See Also
Reports and Analytics help
Real-Time Reports
Adobe Report Builder help
Data Extracts in the Reports and Analytics help
ClickMap in the Reports and Analytics help
Activity Map in the Reports and Analytics help
Report Suite Manager
Analytics Product Comparison and Requirements
Reports and Analytics Interface Help
Analysis Workspace Help
Report Descriptions
Dashboards and Reportlets
Analytics Basics 20
Bookmarks
Virtual Report Suites
Anomaly Detection in the Report Builder Documentation
Contribution Analysis in the Contribution documentation
Segments
Segments are custom subsets of data, or data filtered by rules that you create. Segments are based on hits, visits,
and visitors.
For information about using segments for cross-device visitor identification, see Create Segments.
For in-depth information on Adobe Analytics Segmentation, please refer to the Segmentation Guide.
Custom traffic variables, also called props (s.prop) or property variables, are counters that count the number of
times each value is sent into Analytics.
When determining which variables are assigned where, it is important to understand the differences between Prop
and eVar functionality. Understanding these differences allows your organization to decide which type of variable
is best to use. For detailed information, see Comparing Props and eVars.
Props also let you correlate custom data with specific traffic-related events. These variables are embedded in the
Analytics code on each page of your website. Through s.prop variables, Analytics lets you create custom reports,
unique to your organization, industry, and business objectives.
For example, if you are an automobile manufacturer, you may be interested in seeing "Most Popular Car Model" to
complement your "Pages" report. You can accomplish this by allocating one of your traffic properties to represent
car model. Then implement your code to pass in car model on the appropriate pages.
Props are used in pathing reports or in correlation reports. For example, property variables can be used to show
content type, sub-section, or template name. The resulting Custom Traffic reports show which content type,
sub-section, or template is viewed most often.
There are endless business questions that can be answered through the custom traffic variables, depending on
what you are capturing from your website. The following list contains a few common goals and objectives:
Understanding user navigation through the website
Understanding internal user search behavior
Segmenting traffic by navigation or category
Segmenting visitor behavior by demographics
eVars (or Custom Conversion Insight variables) are used to identify how well specific attributes or actions contribute
to success events on your site. For example, for a media site, eVars may be used to identify how well internal
promotions bring visitors to register. When a visitor clicks on the internal promotion, an eVar can be used to store
a unique identifier for that promotion. When the same visitor completes registration and a custom success event is
fired, the original unique identifier receives credit for the registration event.
Analytics Basics 21
In a conversion site, eVars may be used to track how logged-in visitors compare to non-logged in visitors in completing
a purchase. When a visitor logs in, an eVar is set to "logged in." When that visitor reaches the checkout page, the
checkout event is attributed to the "logged in" value. When a visitor reaches the Thank You page after purchasing,
the products and purchase amounts are attributed to the "logged in" value. The resulting Custom eVar report shows
the total number of checkouts and orders for "logged in" and "non-logged in" visitors.
For additional information, see Traffic Variable in the Analytics Help and Reference.
For information about setting up properties in Digital Tag Management, see Create Web Property.
The following are the main differences between props and eVars:
Naming convention: Props are considered traffic variables, meaning they are used to report on popularity of
various dimensions of your site. eVars are considered conversion variables. They are used to determine which
dimensions of your site contribute the most to success events.
Persistence: Props do not persist beyond the image request they were fired on. They cannot be associated with
other variables that are not in the same image request. eVars, however, are persistent. A back-end variable is
used to preserve the value originally fired so it can associate itself with success events later on.
Success events: Success events, also known as conversion events, are metrics that measure the number of
times a visitor reaches a goal. This event can be anything from purchasing something on your site, to subscribing
to a newsletter. eVars are designed to report on conversion events, to show you which values are most successful
in influencing visitors to reach your goals. Traffic variables do not have this same functionality. However, you can
view participation metrics if you configure your report suite correctly.
Pathing: Props can use pathing, which allows your organization to see a given path a user took within the context
of the variable being viewed. An Adobe representative can enable pathing, if requested. eVars cannot use pathing.
Potentially available metrics: The metrics available between props and eVars vary widely based on the variable's
settings and data platform/version. The following list illustrates what can be enabled, not what is enabled by default.
If you want a specific metric in reporting but do not see it, have one of your organization's supported users contact
Customer Care.
Both props and eVars:
Instances, Page Views, Visits and Unique Visitors
Bounces, Bounce Rate, Entries, Exits, and Total Time Spent
Participation metrics and calculated metrics
Props (Traffic variables):
Average Time Spent, Average Page Depth, Reloads, and Single Access
eVars (Conversion variables):
All shopping cart metrics
All purchase metrics, such as Orders, Units, and Revenue
All custom conversion events
Analytics Basics 22
Breakdowns: Props use correlations, which display page views for other traffic variables fired in the same image
request. eVars use subrelations, which provide a breakdown on other conversion variables in relation to success
events.
Prop data is collected and available in reporting almost instantly. eVars can take upwards of 30 minutes to appear
in report suite data.
All Props can have flowchart-like reports enabled, which let you see the path visitors take to your site. These pathing
flow reports are available for both Props and eVars in Ad Hoc Analysis.
Props can be correlated multiple levels, where eVars can only be subrelated once. This limitation can be mitigated
by using segmentation, giving identical data as correlations.
Participation metrics allow you to see what prop values participated before a success event.
eVars on the other hand hold several advantages over the limited nature of Props:
Pathing metrics, such as Total Time Spent, Entries, and Exits, were originally not available for eVars. However,
recent updates have made these metrics available, increasing the value of eVars.
Which to Use
If latency is the largest concern, and you intend to only measure traffic (not success events) with this dimension,
Props would be recommended.
If data breakdowns and relationships are the largest concerns, use eVars. If you don't want the variable to persist,
you can change the variable's expiration to 'hit' so it doesn't keep any data beyond the hit.
For page B, enter a similar value in s.prop1 for Windows Media Player, as shown below.
s.prop1="WindowsMP"
As visitors come to your site and visit the pages containing the Real Player or Windows Media Player, Analytics is
able to segment the users based on which pages they visited. The Custom Traffic report then shows the number
of visits to each page.
Analytics Basics 23
Note: The name of the Custom Traffic report can be customized. For example, the Custom Traffic report
can be renamed to "Player Types Report."
Global Hierarchy
All Sites > Regions > Countries > Language > Category
In this example, the hierarchy could begin to break down at the language level. If a requirement is to report on overall
"English" traffic, you can run into the problem where English appears under USA, England, Australia, and so forth.
Hierarchies allow you to only drill down. In order to slice horizontally across multiple hierarchies, the best practice
is to use a custom traffic variable (prop).
If you want to provide users with the ability to drill down through the site (similar to how users would browse the site)
and report on Unique Visitors at each level of the hierarchy, the hierarchy variable is recommended.
There are occasions when using both props and the hier variable makes sense. The following is a supported prop
for each variable type:
Props Hierarchy
Correlations x x
Pathing x
Page View x x
Unique Visitors x x
Classifications x
When any of the predefined events above occurs, an instance of the event is incremented. You can view the metrics
related to the event in several different reports. See below for an example of the code used to configure predefined
events.
s.events="scAdd"
s.events="scOpen,scAdd"
In the first example above, scAdd is the value of the event. Any time an item is added to the shopping cart, the
event is incremented.
In the second example, two values are captured at the same time. When multiple success events occur on the
same page, each event is incremented.
The products variable is used for tracking products and product categories (as well as purchase quantity and purchase
price).
A success event should always be set in conjunction with the products variable.
s.events="prodView"
Note: While prodView is treated in implementation like an event, it does not have the same flexibility in the
interface. The prodView event is an instance of the product and is only available in the products report. Adobe
recommends you use a custom event in addition to the prodView event. This way, you can see the product
view metrics alongside other metrics in other conversion reports.
Note: The products string syntax must begin with a semi-colon. This is a legacy syntax requirement. It was
previously used to delimit the category and product, but that creates a limitation within the interface should
you ever want to change how you are classifying products. In order to have the maximum flexibility in your
reporting, it is best to leave this blank and use Classifications to set up categories.
Confirmation Page
s.events="purchase"
s.products=";SKU"
Note: While using the SKU in the product string may make the products report less readable, it provides the
maximum flexibility later when you want to classify your products. You can create categories from the SKU
that indicate finish, manufacturer, category, and sub-category.
Analytics Basics 25
When the products variable is set in conjunction with the purchase event, the purchase quantity and total purchase
price are included in the products value as shown above.
The code above shows how to assign an event to the events variable. If you do not modify the event name in the
interface, then "event3" would display in the interface.
By default, success events are configured as "counter" events. Counter events count the number of times a success
event is set. Some success event uses require an event be incremented by some custom amount. These events
can be set either as "numeric" events or "currency" events. You can change the event type using Admin Console.
Hash Collisions
Describes what a hash collision is and how it can manifest.
By default, Adobe treats prop and eVar values as strings, even if the value is a number. Sometimes these strings
are hundreds of characters long, other times they are short. To save space, improve performance, and make
everything uniformly sized, the strings are not used directly in the processing tables. Instead, a 32-bit or 64-bit hash
is computed for each value. All reports run on those hashed values until the data is presented, where each hash is
replaced by the original text. Without this compression, reports would likely take minutes to run.
For most fields, the string is first converted to all lower case (reducing the number of unique values). Values are
hashed on a monthly bases (the first time they are seen each month). From month to month there is a small possibility
that two unique variable values will be hashed to the same hash value. This is known as a hash collision.
The likelihood of hash collisions increases with the number of unique values in a dimension (eVar). For example,
one of the values that come in late in the month could get the same hash value as a value earlier in the month. The
following example may help explain how this can cause segment results to change. Suppose eVar62 receives "value
100" on February 18. Analytics will maintain a table that may look like this:
Value 99 111
If you build a segment that looks for visits where eVar62="value 500", Analytics determines if "value 500" contains
a hash. Because "value 500" does not exist, Analytics returns zero visits. Then, on February 23, eVar62 receives
"value 500", and the hash for that is also 123. The table will look like this:
Value 99 111
When the same segment runs again, it looks for the hash of "value 500", finds 123, and the report returns all visits
that contain hash 123. Now, visits that occurred on February 18 will be included in the results.
This situation can create problems when using Analytics. Adobe continues to investigate ways to reduce the likelihood
of these hash collisions in the future. Suggestions to avoid this situation are to find ways to spread the unique values
between variables, remove unnecessary values with processing rules, or otherwise reduce the number of values
per variable.
Frequently Asked Questions about Analytics 27
Implementation
Question Answer
How do I manage For information about managing users and groups, refer to User Management in the
Analytics users and Adobe Analytics help.
groups?
eVar Expiration - Why are Expire After specifies a time period, or event, after which the eVar value expires (no
the eVars getting attributed longer receives credit for success events). If a success event occurs after eVar
to None in the reports? expiration, the None value receives credit for the event (no eVar was active). If you
select an event as an expiration value, the variable expires only if the event occurs. If
the event does not occur, the variable never expires. More...
Custom Event Visibility - In the Visibility column, you can hide standard (built-in) metrics, custom events, and
Why do Custom Events built-in events in the Menu, Metric Selectors, Calculated Metrics Builder, and the
not appear in the reports Segment Builder. This setting does not impact the data collection for that metric or
menu? event; it affects only its visibility in the user interface. More...
Timestamps - What do I Using the Timestamps Optional feature, you can combine non-timestamped data with
need to consider before timestamped data without incurring data loss. Offline data with timestamps generated
changing timestamp from a mobile device can be combined with live, non-timestamped data from a web
settings? pageor integrated with data from any platform using a client-side timestamp call.
More...
Visitor ID - How does the If you have multiple JavaScript files that are sending data to the same report suite, or
Visitor ID grace period if you are using other technologies on your site such as Flash video measurement, we
work and how is it recommend configuring a grace period. More...
enabled?
Visitor ID - What is the The Marketing Cloud ID service assigns a unique, persistent identifier to all your site
difference between the visitors. With this ID, visitors and their data can be shared among other solutions in the
Marketing Cloud Visitor ID Marketing Cloud. Also, this ID can replace or work with solution-specific IDs such as
and the Analytics Visitor the Analytics Visitor ID. More...
ID?
Visitor ID - How is the If the standard s_vi cookie is unavailable, a fallback cookie is created on the domain
Visitor ID set if cookies are of the website with a randomly generated unique ID. This cookie, named s_fid, is set
blocked? with a 2-year expiration and is used as the fallback identification method going forward.
More...
Frequently Asked Questions about Analytics 28
Implementation
Dynamic Tag Management If your event-based rule does not fire, then there is likely an issue with the selector or
- Why does my DTM rule condition of the rule. Locate the element on your site where the desired event action
not fire? occurs, right click and select Inspect element. Inspect the highlighted script in the box
that opens and ensure you are targeting the correct element. More...
How do I implement This section contains instructions on downloading the video heartbeat SDKs and
Heartbeat Video Tracking? developer guides for your platform. Make sure you also download the developer guide
that is in the docs folder when you download the SDK as it contains the specific
implementation instructions for video heartbeat.
Tracking Server - How do When you configure an implementation to send data to Adobe Analytics servers, you
I correctly populate my must send it to the correct location. Failure to do so causes inflated visitor counting or
tracking server? data loss. More...
Performance - Can a No. The JavaScript file is not hosted on Adobe servers, so an Adobe outage will not
failure to load the external affect the JavaScript execution. If dynamic tag management is employed, the JavaScript
Adobe JavaScript, whether file is hosted by Akamai, or on a server location determined by customers.
due to internet connection,
See Will Dynamic Tag Management reduce my website's performance? at the Dynamic
proxy, firewall, or service
Tag Management FAQ.
interruption at Adobe,
affect performance? Additionally, you can host your own core dynamic tag management file if you are not
comfortable relying on Akamai's CDN. See Embed Code and Hosting Options.
Performance - Can the The JavaScript file is cached in the visitor's browser after it is initially loaded, and is
loading of the external typically downloaded no more than once per session. The file is not downloaded on
Adobe JavaScript cause a each page, even though it is used by every page on the site. On most web sites, users
reduction in performance? average more than a few page views per session, so transferring JavaScript that is
used multiple times into this file can result in less overall downloaded data.
JavaScript for AppMeasurement Compression: If you are concerned about the page
weight (size) of Adobe's JavaScript client, Adobe recommends that you consider
compressing the file using GZIP. GZIP is supported by all major browsers and offers
better performance than JavaScript compression to compress and decompress the
core s_code.js JavaScript file.
Performance - Can the The Adobe JavaScript file creates an image object within the HTML page, and the
sending of data from the browser then requests the image object from Adobe servers. If the Adobe servers were
browser to Adobe services to be slow or unresponsive, the thread handling that request would be delayed until
reduce performance? the image returns or a timeout occurs. Because browsers handle images with multiple
threads, an Adobe outage would have a minimal impact on the page load time, tying
up one thread while the others continue to function.
Frequently Asked Questions about Analytics 29
Implementation
How can I change Use processing rules to simplify data collection and manage content as it is sent to
collected data, based on reporting. learn more
defined conditions of my
own?
Which is the latest version This section contains a release history for AppMeasurement libraries across web and
of s_code file? mobile platforms. The latest version of each library can be downloaded in Reports &
Analytics > Admin Tools > Code Manager. learn more
How do I debug s_code The Adobe Debugger (previously DigitalPulse Debugger) is a free tool provided by
file? Adobe that lets you view the data being collected from your site on any given page.
learn more
How do I track different link File downloads and exit links can be automatically tracked based on parameters set
types? in the AppMeasurement for JavaScript file. learn more
How do I track video ? JavaScript can be used to track a wide variety of players. To track using JavaScript,
you add code to the web page that contains your player and track the player using
event handlers. learn more
How do I track a mobile Acquisition links with unique tracking codes can be generated in Adobe Mobile services.
App? When a user downloads and runs an app from the Apple App Store after clicking on
the generated link, the SDK automatically collects and sends the acquisition data to
Adobe Mobile services. iOSAndroid
How do I implement video You can track media players by creating functions attached to the video player event
tracking? handlers This lets you call Media.open, Media.play, Media.stop, and Media.close at
the appropriate times. learn more
How do I set up the First Analytics uses cookies to provide information on variables and components that do not
Party Cookie? persist between image requests and browser sessions. These harmless cookies
originate from a domain hosted by Adobe, known as third-party cookies. learn more
How do I get an SSL Determine whether your site uses https:// protocol. If it does, requesting a CSR and
certificate? purchasing an SSL certificate is required. Note: An SSL certificate is not required if you
do not have any secure pages or content. This entire step may be skipped if you use
only http:// protocol on your site. learn more
Where do I find information SSL certificates expire each year, meaning that Adobe requires an updated certificate
about the certification request each time this happens. The FPC specialist provides sufficient warning when
expiration notice? this occurs, however, it is recommended to be proactive in monitoring the expiration
and providing Adobe with this updated certificate. learn more
What are plugins? AppMeasurement for JavaScript plug-ins are programs or functions that perform several
advanced functions. These plug-ins extend the capabilities of your JavaScript file to
give you more functionality that is not available with a basic implementation. Adobe
offers a number of other plug-ins as part of advanced solutions. Contact your Account
Manager if you want to capture data using JavaScript but are unsure how to proceed.
learn more
Information about data Adobe has created multiple ways to send data into Analytics. learn more
insertion API?
Frequently Asked Questions about Analytics 30
Implementation
What is a 500 error? Information about the internal server error which caused a "500 Query Error" status.
Insight query APIpageType variable
Prepare to Implement Analytics 31
If you are working with an Adobe Consultant, it is not required that you know the information in these documents
before implementing Analytics. However, being familiar with the documents Consulting will create and the questions
they will ask can help to speed the pre-implementation process.
The Business Requirements Document (BRD) is used to document the key business objectives and requirements.
Consulting will work with you to compile the BRD. The contents of this document depend on a number of factors,
such as the nature of your site or application, and your business vertical (such as retail, media, travel, or lead gen).
Consulting will also work with you to compile a Solution Design Reference (SDR), which documents the solution
architecture, and a validation checklist to validate the implementation.
There are six pillars of digital analytics that can help you understand whether your organization is positioned to make
the most of the business intelligence your data can provide.
Clear objectives
Organization-wide scope
Right expertise
Tools and technology
Process
Governance (that ties them all together)
Organizations that successfully make the most of their data have put into place well-defined and well-communicated
roles and responsibilities. This hold teams and people accountable across the full spectrum of activities required to
collect, analyze, and use data to measure and act on business goals. This is known as governance.
Responsibility is another aspect of governance. Governance is the process of outlining who has responsibility for
making collection, analysis, implementation and assessment a success and how these activities can be supported.
This can range from ownership and responsibility of a particular area to simply being informed and aware of the
progress or setbacks. The Business Governance Questionnaire contains business questions that need to be filled
by our client before the Analytics implementation kick-off meeting.
Technical Questionnaire
Adobe uses proven methodologies and enlists professional help to guide our clients to accurately plan in the initial
stages of the project and to successfully complete the implementation.
Prepare to Implement Analytics 32
The Technical Pre-Implementation Questionnaire contains technical questions, which should be filled out before the
Analytics implementation kick-off meeting.
Technical Specification
Your Adobe Consultant will discuss the technical specifications of your implementation with you.
It can be useful for you to be familiar with the content of the Technical Specifications document used by Consulting,
although it is not required for you to know this information if you are working with a Consultant. This document is
used as the standard guide for deploying Adobe Analytics on a given site. The document is divided into different
sections, each of which describes a different component of the overall Analytics solution.
The industry specific Tech Specs cover the fundamental solutions and can be leveraged as a starting point for
creating a more complete document.
A site or application walk-through is a key step in the implementation process, in which you lead your Implementation
Consultant through the site and explain the technical factors and business flows.
This step should be carried out whenever there is a requirement for implementation or implementation changes.
This step happens in the "strategy planning" phase, in the "onboard" process of an engagement lifecycle.
This step typically takes place after the kick-off call between your organization and Consulting,
Prepare to Implement Analytics 33
Prerequisites
It is important to work with your implementation consultant to provide a good understanding of your business and
the overall objective of your site or application. Some of the places best suited to give some background information
are:
Key Stakeholders
Adobe:
Implementation Consultant
Business Consultant
Solution Architect
Project Manager
Client:
Site Master
Business Lead
Technical Lead
Methodology
The site/app walkthrough happens over a phone with screen share or on a site visit
Your Consultant will ask you to demonstrate the key business flows that impact revenue
The Consultant will observe, record, and document the outcomes
The Adobe Pre-Implementation questionnaire and Digital Assets Governance document contain the questions that
you should answer during the walkthrough session.
Key Outcomes
The following information should be known following the webite or app review:
Business:
Technical:
Internal and external domain names
Secure content (if any)
Hosted conversion process
Prepare to Implement Analytics 34
Dashboard Creation
As part of the implementation process, your Adobe Consultant will help you create a dashboard.
Your Consultant will schedule and hold a dashboard kickoff meeting. During the meeting, You and your Consultant
will gather requirements and fill out the Dashboard Requirements Document (DRD). After the call, your Consultant
will give you a final copy of the DRD and identify the next steps.
Before Adobe can help your organization with the visual design of a dashboard, it is important to help your Consultant
understand your requirements. The following questionsshould be answered:
The Adobe Analytics Dashboard Fundamentals document contains a list of questions that will help Adobe create
an initial dashboard structure. Once in place, you and your Consultant can customize the dashboards according to
your business needs.
Choose an Implementation Method 35
Although Dynamic Tag Management greatly simplifies the implementation process, you should be familiar with basic
before you begin. It is also useful to be familiar with JavaScript.
For information about getting access to Dynamic Tag Management and getting up and running, see Getting Started
in the Dynamic Tag Management Product Documentation.
For more information, see Implementing Analytics with Dynamic Tag Management.
JavaScript
The JavaScript implementation method requires you to configure the JavaScript codes on your pages manually.
Much of this effort can be simplified if you use the Dynamic Tag Management implementation method. However,
some users might require the JavaScript method.
This help section provides specific information about using Dynamic Tag Management to implement Adobe Analytics.
For detailed information about Dynamic Tag Management, refer to the Dynamic Tag Management Product
Documentation. For information about accessing DTM and common tasks when starting to use DTM, see Getting
Started in the Dynamic Tag Management Product Documentation.
For a detailed summary of the Dynamic Tag Management implementation steps, refer to Deploy Adobe Analytics
Using Dynamic Tag Management in Getting Started with Adobe Analytics.
A web property can be any grouping of one or more domains and subdomains with a library of rules, included in
one embed code.
Note: Only a user with Admin rights can create a property. For more information about roles, see Create and
Manage Groups in DTM in the Dynamic Tag Management Product Documentation.
You can manage and track these assets with DTM. For example, suppose that you have multiple websites based
on one template and you want to track the same assets on all of these websites. You can apply one web property
to multiple domains.
Tip: Plan ahead to determine how many web properties you need. See Planning Your Migration to DTM in
the Getting Started with Adobe Dynamic Tag Management guide.
For general information about web properties and best practices, see Web Properties in the Dynamic Tag Management
Product Documentation.
Element Description
Name
The name of your property.
URL
The base URL of the property.
This setting lets you specify how you would like to track traffic moving between your
associated subdomains or domains. Links to subdomains are treated as outbound
links. Visits to subdomains are tracked separately.
Element Description
Allow Multi-Rule
Allows multiple rules for this property to be approved at one time.The default approval
Approvals
allows only single-rule approval.
Element Description
Tracking Cookie Name
Overrides the default tracking cookie name. You can customize the name that
Dynamic Tag Management uses to track your opt-out status for receiving other
cookies.
Tag Timeout
Specifies how long Dynamic Tag Management waits for a tag to fire before timing
out and cancelling the tag request.
Because of how Dynamic Tag Management works, don't worry about this being a
high number. DTM has effective methods of ensuring that slow tags do not affect
the user experience.
Anchor Delay
Specifies how long Dynamic Tag Management waits for tags to fire on clicked links
before moving to the next page. The default value is 100 milliseconds.
Dynamic Tag Management will wait up to the time specified, but if the beacon fires
sooner, the delay is cut short. (That is, user won't always wait the full length of the
delay.)
You can deploy Dynamic Tag Management using one or more of the available hosting options.
Dynamic Tag Management provides a number of options to host the required JavaScript files.
For detailed information about hosting, see Embed Code and Hosting Options in the Dynamic Tag Management
Product Documentation.
Akamai The simplest hosting option to implement. 1. Dynamic Tag Management generates
custom JavaScript libraries.
Globally distributed delivery network.
2. Dynamic Tag Management exports the
Adds additional third-party infrastructure custom JavaScript libraries to Akamai.
dependencies (DNS lookup, Akamai
3. The target website references the
availability).
Akamai-hosted Dynamic Tag Management
For more detailed information, see Akamai in libraries directly at the page level.
the Dynamic Tag Management Product
Documentation.
Implementing Analytics with Dynamic Tag 39
Management
Self-hosting: FTP
A push approach, whereby Dynamic Tag 1. Dynamic Tag Management generates
Delivery
Management exports custom JavaScript custom JavaScript libraries.
libraries directly to the web content server host 2. Dynamic Tag Management exports the
via the FTP protocol. custom JavaScript libraries to host server
This solution requires an FTP server and via FTP.
credentials to be available on the web content 3. The target website locally references the
server to publish changes to the custom custom Dynamic Tag Management
Dynamic Tag Management libraries. libraries.
Self-hosting:
A pull approach, whereby the application 1. Dynamic Tag Management generates
Library Download
exports custom JavaScript libraries. There, the custom JavaScript libraries.
libraries can be accessed by a hosted 2. Dynamic Tag Management exports the
server-side process. custom JavaScript libraries to Akamai.
Additionally, the libraries are available via web 3. Custom Dynamic Tag Management
download directly from the Dynamic Tag libraries are manually or programmatically
Management interface. moved to the web content server.
4. The target website locally references the
This solution requires either a manual retrieval
custom Dynamic Tag Management
and publication of the Dynamic Tag
libraries.
Management libraries or the creation of an
automated process that pulls the libraries from
Akamai onto the web content server.
You can use more than one hosting option. For example, you might host your staged files using Akamai, but
self-host your production site. Note that each hosting type has its own embed code, and only one embed code
can be added to a page.
Use Dynamic Tag Management to add header and footer code that determines the loading of JavaScript and page
content on your site. You must install both the header and footer code on every page of your site, regardless of the
hosting option used.
Implementing Analytics with Dynamic Tag 40
Management
Because Dynamic Tag Management includes a snippet of code in both your header and footer, you can run rules
at the beginning or end of a page. This ability allows you to implement testing tools and other technologies while
retaining control over tracking your pages.
Dynamic Tag Management creates staging and production embed codes you can use to test your changes in your
staging environment before pushing changes to your production environment.
Important: For a successful implementation, it is critical that you follow these instructions as they appear in
Adobe Help. Specifically, you must place the header code in the <head> section of your document templates.
Also, you must place the footer code just before the closing </body> tag. Placing either of these embed codes
elsewhere in your markup, or using asynchronous methods to append the embed codes, or wrapping the
embed codes in any way, are not a supported implementations of Dynamic Tag Management. The embed
codes must be implemented exactly as provided.
An unsupported implementation will yield unexpected results and prevent Customer Care and Engineering
from assisting with your implementation.
1. In the Dynamic Tag Management interface, open the Embed tab and select your hosting option (such as Akamai),
then toggle the switch to "On."
2. Copy the production header code provided in the Embed tab of Dynamic Tag Management and place it within
the HEAD section of your site HTML.
Implementing Analytics with Dynamic Tag 41
Management
Place the code as close to the <head> tag as possible. This code snippet should be placed on every page of
your live production site.
Note: Production embed code reflects only the published items in that property. However, embed code
for staging reflects all items in the associated property, regardless of the published or unpublished state.
To test unpublished items on your production site, locally enable staging in the console by following the
instructions in Test Unpublished Rules for Akamai Hosting.
3. Copy the production footer code and place it in the BODY section of your site HTML.
Place the code as close to the </body> tag as possible.
4. Copy the staging header and footer code, then repeat the steps above on your staging site.
Note: The difference between production and staging code snippets is the addition of -staging to the
filename in the staging version. The footer code remains the same in staging and production.
If the code was not properly installed, you will see the reference error:
Deploy Adobe Analytics (Standard and Premium) using Dynamic Tag Management by creating the Adobe Analytics
tool and configuring the page code either automatically or manually. The automatic method is recommended for
most users.
Note: For improved visitor tracking, it is strongly recommended that you enable Marketing Cloud ID Service.
Element Description
The type of tool, such as Adobe Analytics.
Tool Type
A descriptive name for this tool. This name displays on the Overview tab under
Tool Name Installed Tools.
Configuration Method Automatic (Recommended): Use dynamic tag management to manage the
configuration. This method enables automatic synchronization of Adobe Analytics
report suites via a Marketing Cloud login or Web Services ID, and manages the
AppMeasurement code.
After the accounts are connected, Dynamic Tag Management pulls the Adobe
Analytics report suite IDs and names into the tool configuration interface, allowing
for increased speed in tool deployment with less possibility for user errors.
Note: You must choose the Automatic option if you are an Adobe Analytics
Premium customer. See Enabling Adobe Analytics Premium below.
Shared secret credentials are located in Admin Tools > Company Settings
> Web Services.
Implementing Analytics with Dynamic Tag 44
Management
Element Description
Developers, see Get Web Service Access to the Enterprise API for help with
obtaining Web Services credentials.
Manual: Manually manage the AppMeasurement code. You can download the
AnalyticsAppMeasurement code from Admin Tools > Code Manager.
Click JavaScript (new) for information about downloading the code locally to copy
and paste in the Edit Code field in Library Management.
The Tracking Server and SSL Tracking Server variables are used for first-party
cookie implementation to specify the domain at which the image request and
cookie is written. For more information, see the Correctly Populate the
trackingServer and trackingServerSecure Variable article.
SSL Tracking Server: Specify the information for your SSL tracking server.
3. Click Create Tool to create the tool and display it for editing.
See Frequently Asked Questions About the Adobe Analytics Tool for additional information about this tool.
1.
Click the icon next to an installed tool from the Overview tab.
2. Edit the fields as desired.
The following table includes only those elements that differ from the elements available when you are creating
an Analytics tool, as described above. However, you can change any element on the page, as described in both
tables.
Implementing Analytics with Dynamic Tag 45
Management
Element Description
Enable Automatic
Note: Enabling this setting changes a manually configured implementation
Configuration to the automatic configuration method described in Configuration Method.
This option lets Dynamic Tag Management automatically retrieve your Adobe
Analytics account's configuration.
Update Credentials Refresh the API, for example, to update report suites associated with a user.
3. (Conditional) Configure the tool further as necessary by following the directions in the links below (General,
Library Management, Global Variables, Pageviews & Content, Link Tracking, Referrers & Campaigns,
Cookies, and Customize Page Code).
4. Click Save Changes.
The following table displays the number of eVars and events available in each Analytics account type:
You add the Adobe Analytics Premium tool using dynamic tag management the same way you add Adobe Analytics
(Standard). In order to get the Analytics Premium functionality (if applicable), you must do the following:
There is no "switch" to enable Analytics Premium functionality. Verification is done behind the scenes by API
checks via the automatic configuration. The additional eVars are added to the UI if the account is authenticated as
an Analytics Premium customer.
Note: If you downgrade to standard Analytics in the future, the added premium eVars that are out of the
standard range will be grayed out in both tools/rules. You can view any configured variables that are now out
of range and make any necessary changes to an in-range variable. You cannot add or edit any of these
out-of-range variables, but you will be able to view them and delete them.
Implementing Analytics with Dynamic Tag 46
Management
General
Field descriptions for the General settings in dynamic tag manager, for deploying Adobe Analytics.
Element Description
Enable EU compliance for Adobe Analytics Enables or disables tracking based on the EU privacy cookie.
You must also have a mechanism to set that cookie to true if you
want a visitor to be able to opt in later:
_satellite.setCookie(sat_track, true");
Tracking Server The domain at which the image request and cookie is written.
See trackingServer.
SSL Tracking Server The domain at which the image request and cookie is written.
Used for secure pages. If not defined, SSL data goes to
trackingServer.
See trackingServerSecure.
Data Center The Adobe data center used for data collection.
Implementing Analytics with Dynamic Tag 47
Management
Library Management
Descriptions of the fields and options in the Library Management settings in Dynamic Tag Management.
Note: If more than one Adobe Analytics tool is used in a single web property, each tool must have a unique
tracker variable name. Duplicative object variable names between Adobe Analytics tools within a single web
property will cause conflicts.
Element Description
Page code is already present Prevents Dynamic Tag Management from installing Adobe Analytics page code if
the code is already present on your site.
This feature allows you to use Dynamic Tag Management to add to your existing
implementation rather than starting from scratch. Be sure to properly set your
tracker variable name when checking this box.
Load library at <Page Top or Specifies where and when to load the page code. Regardless of your selection,
Page Bottom> any rules using the Analytics tool will need to have the same setting.
Library Version: Select the latest version from the Library Version menu. Dynamic
tag management notifies you when new versions are available. You can revert to
a previous version as necessary.
Set report suites using custom code below: When this box is checked, Dynamic
Tag Management looks for a variable in your custom code called s_account. This
variable should contain a comma-separated list of the report suites to which you
want to send data.
Element Description
Tracker Variable Name: If you want to run two instances of Adobe Analytics in
parallel (one within Dynamic Tag Management and one natively), you can rename
the main s object. Renaming the object name avoids collisions.
Insert AppMeasurement code when manually deploying Dynamic Tag Management in Adobe Analytics.
1. On the Adobe Analytics tool page, expand the General section, then click Open Editor.
2. Unzip the AppMeasurement_JavaScript*.zip file you downloaded in deploy Adobe Analytics.
If you opt for custom library, when you open the window it will already have the most recent code version present.
There is no need to download the zip from the Admin Console.
3. Open AppMeasurement.js in a text editor.
4. Copy and paste the contents into the Edit Code window.
5. Adobe recommends adding the following code above the Do Not Alter Anything Below This Line:
var s = new AppMeasurement();
s.account = "[insert account name]";
var s_account=s.account
Important: If you add this code, it is recommended that you also select the Set report suites using
custom code below checkbox in the overall library settings.
Global Variables
Field descriptions and information about variables when using Dynamic Tag Management to deploy Adobe Analytics.
These variables fire on all page load rule beacons. You can accomplish the same effect by using a Page-Load rule
set to fire on all pages. These variables might not fire inDirect-Call and Event-Based rules.
Element Description
Server The predefined variable populates the Servers report in Adobe Analytics.
See server.
eVars The eVar variables are used for building custom conversion reports.
See eVarN.
Props Property (prop) variables are used for building custom traffic reports.
See propN.
Dynamic Variable A special prefix to the start of the value. The default prefix is "D=".
Prefix
See Dynamic Variables.
Element Description
Page Name
The name of each page on your site.
See pageName.
See pageURL.
See channel.
Hierarchy
Determines the location of a page in your site's hierarchy.
See hierN.
Implementing Analytics with Dynamic Tag 50
Management
Link Tracking
Field descriptions in Dynamic Tag Management for link tracking when deploying Analytics.
Element Description
Enable ClickMap
Determines whether visitor click map data is gathered.
See s.trackInlineStats.
See s.trackDownLoadLinks.
Download Extensions
If your site contains links to files with any of the listed extensions, the URLs of these
links will appear in reporting.
See s.linkDownloadFileTypes.
See s.trackExternalLinks.
Single-Page App Considerations: Because of the way some SPA websites are
coded, an internal link to a page on the SPA site might look like it is an outbound
link.
You can use one of the following methods to track outbound links from SPA sites:
If you do not want to track any outbound links from your SPA, insert an entry into
the Never Track section.
All # links to this host are ignored. All outbound links to other hosts are tracked,
such as http://www.google.com.
If there are some links that you want to track on your SPA, use the Always Track
section.
For example, if you have a spa/#/about page, you could put "about" in the Always
Track section.
The "about" page is the only outbound link that is tracked. Any other links on the
page (for example, http://www.google.com) are not tracked.
See s.linkLeaveQueryString.
Implementing Analytics with Dynamic Tag 51
Management
Element Description
Referrer Override
Overrides the value set in the s.referrer variable, which is typically populated by
the referrer set in the browser.
See referrer.
Campaign
A variable that identifies marketing campaigns used to bring visitors to your site.
The value of campaign is usually taken from a query string parameter.
See campaign.
Use the DTM interface to choose whether you want to use a Query String or Value (which could pull from a data
element):
You can either enter your query string directly in the interface, or you can reference a separate data element if you
have other means of tracking a campaign.
Cookies
Field descriptions for the Cookies global settings used for deploying Dynamic Tag Management in Adobe Analytics.
Element Description
Visitor ID
Unique value that represents a customer in both the online and offline systems.
See visitorID.
Visitor Namespace
Variable to identify the domain with which cookies are set.
See visitorNamespace.
Implementing Analytics with Dynamic Tag 52
Management
Element Description
Domain Periods
The domain on which the Analytics cookie s_cc and s_sq are set by determining
the number of periods in the domain of the page URL. This variable is also used
by some plug-ins in determining the correct domain to set the plug-in's cookie.
See s.cookieDomainPeriods.
FP Domain Periods
The fpCookieDomainPeriods variable is for cookies set by JavaScript (s_sq, s_cc,
plug-ins) that are inherently first-party cookies, even if your implementation uses
the third-party 2o7.net or omtrdc.net domains.
See s.fpCookieDomainPeriods.
Transaction ID
Unique value that represents an online transaction that resulted in offline activity.
See transactionID.
Cookie Lifetime
Determines the life span of a cookie.
See s.cookieLifetime.
Element Description
Open Editor You can insert any JavaScript call that must be triggered before the final s.t() call, which is
contained in the s_code.
Execute Before UI settings: Interface settings take precedence over the custom code (for example,
if you want to override an eVar if a setting in the interface was enabled).
Question Answer
Where do I put my plugins when If using DTM to manually host the s_code, plugins can be added in the same
implementing Adobe Analytics via editor as the hosted s_code, just as it would be in a typical Adobe Analytics
DTM? implementation.
However, it is also an option to place the plugins in the editor within the
Customize Page Code section of the tool settings. Both implementation
methods should be equally effective.
If I switch from manual library Any user code that you have specified is overwritten with the base
management to Managed by Adobe, AppMeasurement library. You must move this code to the new Custom Page
will my current settings or code be Code section at the end of the tool configuration so that the code continues
affected? executing. This method allows the AppMeasurement library to be managed
(and upgraded) separately from the user's custom code.
Potential Pitfalls
There is a small chance that the integration could cause data collection issues if you currently use Adobe Analytics.
These issues could arise only if you publish your library to production subsequent to the release. (Production code
remains intact until publishing occurs.)
If you want to change a manual configuration to automatic, edit a tool and click Enable Automatic Configuration.
After you create the web property, it is available for editing on the Web Properties tab on the Dashboard.
Activating the web property is not required
3. Add an Adobe Analytics tool to the property:
a) On the Web Properties tab, click the property.
b) On the Overview tab, click Add a Tool.
c) From the Tool Type menu, select Adobe Analytics.
Implementing Analytics with Dynamic Tag 55
Management
Element Description
Tool Type The Marketing Cloud solution, such as Analytics, Target, Social, and so on.
Tool Name The name for this tool.This name displays on the Overview tab under Installed
Tools.
Production Account ID A number for your production account for data collection. Dynamic Tag
Management automatically installs the correct account in the production and
staging environment.
Staging Account ID A number used in your development or test environment. A staging account
keeps your testing data separate from production.
For staging, you can leave the default Amazon hosting option.You can change it if needed before your production
rollout.
9. (Optional) Click Settings ( ) on the Options tab, and configure the Adobe Analytics code.
Note: The settings on the Adobe Analytics page (General, Cookies, and so on) override settings in your
s_code. If these settings exist in your s_code, there is no need to reiterate them here.
Note: The name is referenced by the rules builder, not an ID. If you change the
name of the Data Element , you must change its reference in every rule that uses
it.
Type
Specifies where the data is pulled from, such as JS Object, CSS Selector, Cookie, URL
Parameter, or Custom Script.
Depending on which type you select, different options display. See Types of Data Elements
in the Dynamic Tag Management Product Documentation for more information and
examples.
Default Value
A default element. This value ensures that the data element always has a value, even if
a URL parameter does not exist or cannot be found by Dynamic Tag Management.
Note: If there is no value and no default value, then nothing is returned. Any variable
referencing that data element won't get set. Note also that the default value field is
ignored if it's a "custom code" data element.
Force lowercase
Dynamic Tag Management automatically makes the value lowercased.
value
Remember this
How long you want Dynamic Tag Management to remember this value.
value for
Valid values include:
Session: Session-based timing can vary depending on the implementation. Session
data elements are set to the session cookie. However, this setting could be based on
Implementing Analytics with Dynamic Tag 57
Management
Option Description
a web server or the browser. It is not related to the session used in marketing reports
& analytics.
Pageview
Visitor
See Data Elements in the Adobe Tag Management Product Documentation for more information about how to
use data elements.
5. Click Save Data Element.
The category field is only for your own organizational purposes and is not required. You can delete categories
by clicking the x icon in the category.
7. Set Up Actions for the Condition to Trigger.
1. Select the type of interaction you want to track, such as mouse clicks, or submitting a form.
Implementing Analytics with Dynamic Tag 58
Management
For more information, see Event Types in the Adobe Tag Management Product Documentation.
2. Enable the following options as necessary:
Element Description
Delay Link Activation Enable if the event activates a link and you want the link to delay until the
event has time to fire.
Apply event handler directly to Applies the event handler to the specific element that is targeted. This
element setting is tied to the bubbling and layering concept in a browser.
For example, when you click an image inside an anchor tag like <a href="abc.html"><img
src="xyz.png"/></a>, you might expect the click to be associated with the anchor tag, because the tag is in
the bubble stream. However, when you inspect the click in the developer tools, the click may actually affect only
the <img> tag. To ensure that the event is handled correctly, associate the click with the <img> tag and do not
depend on the browser to bubble up the click to a parent element. An event like a click can potentially bubble up
Implementing Analytics with Dynamic Tag 59
Management
to <body>. It is important to understand where the event is actually bound, and target it specifically to make sure
that the rule fires correctly.
Bubbling means that the event is first captured and handled by the inner most element and then propagated to
outer elements.
3. Indicate the name of the tag you want to track, and additional properties the tag has that you want to match.
See Using the CSS Selector in the Dynamic Tag Management Product Documentation for information about
finding the correct element tag.
4. Select and set up any additional criteria or condition types you wish to bind to the rule.
Implementing Analytics with Dynamic Tag 60
Management
Want related interactions on child elements of the rule Allow events on child elements to bubble.
selector you identified to fire the rule.
Want to prevent bubbling when the child element already Do not allow if child element already triggers
triggers its own event. event.
Don't want the events of the rule selector you identified to Do not allow events to bubble upwards to
go beyond the element itself in the event hierarchy. parents.
In the Conditions dialog, specify the string that will be passed to _satellite.track() in your direct call, without
quotes.
Note: If you specify the string that will be passed to _satellite.track() in your direct call using the UI,
as described above, do not use quotation marks. If you insert customized page code using the editor, you
must use quotation marks.
After setting up the condition, you must set up the actions that you want the condition to trigger. These actions can
include Analytics events, third-party tags, and custom scripts. This example describes how to set up scripts or
third-party tags.
Beyond integrated tools like Adobe Analytics and Google Analytics, Dynamic Tag Management can trigger any type
of JavaScript or inject HTML into your site, in select pages or in specific scenarios.
Each rule can trigger as many scripts or HTML injections as you want.
Note: Because DTM allows you to inject custom code into your page, please take care not to create cross-site
scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities (see OWASPs guide for more info). Using data elements within a script requires
particular attention. Always assume data element values might come from an untrusted source.
1. Click JavaScript / Third Party Tags to add a new script to your rule.
4. Specify how you want the script to trigger, and paste the desired content into the text
r a
Implementing Analytics with Dynamic Tag 65
Management
5. Click Save Code, and the script will be added to the queue for the
u r
The following steps show how to test without using the Switcher plugin:
Note: This section describes the legacy method of implementing Analytics. All Analytics customers have
access to Dynamic Tag Management which is the standard method to deploy Marketing Cloud tags.
Implementation Steps
To successfully implement a page with code to collect data, you must have access to your hosting servers to upload
new content to your website. It is also useful to have an existing site to implement code.
Update
Copy the Example AppMeasurement.js Code and paste it at the beginning of
AppMeasurement.js.
your AppMeasurement.js file. At a minimum, update the following variables:
s.account="INSERT-RSID-HERE"
s.trackingServer="INSERT-TRACKING-SERVER-HERE"
s.visitorNamespace = "INSERT-NAMESPACE-HERE"
s.visitor = Visitor.getInstance("INSERT-MCORG-ID-HERE")
See Correctly populate the trackingServer and trackingServerSecure variable
or contact Client Care if you are unsure about any of these values. If they are
not set correctly, data will not be collected by your implementation.
Host
These core JavaScript files must be hosted on a web server that is accessible
AppMeasurement.js
and VisitorAPI.js. to all pages on your site. You need the path to these files in the next step.
Reference
Include the Visitor ID Service by adding the following line of code in the <head>
AppMeasurement.js
and VisitorAPI.js on or <body> tag on each page. VisitorAPI.js must be included before
all site pages. AppMeasurement.js:
<script language="JavaScript" type="text/javascript"
src="http://INSERT-DOMAIN-AND-PATH-TO-CODE-HERE/VisitorAPI.js"></script>
Caching
The JavaScript file is cached in the visitor's browser after it is initially loaded, and is typically downloaded no more
than once per session. The file is not downloaded on each page, even though it is used by every page on the site.
On most websites, users average more than a few page views per session, so transferring JavaScript that is used
multiple times into this file can result in less overall downloaded data.
The following links help explain how you can use GZIP functionality on your site to handle compression of the
s_code.js JavaScript code:
This section contains example code for your core JavaScript file and the pages on your site.
Important: This example uses the visitor ID service, which is deployed as part of your Implementing Analytics
Using JavaScript. Enabling the visitor ID service in AppMeasurement before you have included the Visitor API
JavaScript file on all site pages could result in duplicate visitor counts. To avoid duplicate visitor counts, make
sure that you understand and follow the process described in Visitor ID Service.
For new implementations, you can paste the following global configuration code at the beginning of
AppMeasurement.js to get started:
//initialize AppMeasurement
var s_account="INSERT-RSID-HERE"
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 68
var s=s_gi(s_account)
}
s.doPlugins=s_doPlugins */
s.zip=""
s.events=""
s.products=""
s.purchaseID=""
s.eVar1=""
s.eVar2=""
s.eVar3=""
s.eVar4=""
s.eVar5=""
var s_code=s.t();if(s_code)document.write(s_code)//--></script>
Make sure that you have also included a reference to AppMeasurement.js and VisitorAPI.js on each page. See
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript for instructions.
AppMeasurement for JavaScript is a new library that provides the same core functionality of s_code.js, but is
lighter and faster for use on both mobile and desktop sites.
Initialization process
Call s_gi(), passing the report suite ID to initialize an AppMeasurement instance:
var s_account="INSERT-RSID-HERE"
var s=s_gi(s_account)
When s_gi is called, if an AppMeasurement instance does not exist for the specified s_account, a new instance is
created. Otherwise the existing instance is returned. This helps avoid creating duplicate objects for the same account.
Utilities
JavaScript AppMeasurement provides the following built-in utilities:
Util.cookieRead
Util.cookieWrite
Util.getQueryParam
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 70
Clear Vars
A new clearVars method is available to clear the following values from the instance object:
props
eVars
hier
list
events
eventList
products
productsList
channel
purchaseID
transactionID
state
zip
campaign
For example:
s.clearVars()
Benefits
3-7x faster than H.25 code.
Only 21k uncompressed and 8k gzipped (H.25 code is 33k uncompressed and 13k gzipped).
Native support for several common plugins ().
Small and fast enough to be used with mobile sites, and robust enough to be used on the full desktop web, allowing
you to leverage a single library across all web environments.
Note: We recommend migrating to the Marketing Cloud ID Service when you migrate to AppMeasurement
for JavaScript.
Tested Plug-ins
The following plug-ins were tested and verified as compatible:
appendList
crossVisitParticipation
userAgentManager
getTimeParting
join
split
getDaysSinceLastVisit
getNewRepeat
getTimeToComplete
manageVars (requires s.pt plugin utility)
channelManager
Cookie Combining Utility
getPageName
Untested Plug-ins
The following plug-ins should continue to work since the underlying functionality is still supported, but they have not
been tested and verified as compatible. You should test these plug-ins in your development environment before
migration.
getActionDepth
getAndPersistValue
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 72
getCookiesAccepted
getValOnce
Unsupported Plug-ins
These plug-ins are not supported and no longer function due to their use of functionality that no longer exists in the
new AppMeasurement for JavaScript library.
callBack
channelExtract
detectRIA
deviceOrientationChanges
DynamicObjectIDs
Form Analysis
manageQueryParam
HTML5Storage
How it Works
AMPs have specially tagged HTML pages cached around the web on different content delivery networks (CDNs) of
participating technology partners and publishers. By doing this, AMP content is delivered from the closest possible
source with the lowest possible latency. This creates an analytics challenge because you can never be 100% sure
where a publisher's content will be loaded from, and third-party cookies are troublesome for visitor identification.
In addition, to dramatically reduce page weight and speed page load time, AMPs restrict the use of JavaScript and
cookies. While this is advantageous for your mobile device because it reduces the amount of processing, it introduces
challenges to accurately measuring unique visitors and understanding user acquisition and retention.
To solve these problems, Adobe has collaborated with AMP partners and publishers on two options that a publisher
can choose from to best suit their business needs, both using the amp-analytics tag. The first approach uses the
"adobeanalytics" tracking template to construct the Analytics request directly from within the AMP. The second
approach uses the "analytics_nativeConfig" tracking template, which uses an iframe containing the
AppMeasurement code you deploy on your normal site. The following table gives you an idea of the pros and cons
of each approach.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 73
In the following code example, there are two triggers defined: pageLoad and click. The pageLoad trigger will fire
when the document becomes visible and will include the pageName variable as defined in the vars section. The
second trigger click will fire when a button is clicked. eVar 1 will be set for this event with the value button
clicked.
<amp-analytics type="adobeanalytics">
<script type="application/json">
{
"requests": {
"myClick": "${click}&v1=${eVar1}",
},
"vars": {
"host": "metrics.example.com",
"reportSuites": "reportSuiteID",
"pageName": "Adobe Analytics Using amp-analytics tag"
},
"triggers": {
"pageLoad": {
"on": "visible",
"request": "pageView"
},
"click": {
"on": "click",
"selector": "button",
"request": "myClick",
"vars": {
"eVar1": "button clicked"
}
}
}
}
</script>
</amp-analytics>
In the click trigger, you can specify a selector to ensure that whenever the specific DOM element is clicked (in this
case, any button), the buttonClick request is fired and will be automatically set to denote this hit as a non-stage
event (i.e. trackLink call).
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 74
Additionally, amp-analytics supports a number of variable substitutions so that AMP can provide data values that
it is aware of. You can learn all about those and more by visiting: amp-analytics variable documentation.
Be aware that if you want to incorporate any technology or DOM variables (such as browser, screen size, device,
referrer, etc.) you will have to explicitly add them to any request, as they are not automatically generated for you.
Documentation on each of our available query string parameters used for tracking can be found here.
If you inspect the hits created by amp-analytics, you will notice that in each request, Adobe has included the vid
query parameter. We set the vid based on a built-in AMP function to set a custom Analytics cookie ID named
adobe_amp_id. This ID is independent of any other ID being set by Adobe Analytics elsewhere (e.g.s_vi cookie)
and creates new visitors in any report suite the hits are sent to.
There are a few caveats to be aware of. When using the amp-analytics tag as mentioned above, visitors will be
independent of your normal tracking, and because the AMP can be loaded from any content delivery network, you
will get a unique visitor for each CDN a visitor sees this AMP on (hence the visitor inflation mentioned previously).
For this reason, Adobe recommends that if you use the "adobeanalytics" template for amp-analytics, you put
your data into a separate report suite specific to AMP. Also, the Marketing Cloud ID service (formerly, visitor ID
service) is not supported using this method, so if your business requires additional Marketing Cloud integrations, or
will in the future, this is probably not the option for you.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, this amp-analytics solution requires that the tracking server you specify in
the vars section matches the tracking server on your main site, so that your existing privacy policy controls are
respected. Otherwise, you must create a separate privacy policy just for AMPs.
},
"vars": {
"host": "statshost.publishersite.com"
},
"extraUrlParams": {
"pageName": "Adobe Analytics Using amp-analytics tag",
"v1": "eVar1 test value"
}
}
</script>
</amp-analytics>
This approach sends data to a utility web page via special query string parameters added to the iframeMessage
request parameter. In this case, notice that we have added the ampdocUrl AMP variable, and the documentReferrer
to the query string parameters pageURL, and refer respectively to the iframeMessage request above. These extra
query string parameters can be named whatever you like, as long as your stats.html page (shown below) is
configured to collect the appropriate data from them.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 75
The "adobeanalytics_nativeConfig" template also adds query string parameters based on the variables listed
in the extraUrlParams section of the amp-analytics tag. In this case, you can see we have specified the pageName
and v1 parameters , which will be used by our stats.html page.
Be aware that you can only use a single amp-analytics template at a time and can not use the "adobeanalytics"
template as well as the "adobeanalytics_nativeConfig" template on the same AMP. If you attempt to do so, you
might see an error in the browser console, and you will erroneously inflate your visitor count.
<html>
<head>
<title>Stats Test</title>
<script language="JavaScript" type="text/javascript" src="VisitorAPI.js"></script>
<script language="JavaScript" type="text/javascript" src="AppMeasurement.js"></script>
<html>
<head>
<title>Stats Test</title>
<script language="JavaScript" type="text/javascript" src="VisitorAPI.js"></script>
<script language="JavaScript" type="text/javascript" src="AppMeasurement.js"></script>
</head>
<body>
<script>
var v_orgId = "1234567@PublisherOrg";
var s_account = "reportSuite";
var s_trackingServer = "metrics.publisher.com";
var s_visitorNamespace = "publisherNamespace";
var visitor = Visitor.getInstance(v_orgId);
visitor.trackingServer = s_trackingServer;
var s = s_gi(s_account);
s.account = s_account;
s.trackingServer = s_trackingServer;
s.visitorNamespace = s_visitorNamespace;
s.visitor = visitor;
s.pagename = s.Util.getQueryParam("pageName");
s.eVar1=s.Util.getQueryParam("v1");
s.campaign=s.Util.getQueryParam("campaign");
s.pageURL=s.Util.getQueryParam("pageURL");
s.referrer=s.Util.getQueryParam(ref);
s.t();
</script>
</body>
</html>
As shown above, you can use or link to your existing VisitorAPI.js and AppMeasurement.js (as in our
example), or whatever your existing implementation uses, then add the correct configuration parameters. To capture
the correct values into the correct variables, you can use the provided s.Util.getQueryParam function to grab the
value(s) that you passed in from the iframeMessage URL and set the appropriate variables, just as you would on
a typical page. If you use tag management software like Adobe's Dynamic Tag Manager, the query string parameters
should be straightforward to capture. In this case, s.pageName is set to the value we passed in the query string
parameter pageName. Here, the page name would be set to Adobe Analytics Example 2.
Important: Due to restrictions on iframes in the AMP framework, your stats.html page must be hosted
on a separate subdomain from the domain the AMP itself is hosted on. The AMP framework does not allow
for iframes from the same subdomain that the AMP page itself exists on. For example, if your AMP is hosted
on amp.example.com, be sure to host your stats.html page on a separate subdomain such as
ampmetrics.example.com or something similar.
Because the utility page is hosted on your original site, no additional work is needed to support your existing privacy
policy across all AMPs. This means that if an end user opts out of tracking on your primary site, they are also opted
out of tracking on all your AMPs, with no additional steps required. Using this utility page also means that AMP can
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 76
support Adobe's Marketing Cloud ID service so that you can integrate the measurement captured on your AMPs
with the rest of the Marketing Cloud (for targeted advertising using Adobe Audience Manager for example).
To reiterate, if your organization is not yet using the Marketing Cloud ID service (or has tag management software
like Adobe's Dynamic Tag Manager), you can tag the stats.html page however you want. Use your existing
implementation as a reference point. The only difference from your standard implementation is that you will get the
applicable data points from the amp-analytics iframeMessage URL (or document.URL from within the stats.html
page ) for each of the variables you want to set. Also, if you want to use any of the AMP specific variables (as
mentioned above) like the AMP referrer or AMP page URL, please include them in the iframeMessage object as
shown in our example above.
As flexible as this solution is, there are caveats. Due to inherent restrictions in the amp-analytics iframeMessage,
it can only be loaded on a page load once. This means you will not be able to do link tracking or video tracking with
the "adobeanalytics_nativeConfig" template. Moreover, some DOM values that are typically captured automatically
by our AppMeasurement code, such as referrer (which impacts the Search Engine Keyword reports, Referrer,
and Referrer Type reports, or may include a marketing campaign tracking code) will have to be passed manually to
the iframeMessage using whatever AMP variables are available. For this reason, Adobe recommends setting a
custom variable with the value AMP if you put AMP data into an existing report suite, so that you can segment out
AMP traffic when viewing the aforementioned reports. That said, standard technology reports, such as browser,
device, screen size or resolution, should work automatically.
Finally, because the iframe loads as a separate page and fully executes the JavaScript on that page, the AMP is
not as lightweight as the AMP standard intended. To be clear, this does not affect page load time (the iframe loads
after the page is done loading), but the CPU and network will be doing slightly more than they otherwise would,
which might impact scrolling smoothness. In practice, we have not seen a large impact, but we are working with
Google to minimize the user experience impact of this approach.
Summary
If you need click tracking and don't mind visitors being counted as entirely new visitors separate from your site, use
the "adobeanalytics" tracking template, with our recommendation that you put the data into a separate report
suite. If you need the Marketing Cloud ID service, do not want visitor or visit inflation, and are okay with only firing
Analytics on page load, we recommend using the "adobeanalytics_nativeConfig" solution.
Adobe Analytics is excited to partner with Google and our publishers to bring industry leading analytics capabilities
to publishers on the mobile web in a blazing fast user experience. Although these two solutions currently offer their
own tradeoffs, we are committed to building the best long term solution to answer the evolving analytics needs our
customers have.
The AMP Project is moving fast and changes occur frequently, so check back here frequently for updates to our
examples. What we've shown you here should be enough to get started, but expect changes as we improve our
integrations further and as more publishers adopt AMP over time.
If you have questions or problems, please reach out to your Adobe Consultant or Customer Care.
Question Answer
Is video tracking available for either Unfortunately, not yet. The AMP standard supports only triggers for "visible",
the "adobeanalytics" or "click", and "timer", and does not yet support explicit triggers for video tracking
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 77
Question Answer
"adobeanalytics_nativeConfig" that can be listened to by the amp-analytics tag. Also, because the
template? "adobeanalytics_nativeConfig" tag can only be loaded once, it is not
compatible with video viewing which occurs after the AMP has loaded.
You mention that visitor inflation is There is only one scenario in which visitor/visit inflation will occur:
lower for the
A visitor using Safari and who has never been to publisher.com's site visits
"adobeanalytics_nativeConfig"
an AMP page for the first time, then later visits publisher.com's normal
template in your comparison. What
(non-AMP) site.
does that mean? What would cause
visitor inflation in the In this scenario, the visitor would be counted as two visitors in Analytics,
"adobeanalytics" solution? assuming the AMP and the main site are in the same report suite. However,
if the visitor had been to publisher.com's main site before visiting the AMP,
it will still count as only one visitor in reporting.
Should I use a separate report suite We recommend using a separate report suite for AMPs if you use the
for AMPs? adobeanalytics template, because of the visitor/visit inflation issue. However,
we will also set the JavaScript version to "AMP vX.X" from the amp-analytics
tag template so that you can segment that traffic out of a combined report
suite if necessary.
What is the Marketing Cloud ID The Marketing Cloud ID Service (formerly visitor ID service) enables Marketing
service? Do I need it? Cloud core services and allows integrations between different Adobe
Marketing Cloud solutions. If you have integrations with Adobe Audience
Manager or Adobe Target, you are likely using this service. This service is
also the foundation for many upcoming Adobe Analytics features. If you need
ID service support or will need it in the future, we recommend using the
iframeMessage solution.
For the The AMP standard does not allow for iframes to load from the exact domain
"adobeanalytics_nativeConfig" and subdomain of the AMP itself. As such, we recommend that you host the
template, where should I host my utility page on a separate subdomain from your main site, especially if your
utility page? company has its own CDN that plans on caching AMPs. For maximum
compatibility, pick a subdomain such as ampmetrics.publisher.com
that is apart from where the actual AMP content will reside.
Isn't this similar to Facebook Instant Facebook Instant Articles support a similar solution to the nativeConfig
Articles? How do I setup Adobe solution outlined above. In fact, the stats.html page created above can serve
Analytics with Facebook Instant your analytics needs for both AMP and FIA simultaneously. For more
Articles? information on implementing tracking on FIA, see Facebook Instant Articles
Facebook Instant Articles is a new method for publishers to build fast, interactive articles on Facebook. Instant
Articles can load content up to 10 times faster than mobile web.
Adobe Analytics can be embedded within the Facebook Instant Articles to track visitor behavior as they interact with
the content. Because publisher content is within the Facebook app and not on the publisher's websites, the tagging
approach is slightly different than a standard Analytics implementation.
//Instantiation
var visitor = Visitor.getInstance(v_orgId);
visitor.trackingServer = s_trackingServer;
var s = s_gi(s_account);
s.account = s_account;
s.trackingServer = s_trackingServer;
s.visitorNamespace = s_visitorNamespace;
s.visitor = visitor;
//Custom Variables
s.pageName = s.Util.getQueryParam("pageName");
s.prop10 = "Facebook Instant Article";
1. It is recommended to host the latest copies of unmodified versions of the VisitorAPI.js and AppMeasurement.js
on a common directory on your company's web servers.
These files can also be downloaded from within the Code Manager in the Analytics UI if required.
2. Include your Analytics implementation standard configuration variables:
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 79
You can also dynamically send variables to the iframe by leveraging query string parameters in the iframe src
attribute. For example:
<iframe class="no-margin"
src="http://[your-domain-here]/analytics.html?prop1=dynamic%20article%20title&eVar1=facebook%20page%20name&pageName=your%20page%20name%20here&cmpId=your%20campaignID%20here"
height="0"></iframe>
Those query string parameters can subsequently be set in the custom variables section of your analytics HTML
JavaScript by using the Util.getQueryParam function within the default AppMeasurement library, as follows:
s.pageName = s.Util.getQueryParam("pageName");
s.campaign = s.Util.getQueryParam("cmpId");
s.eVar1 = s.Util.getQueryParam("eVar1");
s.prop1 = s.Util.getQueryParam("prop1");
Visitor Tracking
As long as the Analytics HTML page is hosted on your web server, Adobe can support your existing privacy policy
across all Facebook Instant Articles. This means that if an end user has opted out of tracking on your primary site,
they will also be opted out of tracking on all your Facebook Instant Articles, with no additional steps required. Using
this utility page also means that the Marketing Cloud ID service (visitor ID) is supported so that you can integrate
the metrics and variables captured on your Facebook Instant Articles with the rest of the Marketing Cloud. (An
example is for targeted advertising using Adobe Audience Manager).
Tracking Limitations
There are few issues that should be noted with this approach. Any DOM values that are typically only accessible
via JavaScript on the Facebook Instant Article (such as referrer) will not be retrievable in the iframe for tracking.
However, standard technology reports like browser, device, screen size or resolution should work normally. Moreover,
the pageURL can be obtained by referencing document.referrer from your utility page.
What's Next?
Adobe Analytics is excited to partner with Facebook and our publishers to bring industry leading analytics capabilities
to publishers on the mobile web in a blazing fast user experience. We are committed to building the best long term
solution to answer the evolving analytics needs our customers have.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 80
The Facebook Instant Article project is moving quickly and changes are happening all the time, so check back with
us frequently for updates. Expect changes as we improve our integrations further and as more publishers adopt
Facebook Instant Articles in the future.
If you have questions or problems, please reach out to your Adobe Consultant or Customer Care.
Location Options
Web Browser
All Marketing Cloud customers have access to Dynamic Tag Management, which is the
standard for deploying JavaScript and HTML page tags for all solutions to your website.
Other ways of implementing JavaScript and HTML measurement are described in the
Analytics Implementation Guide.
Web Server
You can use native PHP and Java libraries on your web server to send analytics data.
The Data Insertion API lets you send XML data directly to the data collection server using
HTTP POST and GET, and Data Sources lets you send delimited hit data directly to
Analytics.
PHP AppMeasurement
Java AppMeasurement
Data Insertion API
Data Sources
Mobile Device
Native libraries are provided for iOS, Android, Windows Phone 8, Blackberry, Symbian,
and others.
iOS AppMeasurement 4.x (latest version)
iOS AppMeasurement 3.x
Android AppMeasurement 4.x (latest version)
Android AppMeasurement 3.x
Windows Phone 8 AppMeasurement 3.x (latest version)
Blackberry AppMeasurement
Symbian AppMeasurement
Silverlight, .NET, XBOX, and Windows Phone 7 AppMeasurement
Flash
Flash apps using ActionScript can be measured on the desktop and on the web.
Location Options
Silverlight, .NET, XBOX, and Windows Phone 7 AppMeasurement
Video
Video measurement across all platforms is available in the following guides:
Heartbeat video measurement (latest version)
Milestone video measurement
HTML Code This portion consists of JavaScript code that is placed in HTML pages (or
templates) that set the value of JavaScript variables.
JavaScript Library
This file contains common code that:
Queries the browser about various properties, such as JavaScript version,
OS version, the size and resolution of monitor being used, and other variables
Encodes and concatenates all the variables into an image request (<img>)
that transports these variables to the data collection servers. It then references
a JavaScript library file which is loaded and executed.
<noscript> tag A simplified version of the image request is placed within a <noscript> tag that
executes if the user has disabled JavaScript, or does not have JavaScript
capabilities. This part of the implementation is optional and generally applies
to approximately 2% of the Internet population.
JavaScript can detect browser settings that are not available to a server, such as browser window height/width,
monitor resolution, and Netscape plug-ins. By using a server-side method to create an image tag, these variables
cannot be captured. The JavaScript sets a random number in the image request to overcome browser and proxy
server caching. This allows all page views to be accurately tracked. In certain situations, server-side code has
advantages over the JavaScript-based code, including the following:
JavaScript is very accurate (98-100%). There are times when the utmost accuracy is desired, even in situations
where a user quickly clicks to another page before the JavaScript has executed. Creating the image tag server-side
increases the accuracy level by several percentage points.
For tracking conversion events, such as purchases, where accuracy is very important.
This strategy may also be used to fully populate the image request within the <noscript> tag for tracking users
without JavaScript, or with JavaScript disabled.
Note: The use of server-generated image tags requires additional time to implement, and is more difficult to
debug, deploy, and maintain. Adobe strongly encourages clients to use JavaScript-based data collection on
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 82
every page where possible. Various reports and features, including visitor click map, download links, exit links,
and browser-based variables (browser width/height, etc.) cannot be collected or supported using this
implementation method.
There are additional requirements and configurations for implementing Analytics without JavaScript.
You can view sample code to further understand the implementation. The following table outlines the additional
requirements and configurations:
Requirement Description
Case-Sensitive The parameter names (pageName, purchaseID, and so forth) are
case-sensitive and will not properly record data unless they appear as
designated in the table displayed in Data Collection Query Parameters.
Encode Query Parameters
The values for each of the query string parameters must be URL encoded.
URL encoding converts characters that are normally illegal when appearing
in a query string, such as a space character, into an encoded character
beginning with %. For example, a space character is converted into %20.
Maximum Variable Length Each variable has a maximum length. This length is specified for each
variable in Analytics Variables. Exceeding the maximum length for a
variable causes the value of this variable to be truncated for storage and
display in Analytics.
Invalid Characters Characters with character codes above decimal 128 are invalid, as are
not-printing character codes under 128. HTML formatting ("<h1>") is also
invalid, as are trademark, registered trademark, and copyright symbols.
Secure (https:> vs. Non-Secure (http:)
On pages that are accessed via https (secure protocol), the URL portion
Image Requests
of the image request changes to accommodate a different set of data
collection servers.
The following table illustrates the different URLs used for secure and
non-secure image requests.
Protocol URL
https: https://namespace.<data
center-specific>.207.net/b/ss/ reportsuite
/1/G.5--NS/
Requirement Description
The * in the URL above denotes a data-center specific URL that is provided
to you by your Adobe Consultant. Adobe uses several data centers, and
it is necessary to implement the correct URL your organization has been
assigned. Any code downloaded out of Admin Console within your company
account has the correct data center supplied automatically. Code provided
from external sources may need to be corrected in order to point to the
correct data center.
For clients who use multiple report suites, they should be listed only in the
directory section, and not the domain section of the URL, as shown below.
Protocol URL
The * in the URL above denotes a data-center specific URL that is provided
to you by your Adobe Consultant. Adobe uses several data centers, and
it is necessary to implement the correct URL to which your organization
has been assigned.
URL and Referring URL The URL and Referring URL may be populated from the server in the g=
and r= variables. Use the Request ServerVariables (HTTP_REFERRER)
or Request ServerVariables (URL) (IIS/ASP), or the appropriate variable
for your server/scripting technology. The referring URL (r=) is extremely
important for tracking referring URLs, domains, search engines, and search
terms.
If pageName is not being used, it is imperative that the Current URL field
is uniquely populated. If neither pageName nor Current URL (g=) is
populated, the record is invalid and is not processed. At a minimum, the
URL is a required field in order to process the record.
Effects of Caching
HTML and other Web pages can be cached by browsers or servers that
are between the visitor and the website that is serving the content. Caching
prevents an accurate count of page views and other events unless a
"cache-busting' technique is employed.
Requirement Description
SSL (https:) pages are not, by definition, ever cached so this warning
applies only to non-secure (http:) pages. Additionally, pages with
parameters (http://www.samplesite.com/page.asp?parameter=1)
or certain file extensions (.asp, .jsp, etc.) are also not cached.
nameSpace Variable
The nameSpace query string parameter is required for non-JavaScript
implementations.
Example: ns=nameSpace
Contact your Adobe Consultant or Account Manager to obtain your
organization's nameSpace value.
Sample Code
Examples to illustrate the use of a server-generated image tag within a HTML sample page.
The table below displays the values used in the sample.
Variable Value
pageName Order Confirmation
Current URL https://www.somesite.com/cart/confirmation.asp
events purchase,event1
c1 Registered
purchaseID 0123456
products Books;Book Name;1;19.95
state CA
zip 90210
a random # 123456
Example 1
The example below displays a server-side image tag. The highlighted random number prevents caching of the
image.
<html>
<head>
</head>
<body>
Order Confirmation<br>
Thanks for your order #0123456.
<img src="https://102.112.207.net/b/ss/suite1,suite2/1/G.4--NS/123456?pageName=Order%20
Confirmation&events=purchase%2Cevent1&c1=Registered&purchaseID=0123456&products=Books%3BBook%20Name%3B1%3B19.95&state=CA&zip=90210&g=https%3A//www.somesite.com/cart/confirmation.asp"
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 85
Example 2
The example below shows a minimal JavaScript image tag.
<html>
<head>
</head>
<body>
Order Confirmation<br>
Thanks for your order #0123456.
<script language="javascript"><!
s.s_date = new Date();
s.s_rdm = s.s_date.getTime();
s.s_desturl="<img width=\"1\" height=\"1\"
src=\"https://102.112.207.net/b/ss/suite1,suite2/1/G.4--NS/" + s.s_rdm +
"?pageName=Order%20Confirmation&events=purchase%2Cevent1&c1=Registered
&purchaseID=0123456&products=Books%3BBook%20Name%3B1%3B19.95&state=CA&zip=90210&g=http
s%3A//www.somesite.com/cart/confirmation.asp\">";
document.write(s.s_desturl);
//--></script>
</body>
</html>
WAP and I-Mode are the two major protocols or standards used today. WAP is mostly used in the US, and I-Mode
is popular in Japan and Europe.
Sites must often be designed separately for different protocols. The Adobe image tag does not need to be customized
for each protocol.
WAP 1.0 WAP 1.0 is quickly losing popularity in the US. This required pages be built in WML, and had
its own protocol.
WAP 2.0 Most phones are WAP 2.0 compliant, meaning they support XHTML MP (a mobile version of
XHTML).
I-Mode
I-Mode supports CHTML (compact HTML) and does not download third-party images. First-party
collection domain implementations should always be used with I-Mode sites so images are
downloaded.
When a mobile device requests a page from a Web server, the request is sent through a gateway, which converts
the mobile request (usually in the WAP or I-Mode protocol) into an HTTP request that is sent to a Web server.
When a mobile device requests a page from a Web server, the request is sent through a gateway, which converts
the mobile request (usually in the WAP or I-Mode protocol) into an HTTP request that is sent to a Web server. The
Web server responds to the gateway, which forwards the request to the phone. This gateway acts much like a
standard proxy server. The gateway does, however, pass the user agent string of the mobile device on to the Web
server. This lets the Web server respond with a page that is built specifically for the device requesting it.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 86
Because screen size on WAP mobile devices is so limited, mobile pages are very light, often containing only text
and one cached image. When the image tag is added to the pages, a request is sent on every page for an image
from Adobe servers. When the image, a WBMP, is returned, Adobe servers instruct the browser not to cache it.
Consequently, the image is requested again on subsequent pages. The random number described above should
be used to protect against browsers that do not obey the Adobe no-cache directives.
Mobile tracking code is placed on the page in the form of a server-generated image tag.
Mobile tracking code is placed on the page in the form of a server-generated image tag. Because scripting languages
like JavaScript and WMLScript are not generally supported across mobile devices, the tracking beacon cannot be
generated dynamically via a scripting language.
While the mobile beacon image is actually 2x2 pixels, to ensure support for all mobile devices, you should set
height and width properties to 5. For example:
<img sr c="http://metric.mydomain.com/b/ss/<Report_Suite_Name>/5/<random_number>?pageName="
alt="" width="5" height="5"/>
It is important that the /5/ always appears correctly in the path. This is used by Adobe servers to identify mobile
devices. If the standard /1/ is used, Adobe servers attempt to set a cookie on the mobile device.
Because mobile devices are tracked via a beacon, just like other visitors, most reports are available and correct.
VISTA can be used to alter data collected from both Mobile and standard methods. All CustomInsight (prop and
eVar), Event, Site Traffic, and Pathing reports are supported.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 87
The r query string parameter must include the protocol of the referrer. If the protocol is left off, the referrer report
is not populated. For example, use r=http://msn.com not r=msn.com.
Domains are also based on the IP address of the gateway, which means the domains report often contains the name
of the carrier who owns the gateway. Due to Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs), this may not be accurate.
Connection Types
Adobe maintains a known range of IP addresses that belong to mobile carriers. When a hit is received from an IP
range that belongs to a known mobile carrier, the hit appears as "Mobile Carrier" on the Connection Type Report.
Otherwise, mobile traffic is listed under "Lan/Wifi".
Time Zones, Cookies, Java, JavaScript, Monitor Colors and Resolutions, Browser Width and Height, and
Netscape Plug-ins
These reports are all collected by using JavaScript to detect specific settings of the browser. Because JavaScript
is not used to create the image beacon on mobile devices, data collected from mobile users is not included in these
reports.
Many mobile device users download files to their devices such as podcasts, ring tones, and similar files. Because
many mobile devices do not support JavaScript, link measurement must be implemented through redirects. To use
redirects, you must modify the href links in the html to include the REDIR element. The general format for a custom
link is as follows:
http://<your_Namespace>.112.2o7.net/b/ss/<RSID>/4/REDIR/
?url=<destination_URL>&pe=<link_type>&pev1=<current_URL>&pev2=<link_name>
For more information, see the Exit Link Tracking Redirects whitepaper.
Important:
In September 2013, Adobe launched Dynamic Tag Management (DTM) as an included core service of the
Adobe Marketing Cloud. As part of our ongoing commitment to expand and add continued value to the DTM
platform, Adobe Tag Manager (ATM) will be discontinued, and customers will be transitioned to DTM. The
advantages of DTM include significantly improved integrations with Adobe marketing solutions and the overall
Marketing Cloud, improved tag performance, and powerful rule-based controls over when and how your tags
are deployed.
We want to make this transition as smooth as possible, so here is what you need to know about our transition
plan:
Starting August 1, 2015, you will no longer be able to edit your tags or containers in ATM. You will still be
able to log into the application to view and export existing tags and containers, and your tags will continue
to be served. However, if you want to make changes, you will need to deploy DTM on your site(s) and
transition these tags to DTM.
Starting October 1, 2015, the ATM application will become unavailable and your tags will no longer be served.
If you have not transitioned your sites away from ATM by this date, it is possible that your website visitors
may experience errors. It is critical that you transition prior to this date. Adobe will begin sending periodic
reminders between now and this date to remind you to begin the migration process as soon as possible.
See Migrating from Adobe Tag Manager for information about migrating to DTM from ATM versions 1.0 and
2.0.
This section describes the architecture of tag management and changes to the architecture from version 1.0.
Before tag management, an Analytics implementation included a JavaScript file that you hosted on your website,
called s_code.js. Each page included a snippet of code that leveraged this core JavaScript file. When updates
were released or if you wanted to use an additional module or plug-in, the JavaScript file had to be updated. Target,
AudienceManager, and other products used a similar process.
With tag management, you now place a snippet of code on your pages, and all tags are loaded directly from tag
management, including any core JavaScript required. Tag updates and new tag deployments are managed in the
tag management UI.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 89
Tag management 1.0 leveraged existing script tagging and page code from legacy Analytics implementations. Tag
management 1.0 replaced the contents of the s_code.js file with a tag container. This architecture simplified
deployment since page code updates weren't required, but it had several limitations.
In tag management 2.0, the loader and tag containers are hosted on the Adobe CDN and are managed by tag
management. To deploy tag management 2.0, you must update the page code on your pages. With these changes,
you can deploy multiple Adobe Marketing Cloud products with the same page code and are enabled to quickly deploy
new functionality when it is added to the product.
Tag Container Environments
Tag management provides a dev, stage, and live environment for each tag container. Each environment has a
separate current version and revision history.
Tag management uses the same page code for each environment. This lets you test multiple code versions on the
same site without requiring page-level changes. You can use these environments to align with your existing release
process. For example, your development team can use the dev version of the tag container to test changes directly
on your live site without impacting the live version.
The cookie can be set using the bookmarklets available in the tag management interface. If your browser does not
support adding the bookmarklet, you can manually create a bookmark by copying and pasting the URL:
javascript:document.cookie='s_tagEnv=dev;%20path=/';void(0)
These bookmarklets can be used to quickly switch between the current versions in each environment.
If you browse to a site that includes the tag loader without setting the dev cookie, an attempt is made to load the
live version. Since there isn't a version in live, the tag container is not found and the loader fails gracefully.
If a tag container fails to load make sure the dev cookie is set correctly or that you have promoted a live version of
the tag container.
Tag Processing Order
By default, most tag management tags are executed asynchronously. This provides a number of performance
benefits, since your page continues to load while tags execute. However, there are some cases where you need to
load and execute a tag synchronously, such as with an implementation of Adobe Target. Synchronous loading was
added as an option in tag management 2.0 to provide for this use case.
When a page loads, tag management inserts all synchronous tags defined in a tag container at the location of the
page code, which should be placed directly after the opening <body> tag.
These synchronous tags are executed in order in the main processing thread. Asynchronous tags are executed in
separate threads, and multiple asynchronous scripts might be executed in parallel depending on the browser.
For example, in the previous diagram, synchronous tag 1 executes before synchronous tag 2. Asynchronous tags
can be executed in any order, depending on how long they take to execute and the processing architecture of the
browser. In the previous diagram, asynchronous tag 2 might complete before asynchronous tag 1, but might complete
after synchronous tag 2.
If you need more control over tag execution, you can also execute code based on tag events. See amc.on Tag Event
Callbacks.
This section contains an overview of the tasks required to deploy tag management.
Define Tags
After you create a new tag container, the Edit Tags page displays. This page is where you add product tags and
add any custom code.
Keep the following key concepts in mind as you create and deploy a tag container:
Tag containers are hosted on a CDN. Each time a new revision is deployed it takes several minutes to propagate
to the edge nodes.
Tag Containers are optimized to use asynchronous loading where possible to improve performance. If variables
are not being populated or resources are not being found, make sure the code is inserted in the correct location
or if necessary, switch to synchronous loading.
Each tag container has a dev, stage, and live environment. New tag containers are created with a dev version
only. You must set a cookie to load the dev version. See Tag Container Environments.
For details on product deployment, see Marketing Cloud Deployment.
If you are an existing Analytics, Target, or Media Optimizer customer migrating to tag management, see Migrating
to tag management 2.0 from a Legacy Implementation.
If you are an existing tag management 1.0 customer migrating to tag management 2.0, see Migrating to tag
management 2.0 from tag management 1.0.
Variables and other properties are set in the UI in the Tag Code or in the On Load section of the tag container. If
you include code that is dependent on tag code outside of the tag manager interface, code must be wrapped in
amc.on Tag Event Callbacks.
<!-- example, do not copy - each tag container has unique page code -- >
<!-- Adobe Marketing Cloud Tag Loader Code
Copyright 1996-2013 Adobe, Inc. All Rights Reserved
More info available at http://www.adobe.com/solutions/digital-marketing.html -->
<script type="text/javascript">//<![CDATA[
var amc=amc||{};if(!amc.on){amc.on=amc.call=function(){}};
document.write("<scr"+"ipt type=\"text/javascript\"
src=\"http://www.adobetag.com/d1/v2/amc.js\"></sc"+"ript>");
//]]></script>
<!-- End Adobe Marketing Cloud Tag Loader Code -->
The custom page code for each Tag Container is available in the interface by clicking Get Page Code.
Note: Tag Containers cannot be deleted or renamed after they are created.
Tag management provides a migration wizard and tag backward compatibility to help migrate from tag management
1.0.
The migration process is designed to keep your live tag management 1.0 implementation operational throughout
the migration. The following table contains details on each of the migration steps:
Step 3 Tag
Create a 2.0 Revision Manager UI Create a 2.0 revision of the tag container and migrate your
tags. See 1.0 to 2.0 Tag Mapping.
Step 5 Tag
Promote to Live Manager UI When testing is complete, promote the 2.0 tag container
to the live environment.
The tag management 1.0 guide is available for reference during your migration.
Important: Do not edit the page code in your live environment until you have completed Step 5 and have
deployed a 2.0 tag container to live and verified the deployment status.
Replace your existing 1.0 page code with the 2.0 page code in a dev environment. The 2.0 page code should be
inserted directly after the opening <body> tag. For now, the 2.0 page code continues to reference the 1.0 tag container.
After the new page code is deployed, click the I have deployed the Page Code button.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 96
Because of the new structure of tag management 2.0 containers, you need to recreate your 1.0 tags using 2.0 tags.
See 1.0 to 2.0 Tag Mapping.
Promote to Live
When testing is complete, promote the 2.0 tag container to the live environment. After you have verified that the tag
container is deployed to live, you can update the page code in your live environment.
1.0 to 2.0 Tag Mapping
This section describes how to migrate from each tag management 1.0 tag to a tag management 2.0 tag.
Product Code
Copy all of the code from the 1.0 tag to the 2.0 tag.
Locate the mboxOnLoad function in your 1.0 Target tag. Copy the
contents of this function to the matching function in the On Load
section of the 2.0 tag.
Demdex AudienceManager
The 2.0 AudienceManager tag delivers the required JavaScript library
and plug-ins for Audience Manager.
Copy your implementation code from the 1.0 Demdex Tag Code
section to the 2.0 AudienceManager Tag Code section.
Javascript Javascript
Copy all of the code from the 1.0 tag to the 2.0 tag and recreate the
Firing Rules.
IFrame IFrame
Copy all of the code from the 1.0 tag to the 2.0 tag and recreate the
Firing Rules.
The following process describes the steps required to migrate from a legacy implementation to tag management.
If you are currently using tag management 1.0, see Migrating to tag management 2.0 from tag management 1.0.
The biggest barrier existing customers face when migrating to tag management 2.0 are references to the s object
within the page itself and within external JavaScript files. Since tag management leverages asynchronous loading
for enhanced performance, you might need to modify how you interact with the s object since you can't guarantee
it is available as the page loads. This also prevents JavaScript errors in the rare case that the CDN is unavailable.
If you need to interact with the s object within the page, for example when a link is clicked or other content is loaded,
use one of the following options:
Instead of placing AppMeasurement for JavaScript code directly in the page, you can place amc.on Tag Event
Callbacks directly in the tag management UI. For example, to track the following custom exit link:
<a href="http://anothersite.com" id="linkExit1">
The following code is added in the On Load section of the Site Catalyst component :
amc.on('domcontentloaded', function () {
var link = document.getElementById('linkExit1');
link.onclick = function() {
s.tl(this,'e','AnotherSite',null,'navigate'); return false;
}
});
When the DOM is loaded and this callback is executed, this code retrieves the link using the ID and attaches the
s.tl call to the link click event.
If you need advanced functionality, you could use a jQuery or similar loop to add similar tracking code to all links on
the page.
If you have only a few locations where you need to interact with the s object, you can wrap calls directly in a callback:
<a href="http://anothersite.com" onclick="var scope=this; amc.on('tagload.analytics',function()
{s.tl(scope,'e','AnotherSite',null,'navigate'); }); return false;">
The <a> object is stored in a variable named scope, which is passed to the s.tl function. When the Analytics tag
is loaded, the event handler is attached.
Aside from the code management difficulties, the biggest drawback is that this link won't function in the rare case
that the tag container can't be loaded from the CDN. For situations where tag unavailabilty prevents interaction with
the page, we recommend adding the event handler in tag management.
})();
Marketing Cloud products are added by selecting the product in the Add Product or Code drop-down list when
editing a tag container.
Analytics
Analytics implementations though tag management support all of the variables and functions available with a legacy
implementation.
For detailed information on implementing Analytics, see the Analytics Implementation Guide.
Setting Description
Accounts Select one or more report suites to receive the data that is sent by this tag.
Secure Server (Optional) If you have a secure server URL, provide it here. Leave it blank to default to
the non-secure server URL.
Character Set Select the character set used by your report suite.
Currency Code Select the currency code used by your report suite.
Instance Variable If your instance variable name has changed from the default, provide the new variable
name.
When a new version of AppMeasurement for JavaScript is release, you are prompted to upgrade the next time you
edit.
JavaScript Video Measurement
Video measurement code is placed in the code block in the Video Tracking section.
Implementation details on measuring video are included in the Measuring Video in Analytics guide.
Survey
Integration with Survey is provided through the Survey module. After you add the module, you can define any
additional settings required by your implementation.
See Standard Survey Implementations on the Web.
s.loadModule("Survey")
var s_sv_dynamic_root = "delivery.d1.sv.omtrdc.net/survey/dynamic"
var s_sv_gather_root = "collection.d1.sv.omtrdc.net/survey/gather"
Target
Provide your client id when prompted. The necessary dependencies, such as mbox.js are delivered automatically.
You can use the On Load field to deliver a global mbox at the top of the page. You can also leverage amc.on to
control the execution of on-page mbox create function calls.
AudienceManager
The Audience Manager tag delivers the required JavaScript library and plug-ins for Audience Manager.
After adding this tag, place your implementation code in the On Load section of the tag.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 102
Third-party and custom tags are deployed using custom code sections.
Custom code tags can be conditionally executed.
HTML
HTML custom code tags are typically used to deploy third-party tags that use <img>, <script>, or <iframe> elements.
All HTML elements defined in an HTML custom code tag, with the exception of Document.write() in <script>
elements, are appended to the page.
Since you can't specify a location to append tags, custom code tags should not be used to change page content.
JavaScript
Remote scripts are loaded by providing the full URL to the script.
Remote Scripts can be loaded synchronously or asynchronously. If you are loading frameworks, such as jQuery,
that you want to use throughout the page, we recommending loading these scripts synchronously. This ensures that
any functions defined are available to other elements on the page.
Functions and other code defined in script tags cannot be used in the <head> element on the page since that loads
before the page code.
IFrame
IFrame custom code tags are created by providing the full URL to the page to load in the IFrame.
The IFrame element is generated automatically and inserted at the location where the tag loads. Since you can't
specify a location to append tags, custom code tags should not be used to change page content.
Conditional Execution using Firing Rules
Tags defined in custom code tags can be fired conditionally based on matching criteria.
All conditions that you define for a custom code tag must be met for the code to execute. For example, if you provide
a Host Match and Path Match, both conditions must match.
Match strings in contains and does not contain conditions are case-sensitive.
Assign Permissions
Admin > User Management > Groups> Click a group.
Tag management permissions can be assigned to any custom group or any individual members of a custom group.
To avoid errors due to asynchronous tag loading and rare cases of CDN unavailability, you should use the tag event
callbacks provided by amc.on to wrap any code that depends on tags delivered by tag management.
Since this object is defined on the page, any code that is contained in amc.on event callbacks fails silently if the tag
container does not load for any reason.
Callback Events
Instead of relying on browser execution order, tag management provides an interface that lets you execute code
based on tag events. This lets you deliver tags asynchronously to optimize performance, and still execute additional
code after a tag loads or when other events occur.
tagload.tagid For the events starting with tag (tagload, tagappend, tagignore) hierarchical event names
are supported. This means that the id of the tag can be added after the event name.
tagappend.tagid
tagignore.tagid
Don't confuse these events with the DomContentLoaded or the onload events from browser. These events can be
triggered before or after the events triggered by the browser.
Note: Any code using the amc.on method should be added in the page after the page code. Code that depends
on tags that are delivered by tag management should not be placed in the <head> element.
Examples
The following examples are based on a tag container that has 2 components:
Load
amc.on('load', function (event, data) {
// Here we can add code that will be triggered once all the tags have been loaded by tag
management.
// For set eVars, props, events, and then call s.t(). You can also do this directly
// in tagmanager UI if you don't need page elements
});
Tag Load
amc.on('tagload', function (event, data) {
//called twice. Once for Analytics, and once for Target
});
You can find out the component for which the event was triggered by looking at the data object. This callback is for
advanced users who need complex functionality. For example, you might have 10 tags to add in the page, but want
to define an action when only 3 of them are loaded, independent of the other 7.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 105
This callback is triggered when the tag with the ID of analytics has been loaded by the browser. This is the same
as placing the code in the On Load section of the Analytics tag in the tag management UI (assuming your Analytics
tag has an id of 'analytics').
For example, if you need to place code that is dependent on Analytics in the Target tag, you can add code similar
to the following in the On Load section of the Target tag:
var mboxServerHost='omniture.tt.omtrdc.net;'
(function mboxOnLoad() {
})();
amc.on('tagload.analytics', function () {
//place code here that will run after Analytics and Target are loaded
});
If you need to call s.t on the page instead of within the On Load section in the Analytics tag, the call should be
contained within two callbacks. The first when the Analytics tag is loaded, and the second when the DOM is loaded:
amc.on('tagload.analytics', function (matchedmessage, data) {
amc.on('domcontentloaded', function () {
if (s) {
s.pageName = document.getElementById('pagetitle').innerHTML;
s.t();
}
});
});
This method is used if you need to interact with the DOM before making the tracking call.
Troubleshooting
Confirm that a tag revision is deployed in the environment you are testing.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 106
If not, use the environment bookmarklets to set the environment cookie, or define the cookie using a debugger:
name: s_tag_Env
host: your hostname
path: /
expiration: session
value: dev, stage, or live
If the page code is present but the tag container is not loading on some of your pages, verify that the bucket_id in
your page code matches the bucket_id in amc.js:
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 108
To get the bucket_id of a tag container, click Get Page code and find the bucket_id. Confirm that the bucket ID
of this page code matches the page code you deployed.
Analytics provides a number of variables to collect Analytics data. For example, the value in the pageName variable
is the name of the Web page being reported. This section lists the variables that are supported by AppMeasurment.
For a listing of how each variable appears in Analytics reports, see Variables - How They Are Used in Reporting.
To resolve this issue, move all configuration variables above the doPlugins function.
/************************** CONFIG SECTION **************************/
/* Ensure these variables are correct before deploying */
var s_account="[INSERT-REPORT-SUITE-ID-HERE]"
var s=s_gi(s_account)
s.trackingServer="[INSERT-TRACKING-SERVER-HERE]"
s.visitorNamespace="[INSERT-VISITOR-NAMESPACE-HERE]"
s.charSet="ISO-8859-1"
s.currencyCode="USD"
s.trackDownloadLinks=true
s.trackExternalLinks=true
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 109
s.trackInlineStats=true
s.linkDownloadFileTypes="exe,zip,wav,mp3,mov,mpg,avi,wmv,doc,pdf,xls"
s.linkInternalFilters="javascript:,three,two,one,dev16,.,nike"
s.linkLeaveQueryString=false
s.linkTrackVars="None"
s.linkTrackEvents="None"
s.debugTracking=true
s.usePlugins=true;
function s_doPlugins(s) {
//add your custom plugin code here
}
s.doPlugins=s_doPlugins;
/*
============== DO NOT ALTER ANYTHING BELOW THIS LINE ! ===============
Configuration Variables
Configuration variables set in the AppMeasurement.js.
Configuration variables control the way data is captured and processed in reporting. The most-common configuration
variables that are typically set in the main global JavaScript (AppMeasurement.js). These variables can be set
within the Reports & Analytics page-level code and links when appropriate.
Not all of these variables appear in the code by default when you generate code through the Admin Tool > Code
Manager. Some of these configuration variables may not be applicable to your site's implementation needs.
Note: AppMeasurement requires that all configuration variables are set before the initial call to the track
function, t(). If configuration variables are set after the call to t(), unexpected results may occur. To ensure
proper data collection, all configuration variables must be above the doPlugins function.
s.account
The s.account variable determines the report suite where data is stored and reported.
If sending to multiple report suites (multi-suite tagging), s.account may be a comma-separated list of values. The
report suite ID is determined by Adobe.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 110
Parameters
Each report suite ID must match the value created in the Admin Console. Each report suite ID must be 40 bytes or
less, but the aggregate of all report suites (the entire comma-separated list) has no limit.
The report suite is the most fundamental level of segmentation in reporting. You can set as many report suites as
your contract allows. Each report suite refers to a dedicated set of tables that are populated in Adobe's collection
servers. A report suite is identified by the s_account variable in your JavaScript code.
Within Analytics, the site drop-down box in the upper left of the reports displays the current report suite. Each report
suite has a unique identifier called a report suite ID. The s_account variable contains one or more report suite IDs
to which data is sent. The report suite ID value, which is invisible to Analytics users, must be provided or approved
by Adobe before you use it. Every report suite ID has an associated "friendly name" that can be changed in the
report suites section of the Admin Console.
The s_account variable is normally declared inside the JavaScript file (s_code.js). You can declare the s_account
variable on the HTML page, which is a common practice when the value of s_account may change from page to
page. Because the s_account variable has a global scope, it should be declared immediately before including Adobe's
JavaScript file. If s_account does not have a value when the JavaScript file is loaded, no data is sent to Analytics.
Adobe's DigitalPulse Debugger displays the value of s_account in the path of the URL that appears just below the
word "Image," just after /b/ss/. In some cases, the value of s_account also appears in the domain, before 112.2o7.net.
The value in the path is the only value that determines the destination report suite. The bold text below shows the
report suites that data is sent to, as it appears in the debugger. See Adobe Debugger.
http://mycompany.112.207.net/b/ss/mycompanycom,mycompanysection/1/H.1-pdv-2/s21553246810948?[AQB]
Examples
var s_account="mycompanycom"
var s_account="mycompanycom,mycompanysection"
When the s_account variable is a comma-separated list (multi-suite tagging), do not put spaces between report
suite IDs.
If s.dynamicAccountSelection is set to 'True,' the URL is used to determine the destination report suite. Use the
DigitalPulse Debugger to determine the destination report suite(s).
In some cases, VISTA can be used to alter the destination report suite. UsingVISTA to re-route or copy the data
to another report suite is recommended when using first-party cookies, or if your site has more than 20 active report
suites.
Always declare s_account inside the JS file or just before it is included.
s.dynamicAccountSelection
The dynamicAccountSelection variable lets you dynamically select the report suite based on the URL of each page.
Examples
s.dynamicAccountSelection=true
s.dynamicAccountSelection=false
Configuration Settings
None
s.dynamicAccountList
AppMeasurement for JavaScript can dynamically select a report suite to which it sends data. The dynamicAccountList
variable contains the rules used to determine the destination report suite.
This variable is used in conjunction with the dynamicAccountSelection and dynamicAccountMatch variables. The
rules in dynamicAccountList are applied if dynamicAccountSelection is set to 'true,' and they apply to the section of
the URL specified in dynamicAccountMatch.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 112
If none of the rules in dynamicAccountList matches the URL of the page, the report suite identified in s_account is
used. The rules listed in this variable are applied in a left-to-right order. If the page URL matches more than one
rule, the left-most rule is used to determine the report suite. As a result, your more generic rules should be moved
to the right of the list.
Only standard ASCII characters should be used in the string (no spaces).
Examples
s.dynamicAccountList="mysuite2=www2.mycompany.com;mysuite1=mycompany.com"
s.dynamicAccountList="ms1,ms2=site1.com;ms1,ms3=site3.com"
Configuration Settings
None
s.dynamicAccountMatch
The dynamicAccountMatch variable uses the DOM object to retrieve the section of the URL to which all rules in
dynamicAccountList are applied.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 113
This variable is only valid when dynamicAccountSelection is set to 'True.' Since the default value is
window.location.host, this variable is not required for Dynamic Account Selection to work. For additional
information, see dynamicAccountList.
The rules found in dynamicAccountList are applied to the value of dynamicAccountMatch. If dynamicAccountMatch
only contains window.location.host (default), the rules in dynamicAccountList apply only to the domain of the
page.
Description Value
Domain (default) window.location.host
Path window.location.pathname
Query String (window.location.search?window.location.search:"?")
Domain and Path window.location.host+window.location.pathname
Path and Query String window.location.pathname+(window.location.search?window.location.search:"?")
Full URL window.location.href
Examples
s.dynamicAccountMatch=window.location.pathname
s.dynamicAccountMatch=window.location.host+window.location.pathname
Configuration Settings
None
s.dynamicVariablePrefix
The dynamicVariablePrefix variable allows deployment to flag variables, which should be populated dynamically.
Cookies, request headers, and image query string parameters are available to be populated dynamically.
Examples
s.prop1="D=User-Agent
s.charSet
The charSet variable translates the character set of the Web page into UTF-8.
If the charSet variable contains an incorrect value, the data in all other variables are translated incorrectly. If JavaScript
variables on your pages (e.g. pageName, prop1, or channel) contain only ASCII characters, charSet does not need
to be defined. However, if the variables on your pages contain non-ASCII characters, the charSet variable must be
populated.
Parameters
The charSet variable is used to identify the character set of the page. For more information on character sets, see
the Multi-byte Character Sets white paper before using the charSet variable.
Examples
s.charSet="ISO-8859-1"
s.charSet="SJIS"
s.currencyCode
All monetary amounts are stored in a currency of your choice. If that currency is the same as that specified in
currencyCode, or currencyCode is empty, no conversion is applied.
If your site allows visitors to purchase in multiple currencies, you should use the currencyCode variable to make
sure revenue is stored in the appropriate currency. For example, if the base currency for your report suite is USD,
and you sell an item for 40 Euros, you should populate the currencyCode with "EUR" on the HTML page. As soon
as data collection receives the data, it uses the current conversion rate to convert the 40 Euros to its USD equivalent.
Populating the currencyCode variable on the HTML page instead of in the JavaScript file is recommend if you sell
in multiple currencies. If you want to use your own conversion rates rather than the conversion rates used by Adobe,
set the currencyCode to equal the base currency of your report suite. You then convert all revenue before sending
it into Analytics.
Currency conversion applies to both revenue and any currency events. These are events that are used to sum
values similar to revenue, such as tax and shipping. The revenue and currency events are specified in the products
string. For more information on products, see events. For more details on how currencies are managed, see
Multi-Currency Support..
Examples
s.currencyCode="GBP"
s.currencyCode="EUR"
Configuration Settings
Adobe Customer Care can change the default currency setting for your report suite. When you change the base
currency for a report suite, the existing revenue in the system is not converted. All new revenue values will be
converted accordingly.
s.cookieDomain
The cookieDomain variable determines the domain on which the Analytics cookies s_cc and s_sq are set.
Commonly, s.cookieDomainPeriods is used to generate s.cookieDomain from window.location.hostname.
Instead of using s.cookieDomainPeriods, you can explicitly set s.cookieDomain to what you want to use in your
implementation. For example, you could set cookies at the fully qualified page-name using:
s.cookieDomain = window.location.hostname;
s.cookieDomainPeriods
The cookieDomainPeriods variable determines the domain on which the Analytics cookies s_cc and s_sq are set
by determining the number of periods in the domain of the page URL. This variable is also used by some plug-ins
in determining the correct domain to set the plug-in's cookie.
The default value for cookieDomainPeriods is "2". This is the value that is used if cookieDomainPeriods is omitted.
For example, using the domain www.mysite.com, cookieDomainPeriods should be "2". For www.mysite.co.jp,
cookieDomainPeriods should be "3".
If cookieDomainPeriods is set to "2" but the domain contains three periods, the JavaScript file attempts to set cookies
on the domain suffix.
For example, if setting cookieDomainPeriods to "2" on the domain www.mysite.co.jp, the s_cc and s_sq cookies
are created on the domain co.jp. Because co.jp is an invalid domain, almost all browsers reject these cookies.
As a consequence, visitor click map data is lost, and the Visitor Profile > Technology > Cookies report indicates
that almost 100% of visitors reject cookies.
If cookieDomainPeriods is set to "3" but the domain contains only two periods, the JavaScript file sets the cookies
on the subdomain of the site. For example, if setting cookieDomainPeriods to "3" on the domain www2.mysite.com,
the s_cc and s_sq cookies are created on the domain www2.mysite.com. When a visitor goes to another subdomain
of your site (such as www4.mysite.com), all cookies set with www2.mysite.com cannot be read.
Note: Some cloud computing services are considered Top-Level Domains, which do not allow cookies to be
written. (For example, *.compute.amazonaws.com, *.herokuapp.com, *.googlecode.com, and so
on.) If you implement on those services, you could potentially be affected by Analytics privacy setting that
removes users who have blocked all cookies if you don't have your own domain set up (for example, if you're
testing your implementation). In this case, any hit where the system has determined that cookies are disabled,
non-functional, or inaccessible is opted out and thus excluded from reporting.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 117
Examples
Setting the variable manually:
s.cookieDomainPeriods = "3";
Several examples to dynamically set the variable if your core JavaScript file hosts both types:
document.URL.indexOf(".co.") > 0 ? s.cookieDomainPeriods = "3" : s.cookieDomainPeriods = "2";
s.cookieDomainPeriods = "2";
var d=window.location.hostname;
if(d.indexOf(".co.uk") > 0 || d.indexOf(".com.au") > 0)
{s.cookieDomainPeriods = "3";}
s.cookieDomainPeriods = "2";
if(window.location.indexOf(".co.jp") > 0 || window.location.indexOf(".com.au") > 0)
{s.cookieDomainPeriods = "3";}
s.fpCookieDomainPeriods
The fpCookieDomainPeriods variable is for cookies set by JavaScript (s_sq, s_cc, plug-ins) that are inherently
first-party cookies even if your implementation uses the third-party 2o7.net or omtrdc.net domains.
The fpCookieDomainPeriods variable should never be dynamically set . If you use cookieDomainPeriods, it is good
practice to specify a value for fpCookieDomainPeriods as well. fpCookieDomainPeriods inherits the
cookieDomainPeriods value. Note that fpCookieDomainPeriods does not affect the domain on which the visitor ID
cookie is set, even if your implementation treats this as a first-party cookie.
The name "fpCookieDomainPeriods" refers to the number of periods (".") in the domain when the domain begins
with "www." For example, www.mysite.com contains two periods, while www.mysite.co.jp contains three periods.
Another way to describe the variable is the number of sections in the main domain of the site (two for mysite.com
and three for mysite.co.jp).
The AppMeasurement for JavaScript file uses the fpCookieDomainPeriods variable to determine the domain with
which to set first-party cookies other than the visitor ID (s_vi) cookie. There are at least two cookies affected by
this variable, including s_sq and s_cc (used for visitor click map and cookie checking respectively). Cookies used
by plug-ins such as getValOnce are also affected.
Examples
s.fpCookieDomainPeriods="3"
s.fpCookieDomainPeriods="2"
Configuration Settings
None
s.cookieLifetime
The cookieLifetime variable is used by both JavaScript and data collection servers in determining the lifespan of a
cookie.
If cookieLifetime is set, it overrides any other cookie expirations for both JavaScript and data collection servers, with
one exception, described below. The cookieLifetime variable can have one of three values:
Analytics Cookies
Cookies
JavaScript Settings and Plugins
Examples
s.cookieLifetime="SESSION"
s.cookieLifetime="86400" // one day in seconds
Configuration Settings
None
s.doPlugins
The doPlugins variable is a reference to the s_doPlugins function, and allows the s_doPlugins function to be called
at the appropriate location within the JavaScript file.
The s_doPlugins function is called each time any of the following occurs:
The t() function is called
The tl() function is called
An exit or download link is clicked
Any page element being tracked by visitor click map is clicked
The doPlugins function is used to run customized routines to gather or alter data. If you are using an object name
other than "s," make sure that the s_doPlugins is renamed appropriately. For example, if your object name is s_mc,
the s_doPlugins function should be called s_mc_doPlugins.
Examples
s.doPlugins=s_doPlugins;
s_mc.doPlugins=s_mc_doPlugins;
Configuration Settings
None
s.trackDownLoadLinks
Set trackDownloadLinks to 'true' if you would like to track links to downloadable files on your site.
If trackDownloadLinks is 'true,' linkDownloadFileTypes is used to determine which links are downloadable files.
The trackDownloadLinks variable should only be set to 'false' if there are no links to downloadable files on your site,
or you don't care to track the number of clicks on downloadable files. If trackDownloadLinks is 'true,' when a file
download link is clicked, data is immediately sent to Analytics. The data that is sent with a download link includes
the link download URL, and visitor click map data for that link. If trackDownloadLinks is 'false,' then visitor click map
data for links to downloadable files on your site is likely to be under reported.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 120
Examples
s.trackDownloadLinks=true
s.trackDownloadLinks=false
Configuration Settings
None
s.trackExternalLinks
If trackExternalLinks is 'true,' linkInternalFilters and linkExternalFilters are used to determine whether any link clicked
is an exit link.
The trackExternalLinks variable should only be set to 'false' if there are no exit links on your site, or if you don't care
to track the number of clicks on those exit links. An exit link is any link that takes a visitor off of your site. If
trackExternalLinks is 'true,' then when you click an exit link, tracking data is immediately sent. The data that is sent
with an exit link includes the link URL, link name, and visitor click map data for that link. If trackExternalLinks is
'false,' then visitor click map data for exit links on your site is likely to be under reported.
Examples
s.trackExternalLinks=true
s.trackExternalLinks=false
Configuration Settings
None
s.trackInlineStats
Examples
s.trackInlineStats=true
s.trackInlineStats=false
Configuration Settings
None
s.linkDownloadFileTypes
Only left-mouse-clicks on a link are counted in the File Downloads report. All file downloads that start automatically
when a page loads, or that are only downloaded after a redirect, are not counted in the File Downloads report.
When you right-click a file and select the "Save Target As..." option, it is not counted in the File Downloads report.
The linkDownloadFileTypes variable may be used to track clicks to RSS feeds. If you have links to RSS feeds with
a .xml or other extension, appending ",xml" to the linkDownloadFileTypes list allows you to see how often each RSS
link is clicked.
Any file extension may be included in the list. Be careful not to include a common file extension, such as htm or
aspx, in linkDownloadFileTypes. Doing so causes an extra image request to be sent for each click, which will be
billed as a primary server call.
Examples
s.linkDownloadFileTypes="exe,zip,wav,mp3,mov,mpg,avi,wmv,doc,pdf,xls"
s.linkDownloadFileTypes="exe,zip,wav,mp3,mov,mpg,avi,wmv,doc,pdf,xls,xml"
Configuration Settings
None
s.linkInternalFilters
The linkInternalFilters variable is used to determine which links on your site are exit links.
It is a comma-separated list of filters that represent the links that are part of the site.
Note: We had previously suggested setting the linkInternalFilters to javascript:. However, this resulted in all
domains being considered external, including the current domain on which the tag resides. If you want several
domains to be considered internal, you can add those, as shown in the examples below.
The linkInternalFilters variable is used to determine whether a link is an exit link, which is defined as any link that
takes a visitor away from your site. Whether the target window of an exit link is a pop-up, or the existing window,
does not affect whether the link appears in the exit links report. Exit links are only tracked if trackExternalLinks is
set to "true". (See Link Tracking in the Dynamic Tag management documentation for information about how DTM
handles exit links.) The filters in linkInternalFilters are not case-sensitive.
The list of filters in linkInternalFilters applies to the domain and path of any link by default. If linkLeaveQueryString
is set to "true", then the filters apply to the entire URL (domain, path, and query string). The filters are always
applied to the absolute path of the URL, even if a relative path is used as the href value.
Be careful that all the domains of your site (and any partners who are using your JavaScript file) are included in
linkInternalFilters. If you do not have all domains included in the list, all links on and to those domains are considered
exit links, increasing the server calls sent. If you would like multiple domains or companies to use a single
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 123
AppMeasurement for JavaScript file, you may consider populating linkInternalFilters on the page, overriding the
value specified in the JavaScript file. If you have vanity domains that immediately redirect to your main domain,
those vanity domains do not need to be included in the list.
The following example illustrates how this variable is used. In this example, the URL of the page is
http://www.mysite.com/index.html.
s.trackExternalLinks=true
s.linkInternalFilters="mysite.com"
s.linkExternalFilters=""
s.linkLeaveQueryString=false
...
<a href="http://www.mysite.com">Not an Exit Link</a>
<a href="/careers/job_list.html">Not an Exit Link</a>
<a href="http://www2.site3.com">Exit Link</a>
<a href="http://www2.site1.com/partners/">Exit Link</a>
Examples
s.linkInternalFilters="mysite.com"
s.linkInternalFilters="mysite.com,mysite.net,vanity1.com"
Configuration Settings
None
s.linkLeaveQueryString
The download file name can be defined in the query string and, consequently, the query string is necessary to make
the File Downloads report more accurate.
The linkLeaveQueryString variable determines whether or not the query string should be included in the Exit Links
and File Download reports.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 124
Note: Setting linkLeaveQueryString=true includes all query string parameters for all exit links and download
links.
Syntax
s.linkLeaveQueryString=[false/true]
Examples
s.linkLeaveQueryString=false
Possible Values
s.linkLeaveQueryString=false
s.linkLeaveQueryString=true
s.linkTrackVars
The linkTrackVars variable is a comma-separated list of variables that are sent with custom, exit, and download
links.
If linkTrackVars is set to "", all variables that have values are sent with link data. To avoid inflation of instances or
page views associated with other variables, Adobe recommends populating linkTrackVars and linkTrackEvents in
the onClick event of a link that is used for link tracking.
All variables that should be sent with link data (custom, exit, and download links) should be listed in linkTrackVars.
If linkTrackEvents is used, linkTrackVars should contain "events."
When populating linkTrackVars, do not use the 's.' prefix for variables. For example, instead of populating linkTrackVars
with "s.prop1," you should populate it with "prop1." The following example illustrates how linkTrackVars should be
used.
s.linkTrackVars="eVar1,events"
s.linkTrackEvents="event1"
s.events="event1"
s.eVar1="value A"
s.eVar2="value B"
s.t() // eVar1, event1 and event2 are recorded
<a href="http://google.com">event1 and eVar1 are recorded</a>
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 125
Because the link to google.com is an exit link (unless you are Google), event1 and eVar1 are sent with the exit link
data, increasing the instances associated with eVar1 and the number of times event1 is fired. In the link to test.php,
eVar1 is sent with a value of 'value C' because that is the current value of eVar1 at the time that tl() is called.
The linkTrackVars variable may contain only variables that are sent to Analytics, namely: events, campaign,
purchaseID, products, eVar1-75, prop1-75, hier1-5, channel, server, state, zip, and pageType.
Examples
s.linkTrackVars="events,prop1,eVar49"
s.linkTrackVars="products"
Configuration Settings
None
s.linkTrackEvents
The linkTrackEvents variable is a comma-separated list of events that are sent with a custom, exit, or download
link.
If an event is not in linkTrackEvents, it is not sent to Analytics, even if it is populated in the onClick event of a link,
as shown in the following example:
s.linkTrackVars="events"
s.events="event1,event2"
s.t() // both event1 and event2 are recorded
<a href="help.php" onClick="s=s_gi('rs1');s.tl(this,'o')">event1 is recorded</a>
<a href="test.php" onClick="s=s_gi('rs1');s.events='event2';s.tl(this,'o')">No events are
recorded</a>
In the first link to help.php, notice that the events variable retains the value that was set before the link was clicked,.
This allows event1 to be sent with the custom link. In the second example, the link to test.php, event2 is not
recorded because it is not listed in linkTrackEvents.
To avoid confusion and potential problems, Adobe recommends populating linkTrackVars and linkTrackEvents in
the onClick event of a link that is used for link tracking.
The linkTrackEvents variable contains the events that should be sent with custom, download, and exit links. This
variable is only considered if linkTrackVars contains "events."
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 126
Only event names are allowed in linkTrackEvents. These events are listed in Events. If a space appears before or
after the event name, the event can not be sent with any link image requests.
Examples
s.linkTrackEvents="purchase,event1"
s.linkTrackEvents="scAdd,scCheckout,purchase,event14"
Configuration Settings
None
s.linkExternalFilters
If your site contains many links to external sites, and you do not want to track all exit links, use linkExternalFilters
to report on a specific subset of exit links.
The linkExternalFilters variable is an optional variable used in conjunction with linkInternalFilters to determine whether
a link is an exit link. An exit link is defined as any link that takes a visitor away from your site. Whether the target
window of an exit link is a popup or the existing window, it does not affect whether the link appears in the exit links
report. Exit links are tracked only if trackExternalLinks is set to 'true.' The filters in linkExternalFilters and
linkInternalFilters are case insensitive.
The filters list in linkExternalFilters and linkInternalFilters apply to the domain and path of any link by default. If
linkLeaveQueryString is set to 'true,' the filters apply to the entire URL (domain, path, and query string). These filters
are always applied to the absolute path of the URL, even if a relative path is used as the href value.
Most companies find that linkInternalFilters gives them enough control over exit links that they don't need
linkExternalFilters. Using linkExternalFilters simply decreases the likelihood that an exit link is considered external.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 127
If linkExternalFilters has a value, then a link is considered only external if it does not match linkInternalFilters and
does match linkExternalFilters.
The following example illustrates how this variable is used. In this example, the URL of the page is
http://www.mysite.com/index.html.
s.trackExternalLinks=true
s.linkInternalFilters="javascript:,mysite.com"
s.linkExternalFilters="site1.com,site2.com,site3.com/partners"
s.linkLeaveQueryString=false
...
<a href="http://www.mysite.com">Not an Exit Link</a>
<a href="/careers/job_list.html">Not an Exit Link</a>
<a href="http://www2.site3.com">Not an Exit Link</a>
<a href="http://www.site1.com">Exit Link</a>
<a href="http://www2.site3.com/partners/offer.asp">Exit Link</a>
Examples
s.linkExternalFilters="partnersite.com,partnertwo.net/path/"
s.linkExternalFilters=""
Configuration Settings
None
s.usePlugins
If the s_doPlugins function is available and contains useful code, s_usePlugins should be set to 'true.'
When usePlugins is 'true,' the s_doPlugins function is called prior to each image request.
Examples
s.usePlugins=true
s.usePlugins=false
The usePlugins variable should only be false (or not declared) if the s_doPlugins function is not declared in your
JavaScript file.
Configuration Settings
None
Note: Context data variables are not case sensitive. For example, the following 2 variables are effectively
identical:
s.contextData['article_title'] = 'Weekend Concert Controversy';
and
s.contextData['ARTICLE_TITLE'] = 'Weekend Concert Controversy';
Using context data helps prevent you from making code updates to support different report suite configurations.
Using processing rules you can add a condition that checks for a myco.rsid context data variable. When this variable
is found, you can add an action to copy it to a prop or eVar.
Context data variables can also be defined directly in the processing rules interface to temporarily store a value, or
to collect values from a context data variable you know will be used on the report suite. For example, if you need to
swap two values, you could create a context data variable to store a value during the swap.
Since processing rules are applied only when data is collected, it is important to set up processing rules before you
start sending context data. Context data values that are not read by processing rules when a hit is processed are
discarded.
Rules
Rule Description
Supported names and characters Context data variable names can contain only alphanumeric characters,
underscores and dots. Any additional characters are stripped out. Context
cata variables do not have a numeric designation. Rather, they are named.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 129
Rule Description
Namespace A good practice is to prefix your variables with your company name, site name,
or a similar value to make sure the name is unique across your report suite.
URL Limits for Internet Explorer You might encounter a older URL limitation for Internet Explorer 6 and 7,
where URLs are truncated at 2000 bytes. You can use the DigitalPulse
debugger to determine the size of a URL string.
Supported AppMeasurement version Context data variables require at least H23 code or higher.
Examples
Possible ways to replace implementation of the s.pageName variable, assuming that processing rules are set up
correctly for each:
For an example, see Copy a Context Data Variable to an eVar in Analytics Reference.
Dynamic Variables
Dynamic variables let you copy values from one variable to another without typing the full values multiple times in
the image requests on your site.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 130
Dynamic variables are used when capturing the same data (for example, campaign tracking codes) in multiple
variables concurrently. This is a common practice in cases where different reports offer unique and important metrics.
For example, capturing internal search keywords in a Custom Conversion variable and in a Custom Traffic variable
lets you view the Revenue and the Weekly Unique Visitors metrics associated with these keywords, respectively.
Dynamic variables are also useful for viewing data under various reporting conditions. A campaign tracking code
can be captured in multiple eVars with various allocation and cookie expiration settings. This lets users choose the
way they want to attribute conversion metrics to these campaigns.
Note: Dynamic variables are not supported in conjunction with cookies (s_cc, s_sq, s_fid, s_vi and any cookie
that is set by a plugin). You can not use D=<cookie value>.
A significant benefit of dynamic variables is the ability to capture long strings of data in multiple variables without
actually passing the long string repeatedly. Some browsers limit the maximum length of HTTP GET requests (including
the Adobe image request). Using dynamic variables ensures that all data is captured by reducing the length of the
request to Adobe servers in cases where data is duplicated across several variables.
In the Adobe image request that occurs on the page view, if you are using dynamic variables to copy the value of
Custom Traffic 1 to Custom Conversion 1, you would see v1=D=c1. If eVar1 received a value previously in the
request, Adobe's servers dynamically copy the value of Custom Traffic 1 to Custom Conversion 1 during data
processing. As a result, the value originally passed using Custom Traffic 1 also appears in the Custom Conversion
1 reports.
Dynamic variables are passed by setting a variable to the desired value and then setting other variables to
D=[variable abbreviation]. For abbreviations for each variable, see Data Collection Query Parameters. Dynamic
variables can pull data from the following locations:
Other query-string variables
HTTP headers (except for the Cookie HTTP header)
To create a dynamic variable, add a special prefix to the start of the value. The default prefix is "D=". There are two
methods of flagging dynamic variables:
Use a default prefix of D= (For example: s.prop1="D=User-Agent" )
For non-JavaScript implementations, you can define a custom prefix using the "D" query-string parameter. For
example, if the query-string parameter is "&D=$", you can create a dynamic variable with the following command:
s.prop1="$User-Agent" .
The variable abbreviation used must match the variable parameter name passed in the image request. Some
variables have multiple accepted parameters used in different cases. For example, pageName= and gn= both pass
the page name, but the latter is most often used in mobile and hard-coded implementations. If the image request
uses pageName= to pass the page name, then D=pageName is acceptable but D=gn is not. If the image request uses
gn=, then D=gn is acceptable, but D=pageName is not.
As with all implementation techniques, Adobe strongly recommends testing dynamic variable implementations
heavily in a development environment before deploying to production. Because the full strings that are copied are
not visible in client-side debugging tools, review the affected Analytics reports to confirm successful implementation.
When copying values between variables with different maximum lengths, note that copying a value that exceeds
the maximum length of the destination variable causes truncation. For example, Custom Traffic variables have
100-character limits and Custom Conversion variables have 255-characters limits. When copying a 150-character
value from s.eVar1 to s.prop1 using dynamic variables, this value is truncated in the Custom Traffic report at
100 characters.
Note: When using the image request to track links, the type of link (download=lnk_d, exit=lnk_e, or custom
link=lnk_o) must be defined, as does the Link URL/Name (pev2). Links require manual implementation by
inserting code within the <a href> tag.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 132
Note: Dynamic variables are not supported in conjunction with cookies (s_cc, s_sq, s_fid, s_vi and any cookie
that is set by a plugin). You can not use D=<cookie value>.
s.eVar1="D=pageName"
Captures the pageName value in eVar1.
s.prop1='D=v2+":"+c2'
Concatenates eVar2:prop2 into prop1.
s.prop1=s.eVar1="D=g"
Passes the page URL into both prop1 and eVar1.
s.eVar1="D=v0"
Captures the campaign in eVar 1.
s.prop1='D=User-Agent+" - "+Accept-Language'
Concatenates the user agent and accept language
headers in prop1.
s.prop1="D=User-Agent"
Captures the user agent in prop1,
/b/ss/rsid/?gn=Home&D=~~&c1=~~v0
/b/ss/rsid/?gn=Home&D=~~&c1=~~campaign Four ways to set prop1 to a campaign
/b/ss/rsid/?gn=Home&c1=D%3dv0%3d is
/b/ss/rsid/?gn=Home&c1=%5b%5bv0%5d%5d%5b
/b/ss/rsid/?gn=Home&D=~~&c2=~~x-up-subno
Pulls the x-up-subno header into prop2
&c1=D%3DUser-Agent
Makes prop1 a dynamic variable filled in with the HTTP
header User-Agent
&c1=D%3D%22test%22
Makes prop1 a dynamic variable filled in with the string
"test". This becomes more useful when used with
concatenation which utilizes the + operator.
&c1=D%3D%22US%3A%20%22%2BUser-Agent
Makes prop1 a dynamic variable filled in with the
User-Agent prefixed by "UA:"
&vid=D%3DX-TM-ANTID
This example searches for a unique header, which in this
case is X-TM-ANTID.
Page Variables
Page variables directly populate a report, such as pageName, List Props, List Variables, and so on.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 133
If you want to track additional information, but dont have enough variables to do so, you now have access to additional
eVars and success events:
Note: JavaScript H-Code does not support these additional eVars and events.
Overview
Data feeds will have access to the new variables and events once enabled. New eVar columns will not appear
until you choose to include them. However, new events will appear in the event_list column as soon as theyre
enabled, and the events lookup table contains the event names for those event IDs. Do not enable new events
unless you are ready to consume them in Data Feeds.
How do I request new data feed columns?
To request new columns, refer to Configuring Data Feeds.
What if I am an Analytics Premium customer who wants to go back to Analytics Standard and I currently
have more than 100 eVars enabled?
Adobe will not disable any of your existing eVars, but you will not be able to enable more. If you disable eVars,
you cannot turn them back on until you are below the Analytics Standard limit of 100 enabled eVars.
browserHeight
You may read these values and copy them into props/eVars, but you should never alter them. This variable is
introduced with version H.11 of the JavaScript file.
Parameters
browserWidth
You may read these values and copy them into props/eVars, but you should never alter them. This variable is
introduced with version H.11 of the JavaScript file.
Parameters
campaign
The campaign variable identifies marketing campaigns used to bring visitors to your site. The value of campaign is
usually taken from a query string parameter.
Parameters
Every element in a marketing campaign should have an associated unique tracking code. For example, a paid search
engine keyword may have a tracking code of 112233. When someone clicks the keyword with the 112233 tracking
code and is routed to the corresponding website, the campaign variable records the tracking code.
For example, a visitor enters your site by clicking a paid search keyword. When the visitor arrives on the landing
page, the URL contains a query string parameter identifying the tracking code for the keyword. The visitor then clicks
a link to another page, but then immediately clicks the Back button to return to the landing page. When the visitor
arrives a second time on the landing page, the URL with the query string parameter identifies the tracking code
again. And a second click-through is registered, thereby falsely inflating the number of click-throughs.
To avoid this inflation of click-throughs, Adobe recommends using the getValOnce plugin to force each campaign
click-through to be counted only once per session. For more information on the getValOnce plugin, see Implementation
Plug-ins.
The campaign variable has the same limitations as all other variables. Adobe recommends limiting the value to
standard ASCII characters.
Case Sensitivity
eVars are case insensitive, but they are displayed in the capitalization of the first occurrence. For example, if the
first instance of eVar1 is set to "Logged In," but all subsequent instances are passed as "logged in," reports always
show "Logged In" as the value of the eVar.
Examples
s.campaign="112233"
s.campaign=s.getQueryParam('cid');
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 136
Configuration Settings
Each campaign value remains active for a user, and receives credit for that user's activities and success events
until it expires. You can change the expiration of the campaign variable in the Admin Console.
channel
The channel variable is most often used to identify a section of your site.
For example, a merchant may have sections such as Electronics, Toys, or Apparel. A media site may have sections
such as News, Sports, or Business.
Adobe recommends populating the channel variable on every page. You can also turn on a correlation between the
channel and page name variables.
When sections have one or more levels of subsections, you can show those sections in the channel variable or use
separate variables to identify levels.
Examples
s.channel="Electronics"
s.channel="Media"
colorDepth
The colorDepth variable is used to show the number of bits used to display color on each pixel of the screen.
For example, 32 represents 32 bits of color on the screen. This variable is populated after the page code and before
doPlugins is run.
You may read these values and copy them into props/eVars, but you should never alter them. This variable is
introduced with version H.11 of the JavaScript file.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 137
connectionType
The connectionType variable, in Internet Explorer, indicates whether the browser is configured on a LAN or modem
connection.
This variable is populated after the page code and before doPlugins is run.
You may read these values and copy them into props/eVars, but you should never alter them. This variable is
introduced with version H.11 of the JavaScript file.
cookiesEnabled
The cookiesEnabled variable indicates whether a first-party session cookie could be set by JavaScript.
This variable is populated after the page code and before doPlugins is run.
You may read these values and copy them into props/eVars, but you should never alter them. This variable is
introduced with version H.11 of the JavaScript file.
dc
(Deprecated) The dc variable lets you select the data center to which your data is sent.
Note: The dc variable is deprecated. You should set trackingServer for all implementations to the value that
is generated by Code Manager in s_code.js.
eVarN
When an eVar is set to a value for a visitor, the value is remembered until it expires. Any success events that a
visitor encounters while the eVar value is active are counted toward the eVar value.
Expiration
eVars expire after a time period you specify. After the eVar expires, it no longer receives credit for success events.
eVars can also be configured to expire on success events. For example, if you have an internal promotion that
expires at the end of a visit, the internal promotion receives credit only for purchases or registrations that occur
during the visit in which they were activated.
Case Sensitivity
eVars are case insensitive, but they are displayed in the capitalization of the first occurrence. For example, if the
first instance of eVar1 is set to "Logged In," but all subsequent instances are passed as "logged in," reports always
show "Logged In" as the value of the eVar.
Counters
While eVars are most often used to hold string values, they may also be configured to act as counters. eVars are
useful as counters when you are trying to count the number of actions a user takes before an event. For example,
you may use an eVar to capture the number of internal searches before purchase. Each time a visitor searches, the
eVar should contain a value of '+1.' If a visitor searches four times before a purchase, you will see an instance for
each total count: 1.00, 2.00, 3.00, and 4.00. However, only the 4.00 receives credit for the purchase event (Orders
and Revenue Metrics). Only positive numbers are allowed as values of an eVar counter.
Subrelations
A common requirement for a Custom eVar report is the ability to break down one Custom eVar report by another.
For example, if one eVar contains gender, and another contains salary, you may ask the following question: of the
female visitors to my site, how much revenue was generated by women who make more than $50,000 per year.
Any eVar that is fully sub-related allows this type of break down in reports. For example, if the gender eVar has full
subrelations enabled, all other custom eVar reports can be broken down by gender, and gender can be broken down
by all others. To see the relationship between two reports, only one of them needs full subrelations enabled. By
default, Campaigns, Products, and Category reports are fully sub-related (any eVar can be broken down by
campaign or products).
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 139
When not used as a counter, eVars have the same limitations as all other variables. If the eVar is a "counter," it is
expected to receive numeric values like "1" or "2.5." If more than two decimal places are given, the eVar counter
rounds to two decimal places. An eVar counter may not contain negative numbers.
Examples
s.eVar1="logged in"
s.eVar23="internal spring promo 4"
Configuration Settings
eVars can be configured in the Admin Console. All eVars can be configured with a Name, Type, Allocation, Expire
After Setting, or Reset. Each configuration setting is addressed separately.
Setting Description
Name Allows you to change the name of the eVar report within Analytics.
The eVar should still be referenced as s.eVarX in the JavaScript code, no matter
what name is given to the report in Analytics.
Type Allows you to show whether the eVar is a Text String or Counter.
Allocation Used to configure which value of the eVar receives credit for success events.
If Allocation is set to "Most Recent (Last)," then B receives credit.
If Allocation is set to "Linear", then both A and B receive credit for half the purchase
value.
Expire After Lets you determine whether an eVar expires on a specific event, like purchase, or
after a custom or predefined time period.
Reset By selecting the Reset check box for an eVar, and clicking Save at the bottom of
the page, all values of that eVar are immediately expired. After this happens, only
new values of the eVar receive credit for success events.
Configure Events
The s.events variable is used to record common shopping cart success events as well as custom success events.
Custom Events
An event should be considered a milestone within a site. Success events are most commonly populated on the final
confirmation page of a process, such as a registration process or newsletter sign-up. Custom events are defined by
populating the events variable with the literal values defined in the Possible Values section below.
By default, success events are configured as counter events. Counter events count the number of times a success
event is set (x+1). Events can also be configured as numeric events. Numeric events allow you to specify the number
to increment (as might be necessary when counting dynamic or arbitrary values, such as the number of results
returned by an internal search).
A final event type, currency, allows you to define the amount to be added (similar to numeric events), but displays
as currency in reports, and is subject to currency conversions based on the s.currencyCode value and the default
currency setting for your report suite. For additional information on using numeric and currency events, see Products.
Possible Values
The following is a list of possible values for the events variable:
If on H23 code or higher, counter events can have integers greater than one assigned to them.
s.events="event1=10"
s.events="scRemove=3,event6,event2=4"
Implementing counter events with assigned integer values treat the event as if it fired multiple times within the image
request. Counter events do not allow decimals- it is recommended to use numeric events instead if this functionality
is required.
Numeric/Currency Events
Numeric and currency events must be included in the s.events variable, though they typically receive their numerical
value (e.g., 24.99) in the s.products variable. This allows you to tie specific numeric and currency values to individual
product entries.
With Products
s.events="event1"
s.products="Footwear;Running Shoes;1;99.99;event1=4.50"
s.events="event1,event4"
s.products="Footwear;Running Shoes;1;99.99;event1=4.50|event4=1.99"
Without Products
You can also track these types of events by leaving the product and category fields blank. This was the process to
measure data such as tax and shipping before support was added for decimal values outside of the products string.
If you want to pass a numeric or currency value but do not want to tie these to an individual product (such as a
discount applied to an entire order, or a value captured outside of the product view or shopping cart process), this
can be done by using s.products as shown below, but leaving the product and category fields blank.
s.events="event1"
s.products=";;;;event1=4.50"
s.events="event1,event4"
s.products=";;;;event1=4.50|event4=1.99"
This is useful to track order-wide discounts, shipping, and similar values, without modifying the product price or by
tracking it in the product list separately. For example, if you configured event10 to contain order-wide discounts, a
purchase with a 10% discount might appear similar to the following:
s.events="purchase,event10=9.95"
s.products="Footwear;Running Shoes;1;69.95,Running Essentials;Socks;10;29.50"
On Numeric/Currency Event reports, the report total represents the de-duplicated event total (in this example, the
total amount of discounts during the reporting period), not the sum of the event values for each product.
Note: if a value for a Numeric/Currency Event is specified in the products string and in the event string, the
value from the event string is used.
Event Serialization
By default, an event is counted every time the event is set on your site.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 142
Syntax
s.events="event1:3167fhjkah"
Examples
s.events="scAdd:003717174"
s.events="scAdd:user228197,event1:577247280,event7:P7fhF8571"
hierN
The hierarchy variable determines the location of a page in your site's hierarchy.
This variable is most useful for sites that have more than three levels in the site structure. For example, a media
site may have 4 levels to the Sports section: Sports, Local Sports, Baseball, and Red Sox. If someone visits the
Baseball page, Sports, Local Sports, and Baseball, all levels reflect that visit.
There are five hierarchy variables available, which must be enabled by Adobe Customer Care. At the time the
hierarchy is enabled, you should decide on a delimiter for the variable and the maximum number of levels for the
hierarchy. For example, if the delimiter is a comma, the sports hierarchy may display as follows.
s.hier1="Sports,Local Sports,Baseball"
Make sure that none of your section names have the delimiter in them. For example, if one of your sections is called
"Coach Griffin, Jim," then you should choose a delimiter other than comma. Each hierarchy section is limited to 255
bytes, while the total variable limit is 255 bytes. After a delimiter is chosen (at the time the hierarchy is created) it is
not easily changed.
Contact Adobe Customer Care about changing the delimiter for an existing hierarchy. Delimiters may also consist
of multiple characters, such as || or /|\, which are less likely to appear in a hierarchy section.
Do not use the delimiter except to delimit the levels of the hierarchy. The delimiter may be any character or characters
of your choice.
Examples
s.hier1="Toys|Boys 6+|Legos|Super Block Tub"
s.hier4="Sports/Local Sports/Baseball"
Configuration Settings
None
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 143
homepage
The homepage variable, in Internet Explorer, indicates whether the current page is set as the user's home page.
This variable is populated after the page code and before doPlugins is run.
You may read these values and copy them into props/eVars, but you should never alter them. This variable is
introduced with version H.11 of the JavaScript file.
javaEnabled
You may read these values and copy them into props/eVars, but you should never alter them. This variable is
introduced with version H.11 of the JavaScript file.
javascriptVersion
The javascriptVersion variable indicates the version of JavaScript supported by the browser.
This variable is populated after the page code and before doPlugins is run.
You may read these values and copy them into props/eVars, but you should never alter them. This variable is
introduced with version H.11 of the JavaScript file.
Version H.10 and higher of the JavaScript file accurately detect up to version 1.7 (the highest version at the time
H.10 was released). Prior versions of the JavaScript file only detected up to version 1.3
linkName
The linkName variable is an optional variable used in Link Tracking that determines the name of a custom, download,
or exit link.
The linkName variable is not normally needed because the third parameter in the tl() function replaces it.
Custom Links
Exit Links
Custom Links refer to links that send tracking data. The linkName variable (or the third parameter in the tl() function)
is used to identify the value that appears in the Custom, Download, or Exit Links report. If linkName is not populated,
the URL of the link appears in the report.
Examples
s.linkName="Nav Bar Home Link"
s.linkName="Partner Link to A.com"
Configuration Settings
None
linkType
The linkType variable is an optional variable used in link tracking that determines which report a link name or URL
appears (custom, download, or exit links).
The linkType variable is not normally needed because the second parameter in the tl() function replaces it.
Custom Links
Exit Links
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 145
Custom links send data to Analytics. The linkType variable (or the second parameter in the tl() function) is used to
identify the report in which the link name or URL appears (Custom, Download, or Exit Links report).
For exit and download Links, the linkType variable is automatically populated depending on whether the link clicked
is an exit or download link. A custom link may be configured to send data to any of the three reports with this variable
or with the second parameter in the tl() function. By setting linkType to 'o,' 'e,' or 'd,' the linkName or link URL is sent
to the Custom Links, Exit Links, or File Downloads report respectively.
If you are using XML, the variable may only contain a single character, namely 'o,' 'e,' or 'd.'
s.tl(this,o,Link Name);
If you are using the query-string pe, you need to use lnk_d, lnk_e, or lnk_o.
Examples
<a href="index.html" onClick="
var s=s_gi('rsid'); **see note below on the rsid**
s.tl(this,'o','Link Name');
">My Page</a>
Configuration Settings
None
List Props
List props are a delimited list of values that are passed into a variable, then reported as individual line items. List
props are most commonly implemented on pages that contain user-selectable values, such as listed items with
check boxes or radio buttons. They are useful in any circumstance where you want to define multiple values in a
variable without sending multiple image requests.
Considerations
List props are enabled only on traffic variables (props).
Pathing and correlations cannot be enabled for list props.
Analytics provides visits and unique visitors to almost every report, including all list prop reports.
Classifications are supported for list props.
Any custom traffic variable can become a list prop. (Exceptions: pageName, channel, and server.)
When defining duplicate values in the same image request, instances are not deduplicated.
A prop can be changed into a list prop on the Admin Tools > Report Suite > Traffic Variables page by enabling List
Support and then selecting a delimiter. Popular delimiters are colons, semi-colons, commas, or pipes. The delimiter
can technically be any of the first 127 ASCII characters.
Implementation Examples
When you request enabling of list props, indicate the delimiter that you would like to use. After the s.prop of your
choice is enabled, multiple values can be set in the variable as shown in the following examples:
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 146
The delimiter can be changed at any time. However, the implementation must match the new delimiter. Failure to
use the correct delimiter results in the list prop value being treated as a single concatenated line item in reporting.
Because a list prop is still a Traffic Variable, it is subject to Traffic Variable limitations. List props are limited to 100
bytes of data and are affected by case sensitivity settings.
List Variable
Also known as List Var. Similar to how List Props function, List Vars allow multiple values within the same image
request. They also act similarly to eVars, which persist beyond the image request they were defined on. You can
use these variables to see cause and effect among multiple elements on a single page, such as product lists, wish
lists, lists of search refinements, or lists of display ads.
Considerations:
List Vars remember their specific values by referencing the VisitorID cookie in the visitor's browser.
A limit of 250 maximum values are stored at one time per visitor. If 250 values per visitor are exceeded, the latest
250 values are used. Expiration for these values is based on the configured expiration for the variable.
Each delimited value can contain a maximum of 255 characters (or less if using multi-byte characters). This is the
maximum length of each element.
There is no limit to the number of characters within this variable. The only exception to this limitation is within older
Internet Explorer browsers, which impose a 2083-character limitation on all URL requests.
A total of three List Vars are available per report suite.
Using List Vars requires H23 code or higher.
List Vars can be classified.
If duplicate values are defined in the same image request, list vars deduplicate all instances of those values.
The most granular list vars can be segmented is on a hit (or page view) level. If you have a list var with three values
in the same image request, any segment rules that match one value will pull all three into reporting. Conversely,
if an exclude rule is defined that matches a single value, all three values are excluded.
Configuration
You can access the configuration in the Admin Console and update it without Adobe Client Care having to get
involved:
Note: Multi-byte characters are not supported as delimiters in List Vars. The delimiter must be single byte.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 147
Expiration: Similar to eVar expiration, this determines the amount of time that can occur between the List Var and
the conversion event for them to be related.
At a page view or visit level: Success events beyond the page view or visit would not link back to any values
within the List Var.
Based on a time period, such as day, week, month, etc: Success events beyond the specified time period
would not link back to any values within the List Var. A custom number of days can be defined as well.
Specific conversion events: Any other success events that fire after the specific event designated would not
link back to any values within the List Var.
Never: Any amount of time can pass between the List Var and success event.
Allocation: This setting determines how success events divide credit between values:
Full: All variable values defined prior to the variable's expiration get full credit for success events.
Linear: All variable values defined prior to the variable's expiration get credit divided credit for conversion events.
Variable values are never overwritten, but instead added to the values that get credit for success events.
Max Values: Designates the number of active values allowed for this list variable. For example, if set to 3, only
the last 3 values captured is saved and any previous values captured are discarded. Note that if multiple values
for the same list var are sent in on the same hit and you have restricted using max values, each value will have
the same timestamp and there is not guarantee as to which value is saved.
A limit of 250 maximum values are stored at one time per visitor. If 250 values per visitor are exceeded, the latest
250 values are used. Expiration for these values is based on the configured expiration for the variable.
The Max Values setting is useful to limit attribution to a specific number of values. For example, if a list var is set
to "A,B,C" on the first page of a visit, then set to "X,Y,Z" on the next page, attribution is distributed to these six
values based on the allocation. If you wanted to limit attribution to only "X,Y,Z", you can set max values to three.
To set up or edit List Vars, go to Analytics > Admin > Report Suites > Edit Settings > Conversion > List
Variables.
Implementation Examples
Each of the following examples use a comma for the value delimiter.
This result would show three line items with $50 each in revenue. (Top Banner Ad; Side Bar Ad; and Internal
Campaign 1.) Note the total for this report deduplicates revenue, so the total would also reflect $50.
Attributing revenue to a List Var that was set multiple times during a visit:
Allocation: Full
Expiration: Visit
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 148
s.products=;product;1;200
Result: All values set in the list var1 at any point during the visit (value1,value2,value3,value4,value5,value6) get
full credit for the purchase.
maxDelay
The s.maxDelay variable is used primarily in Genesis DFA integrations to determine the timeout period in contacting
the DFA host. If Adobe does not receive a response from DFA's servers within the specified period set in the
s.maxDelay variable, the connection is severed, and data is processed normally. Implement this variable if you are
concerned with DFA's response time on each page. It is recommended to experiment with this value to determine
the optimum timeout period.
Implementation Example
s.maxDelay="750";
Properties
This variable is an optional event metric populated via the JavaScript implemented on your site.
If the DFA host does not respond within the given amount of time, the event designated to Timeout runs (assigned
via the Genesis integration wizard).
This variable can only contain a numeric value.
The amount of time specified is measured in milliseconds.
Increasing the wait time collects more DFA data, but also increases the risk of losing Analytics hit data.
Losing Analytics hit data would occur when the user navigates away from the page during the s.maxDelay period.
Decreasing the wait time will lower the risk of losing Analytics hit data, but can reduce the amount of DFA data
sent with hit data.
Losing DFA integration data would occur when the s.maxDelay period does not accommodate enough time for the
DFA host to respond.
Note: Adobe does not have control over DFA's response time. If you are seeing consistent issues even after
raising the max delay period to a reasonable time frame, consult your organization's DFA account administrator.
mediaLength
The mediaLenght variable specifies the total length of the media being played.
If using s.Media.autoTrack, the mediaLength variable does not need to be implemented explicitly. It is determined
automatically by the AppMeasurement for JavaScript code.
Syntax:
s.Media.open(mediaName,mediaLength,mediaPlayerName)
Possible Values:
s.Media.open("de_bofr_1045Making_400k", "414","Windows Media Player 11.0.5721.5230")
Examples
s.Media.open("de_bofr_1045Making_400k", "414","Windows Media Player 11.0.5721.5230")
Resulting pev3 parameter syntax: pev3= [Asset Name]--**--[Total length of asset]--**--[Player
name]--**--[Total seconds consumed]--**--[Timestamp]--**--[Chronological record of all starts
and stops along with accompanying markers]
mediaName
If using s.Media.autoTrack, the mediaName variable does not need to be implemented explicitly. It is determined
automatically by the AppMeasurement for JavaScript code.
Syntax:
s.Media.open(mediaName,mediaLength,mediaPlayerName)
s.Media.play(mediaName,mediaOffset)
s.Media.stop(mediaName,mediaOffset)
s.Media.close(mediaName)
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Possible Values:
s.Media.open("de_bofr_1045Making_400k", "414","Windows Media Player 11.0.5721.5230")
s.Media.play("de_bofr_1045Making_400k", "0")
s.Media.play("de_bofr_1045Making_400k", "414")
s.Media.close("de_bofr_1045Making_400k")
Examples
s.Media.open("de_bofr_1045Making_400k", "414","Windows Media Player 11.0.5721.5230")
s.Media.play("de_bofr_1045Making_400k", "0")
s.Media.play("de_bofr_1045Making_400k", "414")
s.Media.close("de_bofr_1045Making_400k")
Resulting pev3 parameter syntax: pev3=[Asset Name]--**--[Total length of asset]--**--[Player
name]--**--[Total seconds consumed]--**--[Timestamp]--**--[Chronological record of all starts
and stops along with accompanying markers]
mediaPlayer
This variable specifies the player used to consume a video or media item.
Possible Values:
s.Media.open("de_bofr_1045Making_400k", "414","Windows Media Player 11.0.5721.5230")
Examples
s.Media.open("de_bofr_1045Making_400k", "414","Windows Media Player 11.0.5721.5230")
Resulting pev3 parameter syntax: pev3=[Asset Name]--**--[Total length of asset]--**--[Player
name]--**--[Total seconds consumed]--**--[Timestamp]--**--[Chronological record of all starts
and stops along with accompanying markers]
mediaSession
If using s.Media.autoTrack, the mediaName does not need to be implemented explicitly. It will be determined
automatically by the AppMeasurement for JavaScript code.
Syntax:
s.Media.open(mediaName,mediaLength,mediaPlayerName)
s.Media.play(mediaName,mediaOffset)
s.Media.stop(mediaName,mediaOffset)
Possible Values:
s.Media.open("de_bofr_1045Making_400k", "414","Windows Media Player 11.0.5721.5230")
s.Media.play("de_bofr_1045Making_400k", "0")
s.Media.play("de_bofr_1045Making_400k", "414")
Examples
s.Media.open("de_bofr_1045Making_400k", "414","Windows Media Player 11.0.5721.5230")
s.Media.play("de_bofr_1045Making_400k", "0")
s.Media.play("de_bofr_1045Making_400k", "414")
Resulting pev3 parameter syntax: pev3=[Asset Name]--**--[Total length of asset]--**--[Player
name]--**--[Total seconds consumed]--**--[Timestamp]--**--[Chronological record of all starts
and stops along with accompanying markers]
Possible pev3 Values: pev3=de_bofr_1045Making_400k--**--414--**--Windows Media Player
11.0.5721.5230--**--288--**--1207893838--**--S0E0S0E256S0E32
Media.trackEvents
The Media.trackEvents variable identifies which events should be sent with a media hit.
It is only applicable with JavaScript and ActionSource.
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Examples
s.Media.trackEvents=event1,purchase
Media.trackVars
The Media.trackVars variable identifies which variables should be sent with a media hit.
It is only applicable with JavaScript and ActionSource.
Examples
s.Media.trackVars=prop2,events,eVar3
mobile
The mobile variable controls the order in which cookies and subscriber IDs are used to identify visitors.
See Mobile Tracking over WAP and I-Mode Protocols.
pageName
The pageName variable contains the name of each page on your site.
Paths
The pageName variable should be populated with a value that business users recognize. In most cases the pageName
value is not the URL or the path to the file. Common pageName values include names such as "Home Page,"
"Checkout," "Purchase Thank you," or "Registration."
Be careful not to allow new-line, -em or -en dashes, or any HTML characters to appear in the page name and other
variables. Some browsers send new line characters while others don't, which causes the data in Analytics to be split
between two seemingly identical page names. Many word processors and email clients will automatically convert a
hyphen into an -en or -em dash when typing. Since -en and -em dashes are illegal characters in Analytics variables
(ASCII characters with codes above 127), Analytics won't record the page name containing the illegal character and
show the URL instead.
If pageName is left blank, the URL is used to represent the page name. Leaving pageName blank is often problematic
because the URL may not always be the same for a page (www.mysite.com and mysite.com are the same page
with different URLs).
Examples
s.pageName="Search Results"
s.pageName="Standard Offer List"
Configuration Settings
Administrators have the ability to change the visible page name in Analytics with the Name Pages tool, which is
potentially dangerous and may negatively affect your reports. Please contact Adobe Customer Care before using
the Name Pages tool.
pageType
The pageType variable is used only to designate a 404 Page Not Found Error page.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 154
The pageType variable captures the errant URL when a 404 Error page is displayed, which allows you to quickly
find broken links and paths that are no longer valid on the custom site. Set up the pageType variable on the error
page exactly as shown below.
Do not use the page name variable on 404 error pages. The pageType variable is only used for the 404 Error page.
In most cases, the 404 Error page is a static page that is hard-coded. In these cases, it is important that the reference
to the .JS file is set to an appropriate global or relative path/directory.
Examples
s.pageType="errorPage"
Configuration Settings
None
pageURL
Note: Although Adobe allows pageURL values up to 64k, some browsers impose a size limit on the URL of
image requests. To prevent truncation of other data, page URLs longer than 255 bytes are split, with the first
255 bytes appearing in the g= parameter, with the remaining bytes appearing later in the query sting in the
-g= query parameter.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 155
Note: It is strongly advised that you contact your Adobe consultant or Customer Care before using the pageURL
variable for custom purposes.
Examples
s.pageURL="http://mysite.com/home.jsp?id=1224"
s.pageURL="http://www.mysite.com/"
Configuration Settings
None
plugins
The plugins variable, in Netscape and Mozilla-based browsers, lists the plugins installed on the browser.
This variable is populated after the page code and before doPlugins is run.
You may read these values and copy them into props/eVars, but you should never alter them. This variable is
introduced with version H.11 of the JavaScript file.
products
The products variable is used for tracking products and product categories as well as purchase quantity and purchase
price. Products is typically set in conjunction with a cart event or a prodView event.
Important:
We updated the logic that sets the prodView event automatically, which happens when there is a product but
no event. This update may cause an increase in prodView events. prodViews will increase only when:
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 156
1. The events variable contains nothing but an unrecognized event, such as shoppingCart or cart, which are
not valid events.
2. The products variable is not empty.
A possible side effect is that merchandising eVars triggered by prodView events could be associated with an
empty product, but only if the product list contains only an invalid product (such as a semicolon with no product
listed).
The products variable tracks how users interact with products on your site. For instance, the products variable can
track how many times a product is viewed, added to the shopping cart, checked out, and purchased. It can also
track the relative effectiveness of merchandising categories on your site. The scenarios below are common for using
the products variable.
The products variable should always be set in conjunction with a success event.
Field Definition
Category Contains the associated product category. In version 15, products can be associated with
multiple categories which fixes a limitation present in version 14. If you were previously not
recording a product category, you are encouraged to start populating this field for report suites
that are on version 15.
Product (Required) The identifier used to track a product. This identifier is used to populate the Products
report. Be sure to use the same identifier through the checkout process.
Quantity The number of units purchased. This field must be set with a purchase event to be recorded.
Price Refers to the combined cost of the total quantity purchased (units x individual unit price), not
to the individual price. This field must be set with a purchase event to be recorded.
Events Currency events associated with the specified product. See Product-Specific Currency Events
and Order-Wide Currency Events.
eVars Merchandising eVar values associated with a specific product. See Merchandising Variables.
The values included in the products variable are based on the type of event you are recording. The category/product
delimiter (;) is required as a place holder when omitting Category. Other delimiters are required only if they are
necessary to distinguish which parameter you are including, as shown in the examples on this page.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 157
In the examples below, product attributes (category) are separated by semicolons. Multiple products are separated
by commas.
Example 1: Single Product
s.events="prodView"
s.products="Footwear;Running Shoes"
Note: Price refers to the total price (unit price x units). For instance, 3 widgets purchased at 19.99 each would
equal 59.97 (such as ";Widget;3;59.97" ).
In this example, the value of 4.50 is associated directly with the "Running Shoes" product. If you add event1 to the
products report, you'll see "4.50" listed for the "Running Shoes" line item. Similar to Price, this value should reflect
the total for the quantity listed. If you have 2 items with a 4.50 shipping charge each, event1 should be "9.00".
Example 1: Single Numeric/Currency Event
s.events="purchase,event1"
s.products="Footwear;Running Shoes;1;69.95;event1=7.59"
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 158
For example, if you configured event10 to contain order-wide discounts, a purchase with a 10% discount might
appear similar to the following:
s.events="purchase,event10=9.95"
s.products="Footwear;Running Shoes;1;69.95,Running Essentials;Running Socks;10;29.50"
s.purchaseID="1234567890"
On currency event reports, the report total represents the de-duplicated event total (in this example, the total amount
of discounts during the reporting period), not the sum of the event values for each product. For example, you would
see "9.95" listed for both "Running Shoes" and "Running Socks", and the total would also be "9.95".
Note: if a value for the same Numeric/Currency Event is specified in the products variable and in the events
variable, the value from the events is used.
Examples
s.products=Category;ABC123
s.products=Category2;ABC123,;ABC456
s.products=Category3;ABC123;1;10
s.products=Category;ABC123;1;10,;ABC456;2;19.98
s.events=event1
s.products="Category;ABC123;;;event1=1.99"
s.events=event1
s.products="Category;ABC123;1;10;event1=1.99"
s.events=event1
s.products="Category;ABC123;1;10;event1=1.99,;ABC123;2;19.98;event1=1.99"
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 159
s.events=event1,event2
s.products="Category;ABC123;1;10;event1=1.99|event2=25"
s.events=event1,event2
s.events=event1,event2
s.events=event1,event2
s.events=event1,event2,event3
s.products="Category;ABC123;1;10;event1=1.99|event2=25;evar1=2 Day
Shipping,;ABC456;2;19.98;event1=1.99|event2=100;evar1=Ground Shipping,;;;;event3=2.9;evar3=20%
off"
s.events=event1,event2,event3=9.95
s.products="Category;ABC123;,;ABC456;2;19.98;event1=1.99|event2=100;evar1=Ground
Shipping,;;;;event3=2.9;evar3=20% off"
propN
Property (prop) variables are used for building custom reports within the Traffic Module.
The props variable may be used as counters (to count the number of times a page view is sent), for pathing reports,
or in correlation reports.
There are no limitations on property variables outside of the standard variable limitations.
Examples
s.prop2="editorial"
s.prop15="toy category"
Configuration Settings
Contact Adobe Customer Care about showing Visit, Visitor, and Path metrics for prop variables.
purchaseID
The purchaseID is used to keep an order from being counted multiple times in reporting.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 160
Whenever the purchase event is used on your site, you should use the purchaseID variable.
When a visitor purchases an item from your site, purchaseID is populated on the "Thank You" page at the same
place the purchase event is fired. If the purchaseID is populated, the products on the "Thank You" page are counted
only once per purchaseID. This is critical because many visitors to your site will save the "Thank You" or "Confirmation
Page" for their own purposes. The purchaseID keeps purchases from being counted each time the page is viewed.
In addition to keeping the purchase data from being counted twice, the purchaseID, when used, keeps all conversion
data from being double counted in reports.
Examples
s.purchaseID="11223344"
s.purchaseID="a8g784hjq1mnp3"
Configuration Settings
None
referrer
Many companies use redirects in many places throughout their websites. For example, a visitor may be sent through
a redirect from a search engine paid search result. When a browser is redirected, the referrer is often lost. The
referrer variable may be used to restore the original referrer value on the first page after a redirect. The referrer may
be populated server-side, or via JavaScript from the query string.
For Analytics to record a referrer, it must be "well formed," meaning that it must follow the standard URL format,
with a protocol and appropriate location.
Only URL-compatible values should be in the referrer. Make sure the string is URL encoded (no spaces).
Examples
s.referrer="http://www.google.com/search?q=search+string"
s.referrer=<%=referrerVar%> // populated server-side
if(s.getQueryParam('ref')
s.referrer=s.getQueryParam('ref')
Configuration Settings
None
resolution
The resolution variable indicates the monitor resolution of the visitor viewing the web page.
This variable is populated after the page code and before doPlugins is run.
You may read these values and copy them into props/eVars, but you should never alter them. This variable is
introduced with version H.11 of the JavaScript file.
s_objectID
The s_objectID variable is a global variable that should be set in the onClick event of a link.
By creating a unique object ID for a link or link location on a page, you can either improve visitor activity tracking or
use Activity Map to report on a link type or location, rather than the link URL.
Note: A trailing semicolon (;) is required when using s_objectID with Activity Map.
Examples
s_objectID="top left 2"
s_objectID="prod 123789 search"
Configuration Settings
None
server
The server variable is used to show either the domain of a web page (to show which domains people come to) or
the server serving the page (for a load balancing quick reference).
If your site has more than one domain serving the same content, the server variable can be used to track which of
those domains visitors are using. The following JavaScript will populate the domain of the page into the server
variable.
s.server=window.location.hostname
If you are using the server variable to give a quick guide to load balancing, you could put a server name or number
into the server variable. See the following example:
s.server="server 14"
While the Most Popular Servers report may be used as a load balancing quick reference, it is not a precise measure
of server load. For example, back-button traffic does not increase server load, but is shown in reports. The report
does not show which servers are serving images or large downloads.
There are no limitations on the server variable outside of the standard variable limitations.
Examples
s.server="server 18"
s.server=window.location.hostname
Configuration Settings
None
state
Because the state and zip variables expire immediately, the only events associated with them are events that are
fired on the same page on which they are populated. For example, if you are using state to compare conversion
rates by state, you should populate the state variable on every page of the checkout process. For conversion sites,
Adobe recommends using the billing address as the source for the Zip Code, but you may choose to use the shipping
address instead (assuming there is only one shipping address for the order). A media site may choose to use zip
and state for registration or ad click-through tracking.
The state variable does not impose any special value or format restrictions. There are no limitations on state outside
of the standard variable limitations.
Examples
s.state="california"
s.state="prince edward island"
Configuration Settings
None
timestamp
This variable lets you customize the timestamp of a hit similar to the AppMeasurement libraries for other platforms.
Syntax
s.timestamp="UNIX or ISO-8601 format timestamp"
The timestamp variable must be in the format explained in the next section.
Important: Your report suite must be timestamp-enabled by Customer Care before you can use the timestamp
variable. After timestamp support is enabled, all hits sent to this report suite from JavaScript must have a
timestamp manually set (using s.timestamp) or the hits will not be recorded.
Additionally, if you enable timestamp support on a report suite to support offline tracking, all hits sent to this
report suite from JavaScript must also have a timestamp manually set (using s.timestamp). You cannot send
both time-stamped and non-time-stamped hits to the same report suite.
You can also use the Timestamps Optionalsetting to mix timestamped and non-timestamped data in the same
global report suite, send timestamped data from a mobile app to a global report suite, and upgrade apps to
employ timestamps without having to create a new report suite.
Timestamp Formats
Timestamps must be in UNIX (seconds since Jan 1st 1970) or ISO-8601 format, with the following restrictions on
the accepted ISO-8601 format:
Both date and time must be provided, separated by "T"
The date must be a calendar date with full precision (year, month, and day). . Week dates and ordinal dates are
not supported.
The date can be in standard or extended format (YYYY-MM-DD or YYYYMMDD), but they must include the hour and
minute. Seconds are optional (HH:MM, HH:MM:SS, HHMM, or HHMMSS). Fractional minutes and seconds can be passed
in, but the fractional part is ignored.
An optional time zone can be specified in standard or extended format (HH, HH:MM, HH, HHMM, or Z)
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 165
Examples
s.timestamp=Math.round((new Date()).getTime()/1000);
s.timestamp="2012-04-20T12:49:31-0700";
Configuration Settings
A report suite must be enabled to accept custom timestamps by Customer Care before you can use this variable.
After custom timestamps are enabled, all hits sent to the report suite must contain a timestamp or they are discarded.
trackingServer
The trackingServer variable is used for first-party cookie implementation to specify the domain at which the image
request and cookie is written.
Used for non-secure pages. If trackingServer is defined, nothing goes to 2o7.net. If trackingServer is not defined
(and dc is not defined), data goes to 112.2o7.net.
trackingServerSecure
The trackingServerSecure variable is used for first-party cookie implementation to specify the domain at which the
image request and cookie is written.
Used for secure pages. If trackingServerSecure is not defined, SSL data goes to trackingServer.
transactionID
Integration Data Sources use a transaction ID to tie offline data to an online transaction (like a lead or purchase
generated online).
Each unique transactionID sent to Adobe is recorded in preparation for a Data Sources upload of offline information
about that transaction. See Data Sources.
The transactionID should contain only alphanumeric characters. If multiple transactionIDs should be recorded in
a single hit, you can use a comma to delimit multiple values.
Examples
s.transactionID="11123456"
s.transactionID="lead_12345xyz"
s.transactionID=s.purchaseID
Note: The transactionID variable can contain any character other than a comma. It should be in the same
location where the character limit (100 bytes) is specified. If multi-byte characters are used, multi-byte character
support must be enabled in order to avoid problems with unexpected characters in the transactionID.
visitorID
If you explicitly set a custom ID, it will always be used before the other ID methods.
This is the order of use: s.visitorID > s_vi > s_fid > IP/UA.
Examples
s.visitorID="abc123"
Configuration Settings
None
visitorNamespace
The visitorNamespace variable is used to identify the domain with which cookies are set.
If visitorNamespace is used in your JavaScript file, do not delete or alter it. If visitorNamespace changes, all visitors
reported in Analytics may become new visitors. Visitor history becomes disconnected from current and future traffic.
Do not alter this variable without approval from an Adobe representative.
Analytics uses a cookie to uniquely identify visitors to your site. If visitorNamespace is not used, the cookie is
associated 2o7.net. If visitorNamespace is used, the cookie is associated with a sub-domain of 2o7.net. All visitors
to your site should have their cookies associated with the same domain or sub-domain.
The reason for using the visitorNamespace variable is to avoid the possibility of overloading a browser's cookie limit.
Internet Explorer imposes a limit of 20 cookies per domain. By using the visitorNamespace variable, other companies'
Analytics cookies will not conflict with your visitors' cookies.
Examples
s.visitorNamespace="company_name"
s.visitorNamespace="Adobe"
Configuration Settings
None
zip
Since the state and zip variables expire immediately, the only events associated with them are events fired on the
same page that are populated. For example, if you are using zip to compare conversion rates by Zip Code, you
should populate zip on every page of the checkout process. Adobe recommends using the billing address as the
source for the Zip Code. You may choose to use the shipping address instead (assuming there is only one shipping
address for the order). A media site may choose to use zip and state for registration or ad click-through tracking.
The zip variable does not impose any value or format restrictions. There are no limitations on zip outside of the
standard variable limitations.
Examples
s.zip="92806"
s.zip="92806-4115"
Configuration Settings
None
Note: JavaScript H-Code does not support these additional eVars and events.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 169
Overview
Adobe will not disable any of your existing eVars, but you will not be able to enable more. If you disable eVars,
you cannot turn them back on until you are below the Analytics Standard limit of 100 enabled eVars.
Note: See Configuration Variables and Page Variables for an in-depth look at the most common Analytics
variables.
Variable Description
s_account Determines the report suite where data is stored and reported.
browserHeight Displays the height of the browser window.
browserWidth Displays the width of the browser window.
campaign Identifies marketing campaigns used to bring visitors to your site. The value of
campaign is usually taken from a query string parameter.
channel Usually identifies a section of your website. For example, a merchant may have
sections such as Electronics, Toys, or Apparel. A media site may have sections
such as News, Sports, or Business.
charSet Translates the character set of the Web page into UTF-8.
colorDepth Displays the number of bits used to display color on each pixel of the screen.
connectionType Indicates (in Microsoft Internet Explorer) whether the browser is configured on
a LAN or modem connection.
cookieDomainPeriods Determines the domain on which the Analyticsvisitor ID (s_vi) cookie will be set
by determining the number of periods in the domain of the page URL. For
www.mysite.com, cookieDomainPeriods should be "2." For www.mysite.co.jp,
cookieDomainPeriods should be "3."
cookieLifetime Used by both JavaScript and Analytics servers to determine the lifespan of a
cookie.
cookiesEnabled Indicates whether a first-party session cookie could be set by JavaScript.
currencyCode Determines the conversion rate to be applied to revenue as it enters the Analytics
databases. Analytics databases store all monetary amounts in a currency of
your choice. If that currency is the same as that specified in currencyCode, or
currencyCode is empty, no conversion is applied.
dc Lets you set the data center to which your data is sent.
doPlugins doPlugins is a reference to the s_doPlugins function. It allows the s_doPlugins
function to be called at the appropriate location within the JavaScript file.
dynamicAccountList Dynamically selects a report suite to which data is sent. The dynamicAccountList
variable contains the rules that used to determine the destination report suite.
dynamicAccountMatch Uses the DOM object to retrieve the section of the URL to which all rules in
dynamicAccountList are applied. This variable is only valid when
dynamicAccountSelection is set to 'True.'
dynamicAccountSelection Lets you dynamically select the report suite based on the URL of each page.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 171
Variable Description
dynamicVariablePrefix Allows deployment to flag variables that should be populated dynamically.
Cookies, request headers, and image query string parameters are available to
be populated dynamically.
eVarN Used for building custom reports within the AnalyticsConversion Module. When
an eVar is set to a value for a visitor, Analytics remembers that value until it
expires. Any success events that a visitor encounters while the eVar value is
active are counted toward the eVar value.
events Records common shopping cart success events and custom success events.
fpCookieDomainPeriods Determines the domain on which Analytics cookies other than the visitor ID
(s_vi) cookie will be set by determining the number of periods in the domain of
the page.
hierN Determines the location of a page in your site's hierarchy. This variable is most
useful for sites that have more than three levels in the site structure.
homepage Indicates (in Internet Explorer) whether the current page is set as the user's
home page.
javaEnabled Indicates whether Java is enabled in the browser.
javascriptVersion Displays the version of JavaScript supported by the browser.
linkDownloadFileTypes A comma-separated list of file extensions. If your site contains links to files with
any of these extensions, the URLs of these links appear in the File Downloads
report.
linkExternalFilters If your site contains many links to external sites, and you don't want to track all
exit links, linkExternalFilters can be used to report on a specific subset of exit
links.
linkInternalFilters Determines which links on your site are exit links. It is a comma-separated list
of filters that represent the links that are part of the site.
linkLeaveQueryString Determines whether or not the query string should be included in the Exit Links
and File Download reports.
linkName An optional variable used in Link Tracking that determines the name of a custom,
download, or exit link. The linkName variable is not normally needed because
the third parameter in the tl() function replaces it.
linkTrackEvents Contains the events that should be sent with custom, download, and exit links.
This variable is only considered if linkTrackVars contains "events."
linkTrackVars A comma-separated list of variables that will be sent with custom, exit, and
download links. If linkTrackVars is set to "", all variables that have values are
sent with link data.
linkType An optional variable used in link tracking that determines which report a Link
Name or URL will appear (custom, download, or exit Links). linkType is not
normally needed because the second parameter in the tl() function replaces it.
mediaLength Specifies the total length of the media being played.
mediaName Specifies the name of the video or media item. It is only available via the Data
Insertion API and Full Processing Data Source.
mediaPlayer Specifies the player used to consume a video or media item.
mediaSession Specifies the segments of a video or media asset consumed.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 172
Variable Description
Media.trackEvents Identifies which events should be sent with a media hit. It is only applicable with
JavaScriptActionSource..
Media.trackVars Identifies which variables should be sent with a media hit. It is only applicable
with JavaScriptActionSource..
mobile Controls the order in which cookies and subscriber ids are used to identify visitors.
s_objectID A global variable that should be set in the onClick event of a link. By creating a
unique object ID for a link or link location on a page, you can improve visitor click
map tracking or use visitor click map to report on a link type or location, rather
than the link URL.
pageName Contains the name of each page on your site. If pageName is blank, the URL is
used to represent the page name in Analytics.
pageType Used only to designate a 404 Page Not Found Error page. It only has one
possible value, which is "errorPage." On a 404 Error page, the pageName variable
should not be populated.
pageURL In rare cases, the URL of the page is not the URL that you would like reported
in Analytics. To accommodate these situations, Analytics offers the pageURL
variable, which overrides the actual URL of the page.
plugins On Netscape and Mozilla-based browsers, lists the plugins installed in the
browser.
products Used for tracking products and product categories as well as purchase quantity
and purchase price. The products variable should always be set in conjunction
with a success event. Optionally, the products variable can track custom numeric
and currency events, as well as Merchandising eVars.
propN Used for building custom reports within the AnalyticsTraffic Module. props may
be used as counters (to count the number of times a page view is sent), for
pathing reports, or in correlation reports.
purchaseID Used to keep an order from being counted multiple times by Analytics. Whenever
the purchase event is used on your site, you should use the purchaseID variable.
referrer Restores lost referrer information.
resolution Displays the monitor resolution of the visitor viewing the Web page.
server Shows either the domain of a Web page (to show which domains people come
to) or the server serving the page (for a load balancing quick reference).
state Captures the state in which a visitor to your site resides.
trackDownloadLinks Set trackDownloadLinks to 'true' if you want to track links to downloadable files
on your site. If trackDownloadLinks is 'true,' linkDownloadFileTypes determines
which links are downloadable files.
trackExternalLinks If trackExternalLinks is 'true,' linkInternalFilters and linkExternalFilters determines
whether any link clicked is an exit link.
trackingServer Used for first-party cookie implementation to specify the domain at which the
image request and cookie is written. Used for non-secure pages.
trackingServerSecure Used for first-party cookie implementation to specify the domain at which the
image request and cookie is written. Used for secure pages.
trackInlineStats Determines whether visitor click map data is gathered.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 173
Variable Description
transactionID Ties offline data to an online transaction (like a lead or purchase generated
online). Each unique transactionID sent to Adobe is recorded in preparation for
a Data Sources upload of offline information about that transaction. See the
Data Sources Guide.
s_usePlugins If the s_doPlugins function is available and contains useful code, s_usePlugins
should be set to 'true.' When usePlugins is 'true,' the s_doPlugins function is
called prior to each image request.
visitorID Visitors may be identified by the visitorID tag, or by IP address/User Agent. The
visitorID may be up to 100 alphanumeric characters and must not contain a
hyphen.
visitorNamespace If visitorNamespace is used in your JavaScript file, do not delete or alter it. This
variable is used to identify the domain with which cookies are set. If
visitorNamespace changes, all visitors reported in Analytics may become new
visitors. In short, do not alter this variable without approval from an Adobe
consultant.
zip Captures the ZIP code in which a visitor to your site resides.
Merchandising Variables
When measuring the success of external campaigns or external search terms, you typically want a single value to
receive credit for any success events that occur. For example, if a customer clicks a link in an email campaign to
visit your website, all purchases made as a result should be credited to that campaign.
But what about events that are driven by internal search or by category browsing when a customer is looking for
multiple items? For example, a customer searches your site for "goggles" and then adds a pair to the cart:
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 174
Before checkout, the customer searches for "winter coat", and then adds a down jacket to the to the cart:
When this purchase is completed, assuming the allocation wasn't changed from Most Recent, you'll have an internal
search for "winter coat" credited with the purchase of a pair of goggles. Good for "winter coat", but bad for marketing
decisions:
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 175
Cross-category merchandising variables, or "merchandising evars", let you assign the current value of an eVar to
a product at the time a success event takes place. This value remains tied to that product, even if one or more new
values are later set for that particular eVar.
If merchandising is enabled for the eVar in the previous example, the search term "goggles" is tied to the Fernie
Snow Goggles, and the search term "winter coat" is tied to the El Gordo Down Jacket. Merchandising variables
allocate revenue at the product level, so each term receives credit for the amount of revenue for the product to which
the term was associated:
Setting Description
Expire After
Determines how long merchandising values should persist.
Merchandising
Product Syntax: The value is set within s.products.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 176
Setting Description
Conversion Variable Syntax: The value is set in the designated merchandising s.eVar.
Merchandising
Indicates when a product should be tied to the current merchandising category. Multiple events
Binding Event
may be selected by holding down Ctrl and clicking on multiple items in the list.
(Conversion
variable syntax only) Note: When "Product Syntax" is selected, you can not choose an event (it is disabled,
but not grayed out).You can select an event only when the "Conversion Variable Syntax"
is selected.
Example
s.events="prodView"
s.products=";Fernie Snow Goggles;;;;eVar1=goggles"
In
The value "goggles" for eVar1 is assigned to the product "Fernie Snow Goggles". All subsequent success events
(product adds, checkouts, purchases, and so on) that involve this product are credited to "goggles".
When the binding event selected during configuration occurs, the persisted value of the eVar is associated with the
product. For example, if prodView is specified as the binding event, the merchandising category is tied to the current
product list only at the time the event occurs. Only subsequent binding events can update a merchandising eVar
that has already been assigned to a product.
Syntax
On the same or previous page before the binding event:
s.eVar1="merchandising_category"
Example
Page 1 of the visit:
s.eVar1="Outdoors:Ski Goggles"
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 177
The value "Outdoors:Ski Goggles" for eVar1 is assigned to the product "Fernie Snow Goggles". All subsequent
success events (product adds, checkouts, purchases, and so on) that involve this product are credited to "goggles".
Additionally, the current value of the merchandising variable is tied to all subsequent products until one of the following
conditions is met:
If you are using Conversion Variable Syntax, an instance is counted each time the variable is set. However, the
instance is attributed to "None" unless the following occurs each time the variable is set:
A binding event is set.
The products variable is set.
The merchandising eVar has a value.
For example, the following instance of eVar1 is allocated to "Outdoors:Ski Goggles":
s.eVar1="Outdoors:Ski Goggles"
s.events="prodView"
s.products=";Fernie Snow Goggles"
However, in the next example, the instance of eVar1 is allocated to "None" since all conditions are not met when
the eVar is set (there is no binding event and the products variable is not set):
Allocation to "None" occurs if you set a value for an eVar on a page where no binding event occurs, or if you set the
eVar value in the products string without a binding event.
Note: The current functionality for counting instances on merchandising variables is being reviewed and is
scheduled to change in an upcoming release.
The s.t() function is what compiles all the variables defined on that page into an image request and sends it to our
servers.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 178
Implementation
Upon generating code within the code manager, you are given the following at the bottom of the page code:
var s_code=s.t();if(s_code)document.write(s_code)//--></script>
<script language="JavaScript"
type="text/javascript"><!--if(navigator.appVersion.indexOf('MSIE')>=0)document.write(unescape('%3C')+'\!-'+'-')//--></script>
<noscript><img src="http://yournameserver.112.2o7.net/b/ss/yourreportsuiteid/1/H.23.6--NS/0"
height="1" width="1" border="0" alt="" /></noscript>
This line of code is what actually fires the Javascript function. The s_code variable and it's accompanying
document.write method is for browsers that don't support image objects (Netscape browsers prior to version 3 and
Internet Explorer prior to version 4; estimated less than .5% of all internet users).
<script language="JavaScript"
type="text/javascript"><!--if(navigator.appVersion.indexOf('MSIE')>=0)document.write(unescape('%3C')+'\!-'+'-')//--></script>
<noscript><img
src="http://yournameserver.112.2o7.net/b/ss/yourreportsuiteid/1/H.23.6--NS/0" height="1"
width="1" border="0" alt="" />
For any additional questions about the s.t() function, contact your organization's Account Manager. They can arrange
a meeting with an Adobe Implementation Consultant, who can provide assistance.
File downloads and exit links can be automatically tracked based on parameters set in the AppMeasurement for
JavaScript file.
If needed, these types of links can be manually tracked using custom link code as explained below. In addition,
custom link code can be used to track generic custom links that can be used for a variety of tracking and reporting
needs.
Variable Description
this
The first argument should always be set either to this (default) or true. The argument refers
to the object being clicked; when set to "this," it refers to the HREF property of the link.
If you are implementing link tracking on an object that has no HREF property, you should
always set this argument to "true."
Because clicking a link often takes a visitor off the current page, a 500ms delay is used to
ensure that an image request is sent to Adobe before the user leaves the page. This delay
is only necessary when leaving the page, but is typically present when the s.tl() function is
called. If you want to disable the delay, pass the keyword 'true' as the first parameter when
calling the s.tl() function.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 179
Variable Description
linkType s.tl(this,linkType,linkName, variableOverrides, doneAction)
linkType has three possible values, depending on the type of link that you want to capture.
If the link is not a download or an exit link, you should choose the Custom links option.
linkName This can be any custom value, up to 100 characters. This determines how the link is displayed
in the appropriate report.
variableOverrides (Optional, pass null if not using) This lets you change variable values for this single call, It is
similar to other AppMeasurement libraries.
useForcedLinkTracking
This flag is used to disable forced link tracking for some browsers. Forced link tracking is
enabled by default for FireFox 20+ and WebKit browsers.
Default Value
true
Example
s.useForcedLinkTracking = false
forcedLinkTrackingTimeout
The maximum number of milliseconds to wait for tracking to finish before performing the
doneAction that was passed into s.tl . This value specifies the maximum wait time. If the
track link call completes before this timeout, the doneAction is executed immediately. If you
notice that track link calls are not completing, you might need to increase this timeout.
Default Value
250
Example
s.forcedLinkTrackingTimeout = 500
doneAction
An optional parameter to specify a navigation action to execute after the track link call
completes when useForcedLinkTracking is enabled.
Syntax
s.tl(linkObject,linkType,linkName,variableOverrides,doneAction)
doneAction : (optional) Specifies the action to take after the link track call is sent or has
timed out, based on the value specified by:
s.forcedLinkTrackingTimeout
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 180
Variable Description
The doneAction variable can be the string navigate, which causes the method to set
document.location to the href attribute of linkObject. The doneAction variable can also
be a function allowing for advanced customization.
If providing a value for doneAction in an anchor onClick event, you must return false after
the s.tl call to prevent the default browser navigation.
To mirror the default behavior and follow the URL specified by the href attribute, provide a
string of navigate as the doneAction .
Optionally, you can provide your own function to handle the navigation event by passing this
function as the doneAction.
Examples
<a href="..." onclick="s.tl(this,'o','MyLink',null,'navigate');return
false">Click Here</a> <a href="#"
onclick="s.tl(this,'o','MyLink',null,function(){if(confirm('Proceed?'))document.location=...});return
false">Click Here</a>
Example
The following example of an s.tl() function call uses the default 500 ms delay to ensure data is collected before
leaving the page.
s.tl(this,'o','link name');
The following example disables the 500 ms delay, if the user is not going to leave the page, or whenever the object
being clicked has no HREF.
s.tl(true,'o','link name');
The 500ms delay is a maximum delay. If the image requested returns in less than 500 ms, the delay stops immediately.
This allows the visitor to move onto the next page or next action within the page.
The following examples are for handling custom links on WebKit browsers:
<a href="..." onclick="s.tl(this,'o','MyLink',null,'navigate');return false">Click Here</a>
<a href="#" onclick="s.tl(this,'o','MyLink',null,
function(){if(confirm('Proceed?'))document.location=...});return false">Click Here</a>
Note: Uses of custom link code are often very specific to your Web site and reporting needs. You can contact
your Adobe Consultant or Customer Care before implementing custom link code to understand the possibilities
available to you and how best to leverage this feature based on your business needs.
The basic code to track a link using custom link code is shown in the following example:
<a href="index.html" onClick="s.tl(this,'o','Link Name')">My Page</a>
Note: The s_gi function must contain your report suite ID as a function parameter. Be sure to swap out rsid
for your unique report suite ID.
Note: If the link name parameter is not defined, the URL of the link (determined from the "this" object) is used
as the link name.
The parameters trackDownloadLinks and trackExternalLinks determine if automatic file download and exit link
tracking are enabled. When enabled, any link with a file type matching one of the values in linkDownloadFileTypes
is automatically tracked as a file download. Any link with a URL that does not contain one of the values in
linkInternalFilters is automatically tracked as an exit link.
In JavaScript H.25.4 (released February 2013), automatic exit link tracking was updated to always ignore links with
HREF attributes that start with #, about:, or javascript:.
Example 1
The file types jpg and aspx are not included in linkDownloadFileTypes above, therefore no clicks on them are
automatically tracked and reported as file downloads.
The parameter linkLeaveQueryString modifies the logic used to determine exit links.When linkLeaveQueryString=false,
exit links are determined using only the domain, path, and file portion of the link URL.When linkLeaveQueryString=true,
the query string portion of the link URL is also used to determine an exit link.
Example 2
With the following settings, the example below will be counted as an exit link:
//JS file
s.linkInternalFilters="javascript:,mysite.com"
s.linkLeaveQueryString=false
//HTML file
<a href='http://othersite.com/index.html?r=mysite.com'>Visit Other Site!</a>
Example 3
With the following settings, the link below is not counted as an exit link:
//JS file
s.linkInternalFilters="javascript:,mysite.com"
s.linkLeaveQueryString=true
//HTML
<a href='http://othersite.com/index.html?r=mysite.com'>Visit Other Site</a>
Note: A single link can be tracked only as a file download or exit link, with file download taking priority. If a
link is both an exit link and file download based on the parameters linkDownloadFileTypes and linkInternalFilters,
it is tracked and reported as a file download and not an exit link. The following table summarizes the automatic
tracking of file downloads and exit links.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 182
Link Tracking consists of calling the AppMeasurement for JavaScript function whenever the user performs actions
that generate data you want to capture. This function, s.tl(), is either called directly in an event handler, such as
onClick or onChange, or from within a separate function. This s.tl() function has five arguments. The first three are
required:
s.tl(this,linkType,linkName, variableOverrides, doneAction)
After this update, download and exit links that are automatically tracked (determined bys.trackDownloadLinksand
s.trackExternalLinks) are tracked successfully. If you are tracking custom links using manual JavaScript calls,
you need to modify how these calls are made. For example, exit and download links are often tracked using code
similar to the following:
<a href="http://anothersite.com" onclick="s.tl(this,'e','AnotherSite',null)">
Internet Explorer executes the track link call and open the new page. Other browsers might cancel execution of the
track link call when the new page opens. This often prevents track link calls from completing.
To work around this behavior, H.25 (released July 2012) includes an overloaded track link method ( s.tl ) that
forces browsers with this behavior to wait for the track link call to complete. This new method executes the track link
call and handles the navigation event, instead of using the default browser action. This overloaded method requires
an additional parameter, called doneAction, to specify the action to take when the link tracking call completes.
To use this new method, update calls to s.tl with an additional doneAction parameter, similar to the following:
<a href="http://anothersite.com"
onclick="s.tl(this,'e','AnotherSite',null,'navigate');return false">
Passing navigate as the doneAction mirrors the default browser behavior and opens the URL specified by the href
attribute when the tracking call completes.
In JavaScript H.25.4 (released February 2013), the following scope limitations were added to links tracked when
useForcedLinkTracking is enabled. The automatic forced link tracking applies only to:
Image requests are hard coded by adding the "pe" parameter to your image request src parameter as follows:
pe=[type]
Where [type] is replaced with the type of link you want to track:
lnk_d = download
lnk_e = exit
lnk_o = custom
Additionally, a link URL can be specified by passing the URL in the pev1 parameter:
pev1=mylink.com
A link name can be specified by passing the name in the pev2 parameter:
pev2=My%20Link
For example:
<img
src="http://collectiondomain.112.2o7.net/b/ss/reportsuite/1/H.25.3--NS/0?pe=lnk_e&pev1=othersite.com&pev2=Offsite%20Link"
width="1" height="1" border="0" />
Setting Additional Variables for File Downloads, Exit Links, and Custom Links
Two parameters (linkTrackVars and linkTrackEvents) control which Analytics variables are set for file downloads,
exit links, and custom links.
They are, by default, set within the JS file as follows:
s.linkTrackVars="None"
s.linkTrackEvents="None"
The linkTrackVars parameter should include each variable that you want to track with every file download, exit link,
and custom link. The linkTrackEvents parameter should include each event you want to track with every file download,
exit link, and custom link. When one of these link types occur, the current value of each variable identified is tracked.
For example to track prop1, eVar1, and event1 with every file download, exit link, and custom link, use the following
settings within the global JS file:
s.linkTrackVars="prop1,eVar1,events"
s.linkTrackEvents="event1"
Note: The variable pageName cannot be set for a file download, exit link, or custom link, because each of
the link types is not a page view and does not have an associated page name.
Note: If linkTrackVars (or linkTrackEvents) is null (or an empty string), all Analytics variables (or events) that
are defined for the current page are tracked. This most likely inflates instances of each variable inadvertently
and should be avoided.
Best Practices
The settings for linkTrackVars and linkTrackEvents within the JS file affect every file download, exit link, and custom
link. Instances of each variable and event can be inflated in situations where the variable (or event) applies to the
current page, but not the specific file download, exit link, or custom link.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 184
To ensure that the proper variables are set with custom link code, Adobe recommends setting linkTrackVars and
linkTrackEvents within the custom link code, as follows:
<a href="index.html" onClick="
var s=s_gi('rsid');
s.linkTrackVars='prop1,prop2,eVar1,eVar2,events';
s.linkTrackEvents='event1';
s.prop1='Custom Property of Link';
s.events='event1';
s.tl(this,'o','Link Name');
">My Page
The values of linkTrackVars and linkTrackEvents override the settings in the JS file and ensure only the variables
and events specified in the custom link code are set for the specific link.
Note: In the above example, the value for prop1 is set within the custom link code itself. The value of prop2
comes from the current value of the variable as set on the page.
function trackClickInteraction(name){
var s=s_gi('rsid');
s.linkTrackVars='prop42,prop35';
s.prop42=name;
s.prop35=s.pageName;
s.tl(true,'o','track interaction',null,'navigate');
}
/* Set Click Interaction values (without timeout pre H25 code*/
function trackClickInteraction(name){
var s=s_gi('rsid');
s.linkTrackVars='prop42,prop35';
s.prop42=name;
s.prop35=s.pageName;
s.tl(true,'o','track interaction');
}
Note: If needed, you can pass the link type and link name as additional parameters for the JavaScript function.
You can use code similar to the following to call these functions:
<a href=http://www.your-site.com/some_page.php
onclick=trackClickInteraction('this.href');>Link Text</a>
For example, if you are tracking PDF downloads automatically, the following code results in a duplicate download
count:
function trackDownload(obj) {
var s=s_gi('rsid');
s.linkTrackVars='None';
s.linkTrackEvents='None';
s.tl(obj,'d','PDF Document');
}
To ensure link double counting does not occur, use the following modified JavaScript function:
<script language=JavaScript>
function linkCode(obj) {
var s=s_gi('rsid');
s.linkTrackVars='None';
s.linkTrackEvents='None';
var lt=obj.href!=null?s.lt(obj.href):"";
if (lt=="") { s.tl(obj,'d','PDF Document'); }
}
The last two lines of the code above modify the behavior of custom link code so only the automatic tracking behavior
occurs, eliminating any possible double counting.
This allows the link to be tracked and the popup to load as expected.
linkName
The name that will appear in the custom, download or exit If set with linkType , an image request
link report. Truncated at 100 characters. Can be set to any will be sent as a download, custom or
string. exit link
This is the pev2 parameter in the image request.
linkURL
The URL of the link, which acts as the name if a linkName If set with linkType, an image request
does not exist. Can be set to any URL string. will be sent as a download, custom or
exit link
This is the pev1 parameter in the image request.
linkObject
The clicked object for reference. This is read-only. No direct impact on measurement.
Example
function s_doPlugins(s) {
if (s.linkType == "d" && s.linkURL.indexOf(".aspx?f=") {
//special tracking for .aspx file download script
s.eVar11 = s.linkURL.substring(s.linkURL.lastIndexOf("?f=") + 3, s.linkURL.length);
}
The s.sa() function lets you dynamically change a report suite at any time on the page, before or after an image
request fires.
If your organization wants to send data to different report suites without a page reload, using this function is strongly
recommended.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 187
This information is suited for advanced users who are well-versed in both reporting and implementation. Do not
attempt to make any edits to your implementation without complete knowledge of its consequences. If you require
implementation changes, contact your organization's Account Manager.
Implementation Examples
Sending video data to one report suite while sending the rest to another:
// Set in the core JS file by default
var s=s_gi('prodrsid');
Note: clearVars() is included in About AppMeasurement for JavaScript, it is not available in H code and
previous.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 188
The s_gi() function is used to create or find your instance of AppMeasurement by report suite ID. Internally,
AppMeasurement keeps track of every instance created, and s_gi() returns the existing instance for a report suite
if one exists. If an instance does not exist, a new instance is created and returned.
We recommend calling s_gi() before setting variables and making tracking calls throughout your page code. This
ensures that the correct object is used to make the tracking call in the case that the s variable is inadvertently
overwritten.
Util.cookieRead
Parameters:
Parameter Description
key (required) key to write value for in cookies.
Returns:
Example:
var myCookie = s.Util.cookieRead("my_cookie");
Util.cookieWrite
Syntax:
s.Util.cookieWrite(key, value [,expire])
Parameters:
Parameter Description
key (required) key to write value for in cookies.
value (optional) value to write to cookies.
expire (optional) Date object containing the expiration date for the cookie. Default is to use a session
cookie.
Returns:
Example:
//set a cookie with an expiration 6 months from now
var date = new Date();
date.setMonth(date.getMonth() + 6);
var success = s.Util.cookieWrite("my_cookie", "my_value", date);
Util.getQueryParam
Returns the value of a specified query string parameter, if found in the current page URL or in the provided string.
Because important data (such as campaign tracking codes, internal search keywords, etc.) is available in the query
string on a page, getQueryParam helps capture the data into Analytics variables.
Syntax:
s.Util.getQueryParam(key, [url], [delim])
Note: The syntax for the utility differs from the syntax for the plug-in.
Parameters:
Parameter Description
key (required) The name of the query string parameter that you want to get. This parameter is case
sensitive.
url (optional) Default url is s.pageURL or window.location. Specifying a value for this parameter
overrides the URL from which the query parameter is retrieved to the one specified.
delim (optional) Parameter delimiter in the URL. Default delimiter is "&". This lets you to specify an
alternate query-string delimiter, such as ";".
Returns:
This function returns the value of the query-string variable or an empty string if it's not found.
Example:
s.doPlugins = function(s) {
s.campaign = s.Util.getQueryParam("cid");
};
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 190
Offline Tracking
The following variables and functions let you store measurement calls when the application is offline.
Note: To enable offline tracking, your report suite must be timestamp-enabled. If timestamps are enabled on
your report suite, your trackOffline configuration property must be true. if your report suite is not timestamp
enabled, your trackOffline configuration property must be false. If this is not configured correctly, data will
be lost. If you are not sure if a report suite is timestamp enabled, contact Customer Care.
Examples:
s.trackOffline=true;
Examples:
s.offlineHitLimit=100;
offlineThrottleDelay Default: 0
Specifies a cadence (or delay), in milliseconds, for sending buffered hit data when
AppMeasurement detects an active network connection. Doing so mitigates the
performance impact of sending multiple hits on the application.
For example, if offlineThrottleDelay=1000, and it takes 300ms to send the hit data,
AppMeasurement waits 700ms before sending the next buffered hit.
s.offlineThrottleDelay=1000;
forceOnline Manually set the online or offline state of the measurement object. The library
automatically detects when the device is offline or online, so these methods are needed
forceOffline
only if you want to force measurement offline. forceOnline is used only to return to
the online state after manually going offline.
Data Collection
<my.a>red</my.a>
or:
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 192
For example:
23/09/2016 14:00:00 1
420
ts None
timestamp The custom timestamp
calculated and sent in with
the hit. Typically used for
offline tracking.
Header Usage
Cookie Reading cookies previously created by our data collection servers. All of these cookies
are prefixed by "s_" like our visitor ID cookie "s_vi" except for out opt-out cookie
"omniture_optout".
User-Agent Used for browser, operating system, and mobile device detection.
X-Device-User-Agent Used as an alternative to User-Agent for correct browser, operating system, and mobile
device detection for some browsers like OperaMini.
X-Original-User-Agent Used as an alternative to User-Agent for correct browser, operating system, and mobile
device detection for some browsers like OperaMini.
X-OperaMini-Phone-UA Used as an alternative to User-Agent for correct browser, operating system, and mobile
device detection for some browsers like OperaMini.
X-Skyfire-Phone Used as an alternative to User-Agent for correct browser, operating system, and mobile
device detection for some browsers like OperaMini.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 196
X-Bolt-Phone-UA Used as an alternative to User-Agent for correct browser, operating system, and mobile
device detection for some browsers like OperaMini.
UA-OS Used as an alternative was to identify the operating system.
UA-Pixels Used as an alternate source for the screen resolution of the client screen.
UA-Color Used as an alternate source for the color depth of the client screen.
X-moz Detecting that the data collection request was made as part of pre-fetching a webpage.
X-Purpose Detecting that the data collection request was made as the browser was showing a
preview of a webpage.
Accept Used to identify the image formats supported by the browser so we know if we need to
send back a GIF or WBMP image.
Referrer Used as a fallback for getting information about the page URL the data collection request
was made from when it wasn't passed in on the query-string or when it's different from
the value in the query-string.
X-Forwarded-For Used to find the correct IP address for the client that made the data collection request.
The IP address is used to generate geographic region, mobile carrier, and other reports.
Note: Implementations using dynamic variables have the option of reading in other HTTP request headers
not listed above.
Header Usage
Access-Control-Allow-Origin Used to enable support for cross-origin resource sharing style data collection requests
to our servers.
Expires Browser caching control.
Last-Modified Browser caching control.
Cache-Control Browser caching control.
Pragma Browser caching control.
ETag Browser caching control.
Vary Browser caching control.
P3P Provides the default or custom P3P policy for the data collection request.
Status Contains "SUCCESS" or "FAILURE" status for a no content request. Used only when
the request specifies that no content should be returned.
Reason Contains the reason for the failure status of a no content request. Used only when the
request specifies that no content should be returned.
Location Used to redirect the client making the data collection request off to a different URL. An
example is our cookie handshake to detect the ability to set the visitor ID cookie.
Content-Type Specifies the type of content sent back to the client (GIF, text, Javascript, etc).
Content-Length Specifies the size of the content sent back to the client.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 197
Note: Other HTTP headers may be set in the response for internal status monitoring. Some of these headers
might be returned to the browser, but it is not necessary that they receive them.
Variable Overrides
Variable overrides let you change a variable value for a single track or track link call.
To override variables, create a new object, assign variable values, and pass this object as the first parameter to
s.t(), or as the fourth parameter to s.tl():
s.eVar1="one";
s.eVar2="two";
s.eVar3="three";
s.t(overrides);
// values passed: eVar1="1_one", eVar2="", eVar3="three"
s.linkTrackVars="eVar1,eVar2,eVar3,events";
s.eVar1="one";
s.eVar2="two";
s.eVar3="three";
s.tl(this,'e','AnotherSite',overrides,'navigate')
// values passed: eVar1="1_one", eVar2="", eVar3="three"
For more information on configuring Analytics to automatically select a Report Suite ID, contact Adobe Live Support.
Multiple Rules
If multiple rules are selected (see example above), the rules are executed from left to right. The rules stop as soon
as a match is made, as shown below (with the given set of rules).
s.dynamicAccountSelection=true
s.dynamicAccountList="devreportsuite1=qa.client.com;reportsuite1=client.com"
The code first checks to determine if "qa.client.com" exists within the Host/Domain Name. If so, the report suite
"devreportsuite1" is selected, and the match stops. Separate multiple rules with semi-colons.
In the case above, if the host/domain name did not contain either "qa.client.com" or "client.com," the report suite
"defaultreportsuiteid" would be used.
Common Errors
In the case above, defaultreportsuiteid is always used after the other two lines are removed.
Placement of Code
Defining s_account after the lines of code does not override the dynamic account selection, as shown below.
var s_account="defaultreportsuiteid"
s.dynamicAccountSelection=true
s.dynamicAccountList="devreportsuite1=qa.client.com;reportsuite1=client.com"
s_account="anotherreportsuiteid"
In the example above, the account "anotherreportsuiteid" overrides "defaultreportsuiteid," but does not override any
matches that occur in s.dynamicAccountList. The function that evaluates s.dynamicAccountList is actually
executed much later in the .JS file.
Multi-Suite Tagging
Multi-suite tagging may be used in conjunction with dynamic account selection, as shown below.
s.dynamicAccountSelection=true
s.dynamicAccountList="suiteid1,suiteid2=client.com"
The best way to capture this data depends on how your forms are processed. It also depends on whether the form
selections you want to capture are available in the query string on the page following the form submission. Examples
in this article are given in PHP. However, you can adapt these concepts to another language, depending on your
server environment.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 200
This information is suited for advanced users who are well-versed in both reporting and implementation. Do not
attempt to make any edits to your implementation without complete knowledge of its consequences. If you require
implementation changes, contact your organization's Account Manager.
GET Method
If your form uses a GET method to submit data, you have access to the desired data in the query string of the URL
on the page following form submission. You can use the getQueryParam plug-in to capture this data out of the
query string automatically and place it into the variable of your choosing.
POST Method
If your form uses a POST method to submit data (which is more common), you have the results for each specific
form element available to you in the $_POST superglobal. To capture this in a variable, you want to determine the
form element name in question. Using the music genre example mentioned before, part of the form element in
question look like this:
<input type="radio" name="music_genre" value="rock">
This radio button belongs to the "music_genre" form element. You then have access to the user's selected value by
using $_POST['music_genre']. This can be written to a variable on the page following the form submission:
s.eVar1="<?=$_POST['music_genre'];?>"
The eVar1 variable receives a copy of whatever value was submitted to your server through the form, as specified
in the value= property.
If you need additional information regarding this custom implementation method, contact your organization's Account
Manager. They can arrange a meeting with one of our Implementation Consultants to provide the help you need.
Implementation Guidelines
Following these guidelines results in using the same cookie domains, which lets visits be tracked between various
types of implementations.
RSID: The report suite ID
VNS: Visitor name space, the subdomain of 2o7.net or omtrdc.net used to store the visitor ID cookie
COOKIEDOMAIN: Your VNS + trackingServer. Depending on your data center and RDC configuration, these can
greatly vary. See Correctly populate the trackingServer and trackingServerSecure variable or contact Client Care
if you are unsure about you data collection domain.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 201
Javascript:
var s_account="RSID"
s.visitorNamespace="VNS"
s.trackingServer="VNS.COOKIEDOMAIN.net"
Hardcoded image request:
AppMeasurement:
var s_account="RSID"
s.visitorNamespace="VNS"
s.trackingServer="VNS.COOKIEDOMAIN.net"
Hardcoded image request:
If using a first-party cookie implementation, VNS.COOKIEDOMAIN.net can be replaced with the first-party cookie
domain used. For example, first-party cookies on adobe.com would be replaced with something similar to
metrics.adobe.com.
Implementation Example
Using adobe.com as an example, the implementations described here reference the same visid cookie.
Javascript:
var s_account="omniturecom"
s.visitorNamespace="omniture"
s.trackingServer="omniture.112.2o7.net"
Appmeasurement:
s.account="omniturecom";
s.visitorNamespace="omniture";
s.trackingServer="omniture.112.2o7.net";
Javascript:
var s_account="omniturecom"
s.visitorNamespace"omniture"
s.trackingServer="metrics.omniture.com"
Appmeasurement:
s.account="omniturecom";
s.visitorNamespace="omniture";
s.trackingServer="metrics.omniture.com";
The need to track user interaction with AJAX and other rich media applications is paramount to analytics success
and realization of the return on investment in the Web design. The focus of this white paper is to provide
recommendations for tracking rich Internet applications, specifically those that use AJAX.
What to Track
One of the most commonly asked questions with RIA is how to track micro-level activity separate from macro-level
activity, and when it is appropriate to do either. For example, say you have an application that allows customers to
uniquely configure a product. The application may have significant steps the users are exposed to. Are these steps
considered page views? In addition, there are micro-level activities within each step. Should these activities be
tracked as page views?
What if you want to understand the flow between activities, or which features get the most activity? The trouble with
RIA is that each application is unique. They are designed to mimic realistic actions, and since actions are relative
to the situation, the possibilities are endless. However, most applications have a few major components: milestone
steps, features, and micro-level actions within features. So, while each application requires some consideration as
to what specifically should be measured, there are some generalizations that can be applied to RIA tracking.
Macro-Level Activity
Macro-level activity usually constitutes the loading of the application. This provides information on visits, visitors,
instances, value to future actions, and so forth. It can, and should, also represent major steps in the process. A good
rule of thumb is that if an RIA action changes the application more than 50% (or whatever is considered significantly
changing the user experience or content), then it is macro-level, and should be tracked as a page view.
Micro-Level Activity
Micro-level activity includes any changes less than 50% (or not considered as significantly changing the user
experience or content). Toggling between color selections, for instance, would be considered micro-level activity.
Adobe recommends that micro-level tracking be related to features. For example, in the case of toggling between
colors, is it really important to understand which colors were considered? Or is it more important to know that the
color selection feature was used? Perhaps both are important, and if so, capture both, but when measuring the
effectiveness of RIA, consider the feature level activity as being more valuable.
All micro-level activity should be tracked as custom links with specifics measured through associated traffic variables
(props and eVars if the use needs to be measured against success events). This ensures that page views are not
inflated by micro-level activity, and allows for path analysis through the traffic variable.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 203
What to Analyze
It is important to understand how effectively your RIA is driving success. Success is most commonly measured
through conversions. A macro-level analysis provides insight into RIA effectiveness as a whole. Micro-level analysis
may provide insight into which features help drive conversion.
You should measure efficiency of your RIA. This is an analysis of micro-level activity relative to the RIA macro
metrics. Do users go through more steps than necessary to arrive at the same goal? Analysis metrics might include
visits/features activity; page views/feature activity, visitors/feature activity, and so forth.
Conduct analysis on path flow and fall out. Are users avoiding the RIA and finding another path to the goal? Run
fallout reports built around the site and RIA flow. Run path analysis from landing pages to gauge the true traffic
patterns. Look at barriers and incentives to guide users toward the goal.
Suggested Metrics
RIA Visits
RIA Visitors
RIA Page Views
RIA Feature Activity (Custom Links) measure click activity by feature
Suggested Analysis
RIA Feature Activity / RIA Page Views
RIA Feature Activity / RIA Visits -
RIA Page Views / Success Metric - Conversion Ratio: measures application effectiveness
Total RIA Activity / Success Metric - Conversion Ratio: measures application efficiency
Feature RIA Activity / Success Metric - Conversion Ratio: measures application feature efficiency
Path Flow to and from RIA
Fallout Rates through RIA conversion process
Implementing with AJAX is exactly like deploying code on a standard HTML page.
The business has questions that need answers, the needs are assessed and variables assigned. The design is then
applied and deployed. These concepts should be familiar if you have already been through the initial stages of
implementation.
The new content is considered a page view for the site or is considered moving from one page to another.
The content of the page changes more than 50% (or whatever is considered significantly changing the user
experience or content).
The page path must be tracked for each user interaction with the RIA.
Example
Note: Before you call s.t(), you must clear any values on the s object that you do not want to persist. if you
are using AppMeasurement for JavaScript, you can call s.clearVars(). If you are using H code, write a
simple routine to set variables to an empty string.
s.clearVars();
s.pageName="New Page"
s.prop1="some value"
void(s.t());
The following example shows a tracking call in the done callback of the JQuery .ajax function:
$.ajax({
url: "test.html",
dataType: "html"
})
.done(function( response ) {
$( "#content" ).html( response );
s.clearVars();
s.pageName = $( "h1:first" ).text();
s.t();
});
Set the values appropriate for the changed content, namely the pageName variable.
After the variables are set, call the tl() function.
Syntax
//set linkTrackVars and linkTrackEvents> (if applicable)
//set new variables
s.tl(this,'o','Link Name');
Example
s.linkTrackVars="prop1,eVar1,events"; s.linkTrackEvents="event1";
s.prop1="some value"; s.eVar1="another value"; s.events="event1";
s.tl(this,'o','My Link Name');
Placement of Code
There are generally two places to track data with AJAX: at the time of the request or in the reply. In most cases,
macro-data (page information) should be sent at the time of reply by having the code embedded in the HTML of the
new content. For micro-data tracking (links, etc.) it is more common to use a custom links approach by inserting the
code in the onClick attribute of the link, button, etc.
Metric Description
Click-throughs Displays the number of click-throughs tracked from the email to the landing
page.
Purchases and/or Successes Displays the number of purchases resulting from the email.
Orders Displays the number of orders placed as a result of the email.
Yield Displays the dollar amount per visit generated from the email.
Conversion Displays the number of leads, registrations, or any other success event
generated from the email.
Modifications to the HTML email body and the JavaScript library are required in order to capture the key metrics
shown above.
Implementation
There are several steps to follow in order to successfully display email campaign analysis data. The steps are
described as follows:
Contact Adobe Customer Care for details on setting up and using tracking codes.
2. Add query string parameters to HTML email links.
In order to track a user click-through and subsequent success events, a query string parameter needs to be
added to each link within the HTML email.You can choose to track each link separately or track all links together.
Each link can have a unique tracking code, or all links can have the same tracking code. Consider the following
hypothetical link within the email to a website:
<a href="http://www.mycompany.com/index.asp">Visit our home page</a>
The following query string parameters ?sc_cid=112233B should be added to the link above:
<a href= "http://www.mycompany.com/index.asp?sc_cid=112233B">Visit our home page</a>
Each query string parameter that needs to be copied into a variable should have one getQueryParam call.
In the example above, the query string parameter sc_cid is copied into campaign.
Only the first call to getQueryParam is required to capture click-throughs. Contact Adobe Customer Care to
implement this function and ensure that your version of the JavaScript file contains the getQueryParam
plug-in.
b. Make sure the Code to Paste JavaScript tags are on all landing pages. This Code to Paste must reference
the version of s_code.js altered in Part A.
The following points are important to remember when updating the JavaScript library. These points are listed
below.
The query string parameter sc_cid must be visible in the URL on the final landing page otherwise no
click-through conversion is recorded.
The sc_cid parameter is an example of a query string parameter. Any query string parameter can be used
and captured by the getQueryParam plug-in. Make sure that the query string parameters are used only for
campaign tracking. Any time the parameters appear in a query string, their values are copied into campaign.
Pathing analysis by email campaign can be accomplished similarly to pathing by another campaign. You can
use a variable to show pathing by campaign, as explained in the following steps:
a. Consult Adobe Customer Care about turning on pathing for a Custom Insight variable (prop)
b. On all pages, copy the page name into the designated s.prop.
c. On the email landing page, append the name of the email campaign to the prop. The result displays as shown
below:
s.prop1="Home Page : 123456"
When pathing is enabled for the Custom Insight variable, you can use Path reports (such as Next Page
Flow or Fallout) to see visitor navigation from the landing page.
Some visitors to your website may prefer not to have their browsing information aggregated and analyzed by Adobe
Marketing Cloud products and services or used to provide relevant content and advertising. Adobe offers you the
ability to provide visitors to your website a means to opt out of their information being collected by the following
Adobe products:
Adobe Analytics
Adobe Target
Adobe Audience Targeted Creative
Adobe AudienceManager
Adobe AdLens
Adobe Experience Manager
Visitors can learn more about how Adobe generally uses information it collects in connection with providing our
products and services to our customers in the Adobe Privacy Center. However, because you exclusively control
how to implement our services on your web sites, it is up to you to describe to your website visitors the specific ways
in which they use our products and services. You are responsible for the creation of your own privacy policy, for
complying with your privacy policy, for complying with your service agreement with Adobe, and for complying with
all applicable laws.
Opt-outs for Adobe Analytics (including reports & analytics, data warehouse, ad hoc analysis and
SearchCenter+)
Adobe offers three types of opt-outs for Adobe Analytics (including reports & analytics, data warehouse, ad hoc
analysis and SearchCenter+):
If you implement Adobe Analytics products with your own first-party cookie, you need to develop your own customized
opt-out link for your website visitors.
Adobe also provides an opt-out mechanism to the public for websites using cookies set from Adobes 2o7.net and
omtrdc.net domains. This opt-out mechanism can be accessed from the Adobe Privacy Center.
Your customers have the option of enabling opt-out using the browser's cookie settings. See Enable privacy settings
for browser cookies.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 208
Regardless of the opt-out mechanism you choose, Adobe recommends that you clearly describe the availability of
the opt-out mechanism in your privacy policy or as otherwise required by law or recommended according to current
best practices.
Specify an opt-out link, and customize the branding for the link. Visitors to your web site may choose not to have
their activity tracked in Adobes analytics products by visiting the opt-out page for your data collection domain.
If a user chooses not to be tracked and an opt-out cookie is set, your JavaScript file will continue to send data to
Adobe servers but that data will not be processed or reported on.
The collection_domain section of the URL structure is the trackingServer used in your JavaScript file. The collection
domain used for your Adobe Analytics implementation can be seen in the DigitalPulse debugger in the first row of
the Adobe Analytics table, which is labeled either First Party Cookies or Third Party Cookies depending on your
implementation. The collection domain for your website may contain 2o7.net, omtrdc.net or your website domain,
such as metrics.example.com.
Visitors opt-out by clicking the link on the opt-out page, thereby causing a cookie to be set in their browser. By having
the omniture_optout cookie for the applicable tracking domain, the user's activities will not be reported by Adobe
Analytics. You can provide your own link to the opt-out cookie, or you can follow the steps below to set the opt-out
cookie.
Adobe offers opt-outs for all implementation types.You are responsible for your own privacy policy and for remaining
in compliance with your signed terms. Note that the link to the opt-out page changes based on your implementation
type, as outlined here.
If you implement Adobe Analytics products and services with cookies set on domains owned by Adobe (i.e. 207.net
or omtrdc.net), you can point your website visitors to the opt-out mechanism provided in the Adobe Privacy Center
for all sites that use Adobe cookies for Adobe Analytics products and services. The direct link to the Adobe opt-out
mechanism is http://collection_domain/optout.html.
locale=[code]: Provides a translated version of the opt-out page. The following locales are supported:
en_US (default)
de_DE
es_ES
fr_FR
jp_JP
ko_KR
zh_CN
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 209
zh_TW
popup=1: Treats the page as if it were a popup, and offers a Close Window button.
A French web page in a full window, containing a link that, when clicked, will prevent the visitor from being tracked
on example.d3.sc.omtrdc.net:
http://example.d3.sc.omtrdc.net/optout.html?locale=fr_FR
A German web page, in a popup window, containing a link that, when clicked, will prevent the visitor from being
tracked on example.112.2o7.net:
http://example.112.2o7.net/optout.html?popup=1&locale=de_DE
Where stats.adobe.com is replaced with whatever the s.trackingServer variable is set to.
Additionally, if you want like to provide a link to opt-in, use the same URL, but replace ?optout=1 with ?optin=1,
and keep the confirm_change=1.
Implementation Plug-ins
AppMeasurement for JavaScript plug-ins are programs or functions that perform several advanced functions.
These plug-ins extend the capabilities of your JavaScript file to give you more functionality that is not available with
a basic implementation. Adobe offers a number of other plug-ins as part of advanced solutions. Contact your Account
Manager if you want to capture data using JavaScript but are unsure how to proceed.
Code Example
The code example below is what the doPlugins function looks like in your JavaScript file:
H code:
/* Plugin Config */
s.usePlugins=true
function s_doPlugins(s) {
/* Add calls to plugins here */
}
s.doPlugins=s_doPlugins
Note: H code and earlier versions use a different syntax to support some very old browsers (such as IE 4
and 5).
Using doPlugins
The doPlugins function provides an easy way to give default values to variables or to take values from query string
parameters on any page of the site. Using doPlugins is often easier than populating the values in the HTML page
because only one file must be updated. Keep in mind that changes to the JavaScript file are not always immediate.
Return visitors to your site are often using cached versions of the JavaScript file. This means that updates to the
file may not be applied to all visitors for up to one month after the change is made.
The following example shows how the doPlugins function can be used to set a default value for a variable and to
get a value from the query string.
/* Plugin Config */
s.usePlugins=true
s.doPlugins=function(s) {
/* Add calls to plugins here */
// if prop1 doesn't have a value, set it to "Default Value"
if(!s.prop1)
s.prop1="Default Value"
// if campaign doesn't have a value, get cid from the query string
if(!s.campaign)
s.campaign=s.getQueryParam('cid');
Installed Plug-ins
To find out whether a plug-in is included in your JavaScript file and ready for use, look in the Plugins Section of
the JavaScript file. The following example shows the getQueryParam function.
/************************** PLUGINS SECTION *************************/
/* You may insert any plugins you wish to use here. */
/*
* Plugin: getQueryParam 1.3 - Return query string parameter values
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 211
*/
s.getQueryParam=new Function("qp","d",""
+"var s=this,v='',i,t;d=d?d:'';while(qp){i=qp.indexOf(',');i=i<0?qp.l"
//
// ... more code below ...
//
s.abort flag
The abort flag can be set inside doPlugins to cause the current track call to not be sent.
The abort flag is reset with every tracking call, so if a subsequent tracking call also needs to be aborted the flag will
need to be set again inside doPlugins.
s.doPlugins = function(s) {
s.campaign = s.getQueryParam("cid");
if ((!s.campaign) && (!s.events)) {
s.abort = true;
}
};
This lets you centralize the logic you use to identify activity that you do not want to track, such as some custom links
or external links in display ads.
appendList
The apl (or appendList) plug-in lets you append a value to any delimited lists, with the option of a case-sensitive or
case-insensitive check to ensure that the value does not already exist in the list. The APL plug-in is referenced by
several standard plug-ins but can be used directly in a variety of situations.
This plug-in is useful for:
Adding an event to the current events variable
Adding a value to a list variable without duplicating a value in the list
Adding a product to the current products variable based on some page logic
Adding values to the parameters linkTrackVars and linkTrackEvents
Use Case 1
s.events="scCheckout"
Code s.events=s.apl(s.events,"event1",",",1)
Results s.events="scCheckout,event1"
Use Case 2
Scenario Add the value history to the list variable prop1, with history
and History considered the same value.
s.prop1="Science,History"
Code s.prop1=s.apl(s.prop1,"history",",",2)
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 212
Results s.prop1="Science,History"
Note: The following instructions require you to alter the data collection code on your site. This can affect data
collection on your site, and should only be done by a developer with experience using and implementing
Analytics.
Implementation
Follow these steps to implement the APL plug-in.
1. Request the plug-in code from Customer Care or your currently assigned Adobe consultant.
2. Add call(s) to the API function as needed within the s_doPlugins function
s.usePlugins=true
function s_doPlugins(s) {
s.events=s.apl(s.events,"event1",",",1)
s.doPlugins=s_doPlugins
Supported Browsers
This plug-in requires that the browser supports JavaScript version 1.0.
Plug-in Information
Parameters apl((L,v,d,u)
v = value to append
d = list delimiter
The source list L can be an empty list, such as L="". The returned value will either be an empty list, or a list of one
value.
Plug-in Code
/********************************************************************
*
* Main Plug-in code (should be in Plug-ins section)
*
*******************************************************************/
/*
* Plugin Utility: apl v1.1
*/
s.apl=new Function("l","v","d","u",""
+"var s=this,m=0;if(!l)l='';if(u){var i,n,a=s.split(l,d);for(i=0;i<a."
+"length;i++){n=a[i];m=m||(u==1?(n==v):(n.toLowerCase()==v.toLowerCas"
+"e()));}}if(!m)l=l?l+d+v:v;return l");
/********************************************************************
*
* Commented example of how to use this is doPlugins function
*
*******************************************************************/
/********************************************************************
*
* Config variables (should be above doPlugins section)
*
*******************************************************************/
None
/********************************************************************
*
* Utility functions that may be shared between plug-ins (name only)
*
*******************************************************************/
s.split
doPlugins Function
JavaScript plug-ins are usually called by the doPlugins function, which is executed when the t() function is called
in the Code to Paste.
Consequently, if you set a variable in the doPlugins function, you may overwrite a variable you set on the HTML
page. The only time the doPlugins function is not called is when the usePlugins variable is set to false.
Code Example
The doPlugins function is typically called s_doPlugins. However, in certain circumstances (usually when more
than one version of Analytics code may appear on a single page), you can change the doPlugins function name.
If the standard doPlugins function needs to be renamed to avoid conflicts, assign doPlugins the correct function
name, as shown in the example below.
/* Plugin Config */
s_mc.usePlugins=true
function s_mc_doPlugins(s_mc) {
/* Add calls to plugins here */
}
s_mc.doPlugins=s_mc_doPlugins
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 214
Using doPlugins
This function provides an easy way to give default values to variables, or to take values from query string parameters
on any page of the site. Using doPlugins can be easier than populating the values in the HTML page, because only
one file must be updated. Changes to the JavaScript file are not always immediate. Return visitors to your site are
often using cached versions of the JavaScript file. Meaning, updates to the file may not be applied to all visitors for
up to one month after the change is made.
The following examples show how you can use the doPlugins function to set a default value for a variable and to
get a value from the query string.
/* Plugin Config */
s.usePlugins=true
function s_doPlugins(s) {
/* Add calls to plugins here */
// if prop1 doesn't have a value, set it to "Default Value"
if(!s.prop1)
s.prop1="Default Value"
// if campaign doesn't have a value, get cid from the query string
if(!s.campaign)
s.campaign=getQueryParam('cid');
}
s.doPlugins=s_doPlugins
Installed Plug-ins
To find out whether a plugin is included in your JavaScript file and ready for use, look in the Plugins Section of the
JavaScript file. The following example shows what the getQueryParam function looks like in the Plugins Section.
/************************** PLUGINS SECTION *************************/
getAndPersistValue
The getAndPersistValue plug-in obtains a value of your choosing and populates it into a Analytics variable for a
determined period. A common use is to see how many page views a campaign generates after a click-through,
which enables you to easily see the most common pages for each campaign.
Important: This plug-in has not been validated to be compatible with AppMeasurement for JavaScript. See
AppMeasurement Plug-in Support.
For example, you might use this plug-in to set a campaign tracking code from the campaign variable into a Custom
Traffic (s.prop) variable on each visitor's page view made for the next 30 days. This example lets you determine
how many page views the tracking code generated as a result of the original click-through.
Note: The following instructions require you to alter the data collection code on your site. This can affect data
collection on your site, and should only be done by a developer with experience using and implementing
Analytics.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 215
Plug-in Configuration
Place the following code within the s_doPlugins() function, which is located in the area of the s_code.js file labeled
Plugin Config. Choose one Custom Traffic (s.prop) variable or one Custom Conversion (s.eVar) variable for use in
capturing persisted value data. This should be a variable that has been enabled using the Admin Console, but which
is not currently in use for any other purpose. You can use the following example and update it based on your
requirements.
s.prop1=s.getAndPersistValue(s.campaign,'s_getval',30);
PLUGINS SECTION: Add the following code to the area of the s_code.js file labeled PLUGINS SECTION. Do
not make any changes to this portion of the plug-in code.
/*
* Plugin: getAndPersistValue 0.3 - get a value on every page
*/
s.getAndPersistValue=new Function("v","c","e",""
+"var s=this,a=new Date;e=e?e:0;a.setTime(a.getTime()+e*86400000);if("
+"v)s.c_w(c,v,e?a:0);return s.c_r(c);");
Always test plug-in installations extensively to ensure that data collection is as expected before deploying in a
production environment.
getDaysSinceLastVisit
Determines the number of days since a user last visited your site, and captures this information in a Analytics variable.
This return frequency data can be used to answer the following questions:
How frequently do users revisit my site?
How does return frequency correlate with conversion? Do repeat buyers visit frequently or infrequently?
Do users who click through my campaigns then return frequently?
The plug-in can also generate values used for segmentation. For example, you can create a segment to view all of
the data for only those visits that were preceded by 30 or more days of non-visitation by the user.
Note: The following instructions require you to alter the data collection code on your site. This can affect data
collection on your site, and should only be done by a developer with experience using and implementing
Analytics.
No changes required.
Plugin Config
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 216
Place the following code within the s_doPlugins() function, which is located in the area of the s_code.js file
labeled Plugin Config. Choose one Custom Traffic (s.prop) variable and/or one Custom Converesion (s.eVar) variable
for use in capturing return frequency data. This selection should be a variable that has been enabled using the Admin
Console but is not currently in use for any other purpose. The following is given as an example, and should be
updated appropriately based on your needs.
s.prop1=s.getDaysSinceLastVisit(Cookie_Name);
PLUGINS SECTION
Add the following code to the area of the s_code.js file labeled PLUGINS SECTION. Do not make any changes
to this portion of the plug-in code.
/*
* Plugin: Days since last Visit 1.1 - capture time from last visit
*/
s.getDaysSinceLastVisit=new Function("c",""
+"var s=this,e=new Date(),es=new Date(),cval,cval_s,cval_ss,ct=e.getT"
+"ime(),day=24*60*60*1000,f1,f2,f3,f4,f5;e.setTime(ct+3*365*day);es.s"
+"etTime(ct+30*60*1000);f0='Cookies Not Supported';f1='First Visit';f"
+"2='More than 30 days';f3='More than 7 days';f4='Less than 7 days';f"
+"5='Less than 1 day';cval=s.c_r(c);if(cval.length==0){s.c_w(c,ct,e);"
+"s.c_w(c+'_s',f1,es);}else{var d=ct-cval;if(d>30*60*1000){if(d>30*da"
+"y){s.c_w(c,ct,e);s.c_w(c+'_s',f2,es);}else if(d<30*day+1 && d>7*day"
+"){s.c_w(c,ct,e);s.c_w(c+'_s',f3,es);}else if(d<7*day+1 && d>day){s."
+"c_w(c,ct,e);s.c_w(c+'_s',f4,es);}else if(d<day+1){s.c_w(c,ct,e);s.c"
+"_w(c+'_s',f5,es);}}else{s.c_w(c,ct,e);cval_ss=s.c_r(c+'_s');s.c_w(c"
+"+'_s',cval_ss,es);}}cval_s=s.c_r(c+'_s');if(cval_s.length==0) retur"
+"n f0;else if(cval_s!=f1&&cval_s!=f2&&cval_s!=f3&&cval_s!=f4&&cval_s"
+"!=f5) return '';else return cval_s;");
Notes
Always test plug-in installations extensively to ensure that data collection is as expected before deploying in a
production environment.
The plug-in categorizes users by return frequency into the following groups:
First Visit
Less than 1 day
Less than 7 days
More than 7 days
More than 30 days
This plug-in relies on cookies to flag a user has having visited previously. If the browser does not accept cookies,
the plug-in returns a value of Cookies Not Supported.
getLoadTime
Gets the page load time in tenths of a second and lets you store the value in a prop, eVar, and/or a numeric event.
To use this plugin, you insert the function code, then call the function twice in your s_code.js file. Once at the
beginning of the file, and then again in the doPlugins section. This plugin is intentionally not defined as a method
of the s object. Doing so would have added to the calculated page load time.
Note: The following instructions require you to alter the data collection code on your site. This can affect data
collection on your site, and should only be done by a developer with experience using and implementing
Analytics.
Add the following definition of the s_getLoadTime function in s_code.js, anywhere before the "DO NOT ALTER
ANYTHING BELOW THIS LINE" section:
function s_getLoadTime(){if(!window.s_loadT){var b=new
Date().getTime(),o=window.performance?performance.timing:0,a=o?o.requestStart:window.inHeadTS||0;s_loadT=a?Math.round((b-a)/100):''}return
s_loadT}
Add a call to s_getLoadTime() near the beginning of s_code.js, outside of any function.
Add another call to s_getLoadTime() in the s_doPlugins() function, saving the returned value in a prop, eVar,
and/or a numeric event.
Usage Example 1 - Save the page load time in prop10 and eVar20:
s.eVar20=s.prop10=s_getLoadTime();
To support older browsers that don't provide the window.performance.timing property, include the following line in
the HEAD section of the page's HTML near the beginning and prior to invoking .js, .css, or other files:
<script type="text/javascript">var inHeadTS=(new Date()).getTime();</script>
getNewRepeat
Determines whether a visitor is a new visitor or a repeat visitor, and captures this information in a Analytics variable.
Use this plug-in to answer the following questions:
What percentage of my visitors are new (as opposed to repeat) visitors?
Do return visitors generate higher conversion per capita than new visitors? What is this ratio?
Do my marketing campaigns cause persistence across visits? For example, do users who click through my
campaigns then return later?
Note: The following instructions require you to alter the data collection code on your site. This can affect data
collection on your site, and should only be done by a developer with experience using and implementing
Analytics.
Plug-in Configuration
Place the following code within the s_doPlugins() function, which is located in the area of the s_code.js file labeled
Plugin Config. Choose one Custom Traffic (s.prop) variable or one Custom Conversion (s.eVar) variable for use in
capturing persisted value data. This should be a variable that has been enabled using the Admin Console, but which
is not currently in use for any other purpose. You can use the following example and update it based on your
requirements.
s.prop1=s.getNewRepeat(30,'s_getNewRepeat');
1. The first optional argument is the number of days that the cookie should last. The default value if this argument
is omitted is 30 days.
2. The second optional argument is the cookie name. A default value is used if this argument is omitted.
PLUGINS SECTION: Add the following code to the area of the s_code.js file labeled PLUGINS SECTION. Do
not make any changes to this portion of the plug-in code.
/*
* Plugin: getNewRepeat 1.2 - Returns whether user is new or repeat
*/
s.getNewRepeat=new Function("d","cn",""
+"var s=this,e=new Date(),cval,sval,ct=e.getTime();d=d?d:30;cn=cn?cn:"
+"'s_nr';e.setTime(ct+d*24*60*60*1000);cval=s.c_r(cn);if(cval.length="
+"=0){s.c_w(cn,ct+'-New',e);return'New';}sval=s.split(cval,'-');if(ct"
+"-sval[0]<30*60*1000&&sval[1]=='New'){s.c_w(cn,ct+'-New',e);return'N"
+"ew';}else{s.c_w(cn,ct+'-Repeat',e);return'Repeat';}");
/*
* Utility Function: split v1.5 (JS 1.0 compatible)
*/
s.split=new Function("l","d",""
+"var i,x=0,a=new Array;while(l){i=l.indexOf(d);i=i>-1?i:l.length;a[x"
+"++]=l.substring(0,i);l=l.substring(i+d.length);}return a");
Always test plug-in installations extensively to ensure that data collection is as expected before deploying in a
production environment.
getPageVisibility
Records the number of seconds your page was the active tab within the browser, and passes that value into a metric
on the next page view.
Note: This is a beta version of the plugin, and additional updates may be forthcoming.
This plug-in also records the total seconds the page was within the browser (both active and passive viewing time).
It is required to use the getPreviousValue plug-in in order to track the previous page name associated with the page
visibility events. Tracking these values helps you better understand visitor engagement and more accurately track
visitor behavior on your sites.
It is required that you use the getPreviousValue plug-in to track the previous page name associated with the page
visibility events. Tracking these values helps you better understand visitor engagement and more accurately track
visitor behavior on your sites.
Note: The following instructions require you to alter the data collection code on your site. This can affect data
collection on your site, and should only be done by a developer with experience using and implementing
Analytics. This plug-in is compatible only with AppMeasurement tracking libraries.
The s.pvel variable should contain the three events you wish to use:
Event Definition
Total Page The amount of time the page was active within the browser
Visibility Seconds
(Numeric)
Total Page The amount of time the page was loaded in the browser, regardless of its visibility state
Seconds
(Numeric)
Total Page The total number of times a value was recorded for the previous two events
Visibility Instances
(Counter)
Sample Calls
//Page Visibility Event List (total page visibility seconds, total page seconds, total page
visibility instances)
s.pvel='event7,event8,event9'
doPlugins Section
To initialize the plug-in, two lines of code are required in the doPlugins section of your s_code, preferably after you
have designated the s.pageName variable.
Sample Calls
/* Page Visibility */
s.eVar9 = s.getPreviousValue(s.pageName,'gpv_v9',''); //Record the previous page name in the
designated eVar of your choice
s.getPageVisibility();
Plug-ins Section
/* Page Visibility Plugin 0.1 (BETA) */
s.getPageVisibility=new Function("",""
+"var s=this;if(s.getVisitStart()){s.Util.cookieWrite('s_pvs','');s.U"
+"til.cookieWrite('s_tps','');}if(s.Util.cookieRead('s_pvs')&&s.pvt<1"
+"){if(parseInt(s.Util.cookieRead('s_pvs'))<=parseInt(s.Util.cookieRe"
+"ad('s_tps'))){s.pve=s.pvel.split(',');s.events=s.apl(s.events,s.pve"
+"[0]+'='+(parseInt(s.Util.cookieRead('s_pvs'))),',',2);s.Util.cookie"
+"Write('s_pvs','');s.events=s.apl(s.events,s.pve[1]+'='+(parseInt(s."
+"Util.cookieRead('s_tps'))),',',2);s.Util.cookieWrite('s_tps','');s."
+"events=s.apl(s.events,s.pve[2],',',2);}}s.pvi=setInterval(s.pvx,100"
+"0);s.wpvi=setInterval(s.wpvc,5000);");
s.gbp=new Function("",""
+"if('hidden'in document){return null;}var bp=['moz','ms','o','webkit"
+"'];for(var i=0;i<bp.length;i++){var p=bp[i]+'Hidden';if(p in docume"
+"nt){return bp[i];}}return null;");
s.hp=new Function("p",""
+"if(p){return p+'Hidden';}else{return'hidden';}");
s.vs=new Function("p",""
+"if(p){return p+'VisibilityState';}else{return'visibilityState';}");
s.ve=new Function("p",""
+"if(p){return p+'visibilitychange';}else{return'visibilitychange';}");
s.pvx=new Function("",""
+"s.pvt+=1;");
s.wpvc = function(){var tempDate = Date.now();s.Util.cookieWrite('s_tps',
Math.ceil((tempDate - s.totalTime)/1000));s.Util.cookieWrite('s_pvs', s.pvt)}
document.addEventListener('visibilitychange',function(event){if(document.hidden){s.visibility
=
false;clearTimeout(s.pvi);}else{s.visibility=true;s.pvi=setInterval(s.pvx,1000);}});s.totalTime=new
Date();s.pvt=0;s.prefix=s.gbp;s.hidden=s.hp(s.prefix);s.visibility=true;s.visibilityState=s.vs(s.prefix);s.visibilityEvent=s.ve(s.prefix);
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 220
Notes
Always test plug-in installations to ensure that data collection is as expected before deploying in a production
environment.
Because the plug-in passes the page visibility seconds and total seconds as they are associated with the previous
page, data is not collected for the final page view of the visit.
This plug-in relies on the ability to set cookies in the user's web browser. If the user does not accept first-party
cookies, the plug-in will not pass data into Analytics.
The plug-in creates its own first-party cookies named s_tps and s_pvs.
A very small percentage of users will not pass percentage of page viewed data due to browser limitations, and
logic is contained within the plugin to ensure that the data is not skewed as a result. However, this plug-in has
been successfully tested in IE, Firefox, Chrome, and Safari.
Due to the way the plugin measures total seconds and associates that value with the previous page name, there
will be differences between default time spent on page metrics and total seconds metrics.
Calculated metrics can be created to aid in summarizing and understanding visitor behavior associated with these
metrics:
Page Visibility Ratio (Total Page Visibility Seconds / Total Page Seconds)
Total Hidden Seconds (Total Page Seconds Total Page Visibility Seconds)
Average Page Visibility Seconds (Total Page Visibility Seconds/Total Page Visibility Instances)
Average Page Hidden Seconds ((Total Page Seconds - Total Page Visibility Seconds)/Total Page Visibility
Instances)
Due to the way the plug-in rounds up the seconds, there can be a 1-2 second difference between the total page
visibility seconds and total seconds, with total seconds being higher. (To be resolved in a future update)
Using the getVisitStart plug-in should account for visitors that have a new visit start after a period of 30+ minutes
of inactivity. This is not working as designed; however, there will likely be a workaround when we incorporate the
total active seconds in a future iteration of the plug-in.
The plugin will only record page visibility values on subsequent page view server calls. No additional server calls
are used in conjunction with it.
If I do not want to capture total page seconds or total page visibility instances, can I leave those out of the
event list?
Yes, the total page seconds and total visibility instances are optional events and can be left out of the list if desired.
Will the events captured make sense if I use them in reports other than the Previous Page Name?
Since the plugin records values on the subsequent image request only other eVars that have been captured in a
previous page context could be applied, i.e. Previous Page URL.
Will the plug-in send the visibility time on an s.tl() call, or only on an s.t() call?
getVisitStart
Determines if a new visit is starting.
Configuration Variables
None
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 221
Parameters
Returns
Sample Calls
s.eVar50 = s.getVisitStart("s_visit");
getPercentPageViewed
Record the portion of a page (0-100%) that the user views and pass the value into a variable on the next page view.
This plugin lets you determine how much of your content users are seeing on average, so that you can optimize
your page lengths and layouts based on user behaviors.
You can also use classifications to group percentages (such as Less than 25% or Less than 50%) so that you can
identify page-viewing trends.
Note: The following instructions require you to alter the data collection code on your site. This can affect data
collection on your site, and should only be done by a developer with experience using and implementing
Analytics.
Sample Calls
/*
* Add one of the following examples in s.doPlugins(), after s.pageName has been assigned:
*/
// Example 1: Get maximum percent viewed only, using s.pageName as an implicit identifier
//Example 2: Get entire percent page viewed array and save metrics
Returns
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 222
If there was not a previous page view in this visit, an empty string is returned
If pid is "-", or unspecified, an integer containing the last page's maximum percent viewed is returned
Otherwise, an array is returned with the following elements:
array[0] - Page ID
array[1] - Maximum percent viewed
array[2] - Initial percent viewed
array[3] - Maximum vertical pixels viewed
array[4] - Viewport width in CSS pixels new
array[5] - Viewport height in CSS pixels new
array[6] - Display width in real pixels (reflecting orientation) new
array[7] - Display height in real pixels (reflecting orientation) new
array[8] - Final pixel density new
array[9] - Device orientation, set to one of the following text strings: new
"L" - Landscape (rotation did not occur)
"P" - Portrait (rotation did not occur)
"LP" - started landscape, ended portrait
"PL" - started portrait, ended landscape
Plugins Section: Add the following code to the area of the s_code.js file labeled PLUGINS SECTION. Do not
make any changes to this portion of the plug-in code.
/*
* Plugin: getPercentPageViewed v1.71
*/
s.getPercentPageViewed=new Function("n",""
+"var s=this,W=window,EL=W.addEventListener,AE=W.attachEvent,E=['load"
+"','unload','scroll','resize','zoom','keyup','mouseup','touchend','o"
+"rientationchange','pan'];W.s_Obj=s;s_PPVid=(n=='-'?s.pageName:n)||s"
+".pageName||location.href;if(!W.s_PPVevent){s.s_PPVg=function(n,r){v"
+"ar k='s_ppv',p=k+'l',c=s.c_r(n||r?k:p),a=c.indexOf(',')>-1?c.split("
+"',',10):[''],l=a.length,i;a[0]=unescape(a[0]);r=r||(n&&n!=a[0])||0;"
+"a.length=10;if(typeof a[0]!='string')a[0]='';for(i=1;i<10;i++)a[i]="
+"!r&&i<l?parseInt(a[i])||0:0;if(l<10||typeof a[9]!='string')a[9]='';"
+"if(r){s.c_w(p,c);s.c_w(k,'?')}return a};W.s_PPVevent=function(e){va"
+"r W=window,D=document,B=D.body,E=D.documentElement,S=window.screen|"
+"|0,Ho='offsetHeight',Hs='scrollHeight',Ts='scrollTop',Wc='clientWid"
+"th',Hc='clientHeight',C=100,M=Math,J='object',N='number',s=W.s_Obj|"
+"|W.s||0;e=e&&typeof e==J?e.type||'':'';if(!e.indexOf('on'))e=e.subs"
+"tring(2);s_PPVi=W.s_PPVi||0;if(W.s_PPVt&&!e){clearTimeout(s_PPVt);s"
+"_PPVt=0;if(s_PPVi<2)s_PPVi++}if(typeof s==J){var h=M.max(B[Hs]||E[H"
+"s],B[Ho]||E[Ho],B[Hc]||E[Hc]),X=W.innerWidth||E[Wc]||B[Wc]||0,Y=W.i"
+"nnerHeight||E[Hc]||B[Hc]||0,x=S?S.width:0,y=S?S.height:0,r=M.round("
+"C*(W.devicePixelRatio||1))/C,b=(D.pageYOffset||E[Ts]||B[Ts]||0)+Y,p"
+"=h>0&&b>0?M.round(C*b/h):0,O=W.orientation,o=!isNaN(O)?M.abs(o)%180"
+":Y>X?0:90,L=e=='load'||s_PPVi<1,a=s.s_PPVg(s_PPVid,L),V=function(i,"
+"v,f,n){i=parseInt(typeof a==J&&a.length>i?a[i]:'0')||0;v=typeof v!="
+"N?i:v;v=f||v>i?v:i;return n?v:v>C?C:v<0?0:v};if(new RegExp('(iPod|i"
+"Pad|iPhone)').exec(navigator.userAgent||'')&&o){o=x;x=y;y=o}o=o?'P'"
+":'L';a[9]=L?'':a[9].substring(0,1);s.c_w('s_ppv',escape(W.s_PPVid)+"
+"','+V(1,p,L)+','+(L||!V(2)?p:V(2))+','+V(3,b,L,1)+','+X+','+Y+','+x"
+"+','+y+','+r+','+a[9]+(a[9]==o?'':o))}if(!W.s_PPVt&&e!='unload')W.s"
+"_PPVt=setTimeout(W.s_PPVevent,333)};for(var f=W.s_PPVevent,i=0;i<E."
+"length;i++)if(EL)EL(E[i],f,false);else if(AE)AE('on'+E[i],f);f()};v"
+"ar a=s.s_PPVg();return!n||n=='-'?a[1]:a");
Notes
Always test plug-in installations to ensure that data collection is as expected before deploying in a production
environment.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 223
Because the plug-in passes the percentage of page viewed on the previous page, data is not collected for the final
page view of the visit. One way around this is to use a function on all exit links to call s.getPercentPageViewed().
This plug-in relies on the ability to set cookies in the user's web browser. If the user does not accept first-party
cookies, the plug-in will not pass data into Analytics.
The plug-in creates its own first-party cookie named s_ppv.
A very small percentage of users will not pass percentage of page viewed data due to browser limitations. However,
this plug-in has been successfully tested in IE, Firefox, Chrome, Safari, and Opera.
getPreviousValue
Captures the value of a Analytics variable on the next page view. For example, you can use plug-in to capture the
s.pageName value from the previous page view into a Custom Traffic variable. It also has an option to capture a
previous value only when designated success events are set.
Note: The following instructions require you to alter the data collection code on your site. This can affect data
collection on your site, and should only be done by a developer with experience using and implementing
Analytics.
Plug-in Configuration
Place the following code within the s_doPlugins() function, which is located in the area of the s_code.js file labeled
Plugin Config. Choose one Custom Traffic (s.prop) variable or one Custom Conversion (s.eVar) variable for use in
capturing persisted value data. This should be a variable that has been enabled using the Admin Console, but which
is not currently in use for any other purpose. You can use the following example and update it based on your
requirements.
s.prop1=s.getPreviousValue(s.pageName,'gpv_pn','event1');
PLUGINS SECTION: Add the following code to the area of the s_code.js file labeled PLUGINS SECTION. Do
not make any changes to this portion of the plug-in code.
/*
* Plugin: getPreviousValue_v1.0 - return previous value of designated
* variable (requires split utility)
*/
s.getPreviousValue=new Function("v","c","el",""
+"var s=this,t=new Date,i,j,r='';t.setTime(t.getTime()+1800000);if(el"
+"){if(s.events){i=s.split(el,',');j=s.split(s.events,',');for(x in i"
+"){for(y in j){if(i[x]==j[y]){if(s.c_r(c)) r=s.c_r(c);v?s.c_w(c,v,t)"
+":s.c_w(c,'no value',t);return r}}}}}else{if(s.c_r(c)) r=s.c_r(c);v?"
+"s.c_w(c,v,t):s.c_w(c,'no value',t);return r}");
/*
* Utility Function: split v1.5 - split a string (JS 1.0 compatible)
*/
s.split=new Function("l","d",""
+"var i,x=0,a=new Array;while(l){i=l.indexOf(d);i=i>-1?i:l.length;a[x"
+"++]=l.substring(0,i);l=l.substring(i+d.length);}return a");
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 224
Notes
Always test plug-in installations extensively to ensure that data collection is as expected before deploying in a
production environment.
If no value is present for the selected variable on any given page, the text no value will be set in the cookie.
A fixed 30-minute cookie expiration is now set for each cookie, and refreshed with each page load. The plug-in
works for the length of a visit.
Because the function must be called as part of the plug-ins section of code, the code runs each time s.t() or s.tl()
is called.
The chosen variable should be populated with a value prior to the call to s.getPreviousValue. Because the
s_doPlugins() function is executed after the variables on the page are populated, this issue rarely occurs. It should
only be a matter of concern if the variable used with this plug-in is populated within the s_doPlugins() function and
after the call to s.getPreviousValue.
getQueryParam
Returns the value of a specified query string parameter, if found in the current page URL. Because important data
(such as campaign tracking codes, internal search keywords, etc.) is available in the query string on a page,
getQueryParam is helps capture the data into Analytics variables.
Important: This plug-in is used by H code only. AppMeasurement for JavaScript provides this functionality
natively using Util.getQueryParam.
Once installed in your AppMeasurement for JavaScript code, the plug-in is configured by selecting a Analytics
variable to populate using data found in the query string, and specifying which query string values to capture. The
plug-in detects the specified query string, if present, and populates the chosen variable with its value. If no query
string parameter is found with that value, an empty string is returned. If a query string parameter exists but does not
have a value (such as param1 in ?param1¶m2=value), the word true is returned.
Note: The base code for the plug-in must be installed in your AppMeasurement for JavaScript code before
the examples below will work.
If you wanted to use s.campaign to capture campaign tracking codes available as values of the cid query parameter,
you would enter the following in the doPlugins() function in your AppMeasurement for JavaScript code:
s.campaign=s.getQueryParam('cid')
In this example, if the user arrived at a landing page on your site where the URL was
http://www.yoursite.com/index.html?cid=123456, then s.campaign would receive a value of 123456.
This could be seen using the DigitalPulse Debugger, which should show v0=123456 as part of the image request.
Note: The parameter cid and others are used here as examples. You can replace them with any query string
parameters that exist on your site.
The getQueryParam plug-in has two additional arguments (options) that can be used to capture data into Analytics
variables:
s.getQueryParam('p','d','u')
where:
p = comma-separated list of query parameters to locate (can also be a single value with no
comma)
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 225
d = delimiter for list of values (in case more than one specified parameter is found)
u = where to search for value (e.g., document.referrer); set to current page URL by default
If p is a list of query string parameters and more than one query string parameter is found in the URL, all values are
returned in a list separated by the delimiter, d, which can be a single character or a string of characters, such as "
: " (space-colon-space). If d is omitted, no delimiter is used between values. If one query string parameter should
take precedence over another, when both are found, use an if statement as shown below.
// cid takes precedence over iid if both exist in the query string
s.campaign=s.getQueryParam('cid');
if(!s.campaign)
s.campaign=s.getQueryParam('iid');
As of version getQueryParam v2.0, the plug-in accepts an optional third argument, u, which allows you to specify
the URL from which you would like to extract query string parameters. By default (i.e. if this third argument is omitted
or left blank), the plug-in uses the page URL. For example, if you would like extract a query string from the referrer,
you can use the following code:
// take the query string from the referrer
s.eVar1=s.getQueryParam('pid','',document.referrer);
The flag "f" should be used in this third argument with frames, when the necessary query string parameter is found
in the address bar rather than the current frame's URL:
// take the query string from the parent frame
s.eVar1=s.getQueryParam('pid','',f);
When using frames and the f parameter, it is recommended that the getValOnce plug-in be used to prevent the
campaign tracking code to be sent with each page view.
Note: The following instructions require you to alter the data collection code on your site. This can affect data
collection on your site, and should only be done by a developer with experience using and implementing
Analytics.
Plug-in Code
/********************************************************************
*
* Main Plug-in code (should be in Plug-ins section)
*
*******************************************************************/
/*
* Plugin: getQueryParam 2.3
*/
s.getQueryParam=new Function("p","d","u",""
+"var s=this,v='',i,t;d=d?d:'';u=u?u:(s.pageURL?s.pageURL:s.wd.locati"
+"on);if(u=='f')u=s.gtfs().location;while(p){i=p.indexOf(',');i=i<0?p"
+".length:i;t=s.p_gpv(p.substring(0,i),u+'');if(t){t=t.indexOf('#')>-"
+"1?t.substring(0,t.indexOf('#')):t;}if(t)v+=v?d+t:t;p=p.substring(i="
+"=p.length?i:i+1)}return v");
s.p_gpv=new Function("k","u",""
+"var s=this,v='',i=u.indexOf('?'),q;if(k&&i>-1){q=u.substring(i+1);v"
+"=s.pt(q,'&','p_gvf',k)}return v");
s.p_gvf=new Function("t","k",""
+"if(t){var s=this,i=t.indexOf('='),p=i<0?t:t.substring(0,i),v=i<0?'T"
+"rue':t.substring(i+1);if(p.toLowerCase()==k.toLowerCase())return s."
+"epa(v)}return ''");
/********************************************************************
*
* Commented example of how to use this is doPlugins function
*
*******************************************************************/
/* Plugin Example: getQueryParam 2.3
//single parameter
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 226
s.campaign=s.getQueryParam('cid');
//multiple parameters
s.campaign=s.getQueryParam('cid,sid',':');
*/
/********************************************************************
*
* Config variables (should be above doPlugins section)
*
*******************************************************************/
None
/********************************************************************
*
* Utility functions that may be shared between plug-ins (name only)
*
*******************************************************************/
None
getTimeParting
The getTimeParting plug-in populates reports with hour of day, day of week, and weekend and weekday values.
This plug-in is useful in performing analysis based on the time of day or day of week. It can help to answer the
following questions:
Across a large date range, what is the most popular time of day for visitors to access my site?
Are there days of the week on which conversion is higher on my site?
How do my weekend sales compare to my weekday sales?
Does a certain marketing campaign generate higher conversions in the morning, or in the afternoon?
This plug-in captures the date and time information available in the user's web browser. It obtains the hour of the
day and the day of the week from this information. It then converts this data to the time zone of your choosing. It
also accounts for Daylight Savings Time.
Note: The following instructions require you to alter the data collection code on your site. This can affect data
collection on your site, and should only be done by a developer with experience using and implementing
Analytics.
Plug-in Code
Config Section
Place the following code in the area of the s_code.js file labeled CONFIG SECTION, and make the necessary
updates as described below.
s._tpDST - an array of DST values. The array is structured in the following format: YYYY:'MM/DD,MM/DD'
//time parting configuration
//Australia
s._tpDST = {
2012:'4/1,10/7',
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 227
2013:'4/7,10/6',
2014:'4/6,10/5',
2015:'4/5,10/4',
2016:'4/3,10/2',
2017:'4/2,10/1',
2018:'4/1,10/7',
2019:'4/7,10/6'}
//US
s._tpDST = {
2012:'3/11,11/4',
2013:'3/10,11/3',
2014:'3/9,11/2',
2015:'3/8,11/1',
2016:'3/13,11/6',
2017:'3/12,11/5',
2018:'3/11,11/4',
2019:'3/10,11/3'}
//Europe
s._tpDST = {
2012:'3/25,10/28',
2013:'3/31,10/27',
2014:'3/30,10/26',
2015:'3/29,10/25',
2016:'3/27,10/30',
2017:'3/26,10/29',
2018:'3/25,10/28',
2019:'3/31,10/27'}
Note for Northern Hemisphere clients: in the array DST values are DST start, DST end.
Note for Southern Hemisphere clients: in the array DST values are DST end, DST start.
Parameters
var tp = s.getTimeParting(h,z);
h = (required) Hemisphere - Specify what hemisphere you are converting the time to. This is a value of 'n' or 's'.
This is used to determine how to use the DST array passed. If 'n' is passed the plugin uses the dates when DST
is on. If 's' is passed the plugin uses the dates when DST is off.
z = (optional) Time Zone - If you would like the data to be based upon a specific time period, then that will need to
be specified as the hours different from GMT here. Note this should be the GMT during non DST. If no value is
specified, it defaults to GMT (i.e. '-5' for US Eastern Time)
Returns
Returns a concatenated value of time at minute level and day of week, for example:
8:03 AM|Monday
You can then use Classifications to group visits into time periods. For example, you could set up a rule in Classification
Rule Builder to bucket visits between 9:00 AM and 9:59 AM to "9:00 AM - 10:00 AM". As an alternative to
classifications, you could provide additional client-side logic to bucket visits in JavaScript.
Example Call
var tp = s.getTimeParting('n','-7');
s.prop1 = tp;
PLUGINS SECTION
Add the following code to the PLUGINS SECTION in the s_code.js file.
/*
* Plugin: getTimeParting 3.4
*/
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 228
s.getTimeParting=new Function("h","z",""
+"var s=this,od;od=new Date('1/1/2000');if(od.getDay()!=6||od.getMont"
+"h()!=0){return'Data Not Available';}else{var H,M,D,U,ds,de,tm,da=['"
+"Sunday','Monday','Tuesday','Wednesday','Thursday','Friday','Saturda"
+"y'],d=new Date();z=z?z:0;z=parseFloat(z);if(s._tpDST){var dso=s._tp"
+"DST[d.getFullYear()].split(/,/);ds=new Date(dso[0]+'/'+d.getFullYea"
+"r());de=new Date(dso[1]+'/'+d.getFullYear());if(h=='n'&&d>ds&&d<de)"
+"{z=z+1;}else if(h=='s'&&(d>de||d<ds)){z=z+1;}}d=d.getTime()+(d.getT"
+"imezoneOffset()*60000);d=new Date(d+(3600000*z));H=d.getHours();M=d"
+".getMinutes();M=(M<10)?'0'+M:M;D=d.getDay();U=' AM';if(H>=12){U=' P"
+"M';H=H-12;}if(H==0){H=12;}D=da[D];tm=H+':'+M+U;return(tm+'|'+D);}");
Notes
Always test plug-in installations to ensure that data collection is as expected before deploying to production.
Configuration variables must be set for plugin to work correctly.
getValOnce
The getValOnce plug-in prevents a given variable from being set to the previously defined value. It uses a cookie
to determine a variable's last seen value. If the current value matches the cookie value, the variable is overwritten
with a blank string before it is sent to Adobe's processing servers.This plug-in is useful to prevent conversion variable
instance inflation caused when users refresh the page or click the Back button.
Important: This plug-in has not been validated to be compatible with AppMeasurement for JavaScript. See
AppMeasurement Plug-in Support.
Parameters
s.eVar1=s.getValOnce(variable,cookie,expiration,minute);
Variable: The variable that will be checked. This is typically the same as the variable being defined.
Cookie: The name of the cookie that stores the previous value to compare against. The cookie can be any value.
(Optional) Expiration: The number of days the cookie will expire. If not set or set to 0, the default expiration is the
browser session.
(Optional) Minute: If you set this to the string value m, the expiration value is defined in minutes instead of days.
If not set, days is the default expiration.
Properties
This plug-in is commonly used on conversion variables. However, you can use it on any Analytics variable.
When Javascript encounters this function, it compares the defined value to what is stored in the cookie. If the
defined value is different from the cookie value, the defined value is set. If the defined value is the same as the
cookie value, an empty string is returned.
The cookie can only store a single value, meaning the plug-in only looks as the last defined value.
The plug-in does not stop all values from defining the variable after it is defined. The plug-in only prevents the last
value from being set multiple times consecutively.
If the end user blocks or rejects cookies, the original value is always returned.
The plug-in's session is different from what Analytics defines as a session (or visit). Analytics terminates a session
after 12 hours of activity or 30 minutes of inactivity. Because the plug-in uses the browser's session definition, it is
terminated only after the user closes the tab or exits the browser.
If a user closes your page, opens a different tab and navigates back to your site within 30 minutes, the plug-in
creates a new session while keeping the Analytics visit open.
If a user keeps the browser window open without clicking on a link for more than 30 minutes, the Analytics visit
expires while keeping the browser session open.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 229
Note: The following instructions require you to alter the data collection code on your site. This can affect data
collection on your site, and should only be done by a developer with experience using and implementing
Analytics.
Implementation
Note: If your organization uses Marketing Channels and has rules set up based on s.campaign, it is
recommended that you not use the getValOnce plugin when setting the s.campaign value. Doing so could
lead to an incorrect channel being assigned on a secondary campaign click-through.
To implement this plug-in, place the following code within your s_code.js file
/********************************************************************
*
* Main Plug-in code (should be in Plug-ins section)
*
*******************************************************************/
/*
* Plugin: getValOnce_v1.11
*/
s.getValOnce=new Function("v","c","e","t",""
+"var s=this,a=new Date,v=v?v:'',c=c?c:'s_gvo',e=e?e:0,i=t=='m'?6000"
+"0:86400000,k=s.c_r(c);if(v){a.setTime(a.getTime()+e*i);s.c_w(c,v,e"
+"==0?0:a);}return v==k?'':v");
Once the above code is implemented, define the desired variable using the getValOnce function. The following are
several examples on how it can be implemented:
Preventing the same campaign value from being defined if a duplicate value is detected within 30 days of
cookie being set:
s.campaign=s.getValOnce(s.campaign,'s_cmp',30);
Prevents the same eVar1 value from being defined if a duplicate value is detected within 30 minutes of the
cookie being set:
s.eVar1=s.getValOnce(s.eVar1,'s_ev1',30,'m');
Prevents the same eVar2 value from being defined multiple times in the same browser session:
s.eVar2=s.getValOnce(s.eVar2,'s_ev2');
Notes
Always test plug-in installations extensively to ensure that data collection is as expected before deploying in a
production environment.
Make sure you delete the cookie or use new, unique values during testing or variables will not be sent.
getVisitNum
The getVisitNum plug-in determines how many visits a user has made to your site and captures this number in a
Analytics variable.
Plug-in Configuration
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 230
Place the following code within the s_doPlugins() function, which is located in the area of the s_code.js file labeled
Plugin Config. Choose one Custom Traffic (s.prop) variable or one Custom Conversion (s.eVar) variable for use in
capturing visit number data. This should be a variable that has been enabled using the Admin Console, but which
is not currently in use for another purpose. You can use the following example and update it based on your
requirements.
s.prop1=s.getVisitNum();
Note: The following instructions require you to alter the data collection code on your site. This can affect data
collection on your site, and should only be done by a developer with experience using and implementing
Analytics.
PLUGINS SECTION: Add the following code to the area of the s_code.js file labeled PLUGINS SECTION. Do
not make any changes to this portion of the plug-in code.
/*
* Plugin: getVisitNum - version 3.0
*/
s.getVisitNum=new Function("tp","c","c2",""
+"var s=this,e=new Date,cval,cvisit,ct=e.getTime(),d;if(!tp){tp='m';}"
+"if(tp=='m'||tp=='w'||tp=='d'){eo=s.endof(tp),y=eo.getTime();e.setTi"
+"me(y);}else {d=tp*86400000;e.setTime(ct+d);}if(!c){c='s_vnum';}if(!"
+"c2){c2='s_invisit';}cval=s.c_r(c);if(cval){var i=cval.indexOf('&vn="
+"'),str=cval.substring(i+4,cval.length),k;}cvisit=s.c_r(c2);if(cvisi"
+"t){if(str){e.setTime(ct+1800000);s.c_w(c2,'true',e);return str;}els"
+"e {return 'unknown visit number';}}else {if(str){str++;k=cval.substri"
+"ng(0,i);e.setTime(k);s.c_w(c,k+'&vn='+str,e);e.setTime(ct+1800000);"
+"s.c_w(c2,'true',e);return str;}else {s.c_w(c,e.getTime()+'&vn=1',e)"
+";e.setTime(ct+1800000);s.c_w(c2,'true',e);return 1;}}");
s.dimo=new Function("m","y",""
+"var d=new Date(y,m+1,0);return d.getDate();");
s.endof=new Function("x",""
+"var t=new Date;t.setHours(0);t.setMinutes(0);t.setSeconds(0);if(x=="
+"'m'){d=s.dimo(t.getMonth(),t.getFullYear())-t.getDate()+1;}else if("
+"x=='w'){d=7-t.getDay();}else {d=1;}t.setDate(t.getDate()+d);return "
+"t;");
Parameters
tp = (string, optional) Tracking period. use "d" for day, "w" for week, "m" for month, or a number for a custom number
of days.
If day, week, or month is selected then the visit number will reset at the end of the day/week/month.
If a custom number of days is selected then the visit number will reset after that number of days.
If no value is provided then "m" will be used.
Returns
returns the visit number (1,2,3,etc) of the visit. This number is incremented only on the first page of each visit.
returns "unknown visit number" if the plug-in is unable to identify the visit number (cookies are blocked).
Examples
s.prop1=s.getVisitNum(365); //custom length, 365 days. Default cookie names
s.prop1=s.getVisitNum('w'); //resets weekly
s.prop1=s.getVisitNum('m','s_vmonthnum','s_monthinvisit'); //resets montly, custom cookie names
s.prop1=s.getVisitNum('d'); //resets daily
Notes
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 231
Always test plug-in installations extensively to ensure that data collection is as expected before deploying in a
production environment.
This plug-in relies on the ability to set cookies in the user's web browser. If the user does not accept cookies, all
visits will appear to be first visits.
performanceTiming
This plug-in operates by using the Navigation Timing JavaScript API for accurately measuring performance on the
web. This provides a native method to get accurate and detailed timing statistics for page load events & asset load
times. Previously, measurements of this sort have either utilized the JavaScript Date object for timing metrics, or a
rudimentary extrapolation of the Navigation Timing metrics. Both methodologies, even though they provide some
trended data for page load times, are unreliable.
Important: This is a beta version of the plugin, and additional updates may be forthcoming.
This plug-in utilizes the following detailed events to track the individual timing components of a page load:
The following graph illustrates the timing attributes defined by the PerformanceTiming interface and the
PerformanceNavigation interface with or without redirect, respectively.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 232
http://www.w3.org/TR/navigation-timing/#sec-navigation-timing-interface
In addition, the plugin can optionally use the performanceEntries object to record the asset name, asset load time
start, and asset load time duration details for each individual asset loaded on a given page. A large amount of
information is recorded with this plugin, and as such it requires that the DOM storage object is enabled in order to
store the page load information between page views. Please be sure that your companys privacy policy allows for
the use of the DOM storage object before enabling this functionality. It also requires the use of a listVar to track all
assets.
Note: The following instructions require you to alter the data collection code on your site. This can affect data
collection on your site, and should be done only by a developer with experience using and implementing Adobe
Analytics. This plugin is compatible only with AppMeasurement tracking libraries.
s.pte: Comma-separated list of events containing the 10 events you wish to use - the individual timing event
components (events 1 - 8), the total page load time (event 9), and total performance instances (event 10) - in that
specific order.
s.ptc: Set to determine whether or not to execute the plugin within doPlugins. Always set to false.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 233
Sample Calls
s.pte = 'event10,event11,event12,event13,event14,event15,event16,event17,event18,event19'
//[--------------------------- 1 to 8 ---------------------------][-- 9 --][- 10 -]
s.ptc = false;
doPlugins Section:
To initialize the plug-in, one line of code is required in the doPlugins section of your s_code, preferably after you
have designated the s.pageName variable. If you wish to utilize the asset load time functionality within the plug-in,
you must pass in the name of the list variable to be used. Otherwise, only the performance timing entries will be
tracked in the events you previously specified in the s.pte variable.
Note: In order to correlate performance timing entries with pages on your site, you must also initialize the
getPreviousValue plug-in. We recommend comparing these performance entries with either the previous
page name or the previous page URL value.
Sample Calls
/* Performance Timing */
s.eVar9 = s.getPreviousValue(s.pageName,'gpv_v9',''); //Record the previous page name in the
designated eVar of your choice
s.performanceTiming('list2')
Plugins Section:
Notes
Always test plug-in installations to ensure that data collection is as expected before deploying in a production
environment.
Because the plug-in passes the performance data as they are associated with the previous page, data is not
collected for the final page view of the visit.
If you are tracking asset timing, this plug-in relies on the ability to set DOM storage values in the user's web browser.
If the user does not accept cookies and have DOM storage enabled, the plug-in will not pass data into Analytics.
A very small percentage of users will not pass navigation timing data due to browser limitations, and logic is
contained within the plugin to ensure that the data is not skewed as a result particularly with a small portion of
mobile browsers. However, this plug-in has been successfully tested in IE, Firefox, Chrome, and Safari.
Calculated metrics should be created to aid in summarizing and understanding visitor behavior associated with
these metrics:
Average Redirect Timing (Redirect Timing/Performance Timing Instances)
Average App Cache Timing (App Cache Timing/Performance Timing Instances)
Average DNS Timing (DNS Timing/Performance Timing Instances)
Average TCP Timing (TCP Timing/Performance Timing Instances)
Average Request Timing (Request Timing/Performance Timing Instances)
Average Response Timing (Response Timing/Performance Timing Instances)
Average Processing Timing (Processing Timing/Performance Timing Instances)
Average onLoad Timing (onLoad Timing/Performance Timing Instances)
Average Page Load Timing (Total Page Load Time/Performance Timing Instances)
trackTNT
Collects the information for the Target to Analytics integration. This plug-in is replaced by the Adobe Analytics and
Adobe target integration.
See Adobe Analytics and Adobe Target integration.
Pathing
Pathing is defined as the path that users take through your site.
For example, a visitor went to page A, then page B, then page C. Pathing is one of the very powerful features of
Analytics. The tremendous insight it brings is critical to businesses looking to understand visitor traffic patterns.
Out-of-the-box Analytics provides pathing at the page level. The basic idea behind pathing is you are shown the
order of pages that users saw during their visits. This data is presented in several different reports that format the
data in different ways, depending on what you are trying to see.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 235
When pathing is enabled for a prop, you get a new set of pathing reports that are found below the standard pathing
reports. Pathing reports tell you the order that it saw the pages come in for that visitor. When you enable pathing
on a prop, it does the same thing: it tells you the order of the prop values it saw come in for the user. This order of
values is displayed in different ways depending on the path report you are viewing.
For this example, you are going to use prop1 as your campaign pathing prop. Now you want to populate this sprop
with the same value you put in the page name variable. See below:
s.prop1=s.pageName;
You should do this on all pages unless the person has clicked from a campaign. If they have clicked from a campaign
and are on the landing page of the campaign, then you populate the prop with a concatenation of the campaign and
the pagename. See below:
s.prop1=s.campaign + : + s.pageName;
If the campaign they clicked was named "banner1234," and the page it landed on was named "Home Page," the
value in that prop would be "banner1234 : Home Page." On every subsequent page you put the pagename in the
prop as shown above.
When a user clicks this campaign and views four total pages in that visit, you get the following values in the sprop
in this order:
banner1234 : Home Page > Page 2 > Page 3 > Page 4
With our data captured in prop1 in this way, with pathing enabled on this prop, you can now look at one of various
pathing reports to understand how they path through the site after they click from a campaign.
You can specify the start page from which to start the path report. In this case, you selected "banner1234 : Home
Page", because you want to know where users went after they clicked from campaign "banner 1234." This report is
only an example of one of many path reports.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 236
For example, let's say you have two user types: "Registered" users and "Non-Registered" users. You need to
distinguish between these two user types on each page and put these values into your designated sprop. When
you populate the prop, it should display as shown below:
s.prop1=Registered : + s.pageName;
If the user is a registered user and visited the home page, the value in the prop displays as follows:
Registered : Home Page
If they click to another page named "Page 2", the value on that page displays as follows:
Registered : Page 2
With Pathing turned on, you see those two values in succession. If you want to know how registered users move
from the home page, find the value "Registered : Home Page" in one of the path reports and see the next pages
they visited. In this case, they next went to "Page 2."
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 237
Purchase Events
For the purchase event, Analytics variables are used to capture specific purchase information. The s.purchaseID
variable is used to serialize (de-duplicate) the event.
The purchaseID is limited to 20 characters. The purchaseID variable serializes all events passed in the variable
s.events, and overrides any serialization value for events. If purchaseID is left blank, each instance of the purchase
event, even page reloads, is counted.
If a purchase event is called without a purchaseID, a unique one is automatically generated based on the s.products
and s.events variables. This automatically generated purchaseID is stored locally as a cookie value within the visitor's
browser, and is not sent to any report suite tables. Manually defined purchaseIDs on the other hand are sent to a
back-end table within the report suite. The last five purchases made by a visitor (with or without purchaseID) are
stored in the local cookie.
When a visitor makes any purchase, the following checks are made:
Does the purchaseID match any of the five cookie values? If so, the image request is considered a duplicate
purchase. All conversion variables, including the purchase event, do not appear in reporting.
If purchaseID is defined, does it match any value in the report suite's back-end table? If so, the image request is
considered a duplicate purchase. All conversion variables, including the purchase event, do not appear in reporting.
If the purchaseID is unique to both the last 5 stored values in the cookie and the report suite's purchaseID table,
the image request is unique and included in reporting. For example, if five purchases are already included in the
local cookie, the oldest one is overwritten.
Specific server-side code can be used to generate the unique number (alphanumeric value) embedded in the HTML
source. Usually the Order ID, or similar alphanumeric value, is used for this purpose. This value should not change
if the user refreshes the page. The following is a short example (note the purchaseID code in bold):
Syntax
s.products="Category;ProductName;Qty;total_price [,Category2;ProductName2;Qty;total_price]"
s.state="XX"
s.zip="00000"
s.purchaseID="<%=getPurchaseID()%>"
s.events="purchase"
Examples
s.products="Footwear;Hiking Boots (1234);1;170.00"
s.state="UT"
s.zip="84097"
s.purchaseID="12341234"
s.events="purchase"
Additional Notes
Be sure to use server-side code to generate the unique identifier for the event. Do not use a JavaScript randomization
function to generate a number, which generates unique numbers each time the page is loaded (each
instance/pageview counts).
The unique identifiers are applicable to all users across all sessions. Therefore, ensure the identifier is unique
across users and sessions. For instance, if the Order ID repeats after 30 days, append the date of the order to
make the Order ID sufficiently unique.
The serialization value may be alphanumeric values up to 20 characters in length. This is identical to the limitations
of s.purchaseID (replace s. with s_ for G Code).
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 238
The s.purchaseID variable serializes all events passed in the variable s.events, and overrides any serialization
value for events. Do not use Event serialization for any events if the s.purchaseID variable is used on the current
page (replace s. with s_ for G Code).
Event Serialization
Event serialization is the process of implementing measures to prevent duplicate events from entering Analytics
reporting. This can commonly occur when a user refreshes the page multiple times, navigates to a certain page
multiple times, or saves the web page to their computer (for example, if a customer saves a purchase confirmation
page to their computer, every time they view it orders and revenue would be counted again if event serialization
was not in place).
Event serialization is useful in the following instances:
A page may be reloaded or refreshed and repeatedly send an event. Event serialization prevents events from
being recounted by using a serial number for each event.
The user saves the page to his/her machine for later review.This scenario is quite common on purchase confirmation
pages to review purchase receipts. Event serialization prevents the subsequent page reloads from re-counting
the events.
This document describes the process used to implement Event serialization for conversion and custom events.
To use Event serialization, you must first enable it in Admin > Report Suite > [select report suite] > Edit Settings
> Success Events. Then select which events you want recorded in the Unique Event Recording column.
Default Behavior
The default behavior is to count each instance of an event. An event is set for each pageviewthat is counted, even
on page reloads or page refreshes. The s.purchaseID variable is used in order to uniquely identify each order
(purchase). This allows a user to reload the order page without recounting the order, revenue, or products. A similar
feature is available for all events. This includes pre-defined events such as prodView and scCheckout, as well as
all custom events.
Always record event: This is the default behavior of all events when initially enabled. All events included in image
requests will be sent directly to Analytics, including page reloads.
Record once per visit: An event with this setting enabled will only track the first instance of that event in a given
visit. Once a new visit starts, each event with this setting enabled can be tracked again. This is an effective way to
mitigate duplicate events via browser refreshes.
Use event ID: This setting allows the capability to associate each event with a unique ID. If Analytics sees an eventID
it has already seen before with that variable, it will not be counted in reporting.
The only event that cannot have event serialization enabled is the purchase event, as this uses the s.purchaseID
variable. All other eCommerce events and custom events can have these settings enabled.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 239
Use a unique identifier to let an event fire once per unique ID.
Send multiple events, then use configure Analytics to let an event fire once per visit.
To implement Event serialization, provide a unique ID for the event, for example event1:1234ABCD.
s.events Syntax
Use the following syntax for serializing events. In the first example, event1 is serialized, while event2 is not serialized
(an instance is counted for each pageview or page reload).
s.events="[event]:[serial number]"
Samples:
s.events="event1:12341234"
s.events="event1:12341234,event2"
s.events="purchase,event1:12341234"
Add the serial number after the event value similar to the following:
s.events="event1=100:12341234"
Cookie deletion does not prevent Event ID serialization because serialization IDs are stored on Adobe servers and
are not cookie-based.
The one success event with which it is not possible to use Event ID serialization is the Purchase event, which uses
a special s.purchaseID variable for serialization.
This can be enabled from the UI: Admin > Report Suite > Edit Settings > Conversion > Success Events.
Serializing eVars
The same functionality used to keep an event from being fired more than once per visit can be applied to evar
instances. When enabled for an evar, click-throughs and instances are only counted once per visit for a specific
evar. This is not counting once per value, but once per evar. This means that if an evar or campaign variable is set
to record once per visit, only the first value seen in a visit shows a click-through or instance. However, if the evar
is set to allocate credit to the most recent value, then the most recent value still receives credit, even if it does not
have an instance. The following example helps to illustrate this point.
If s.campaign is set to Record once per visit, and within a single visit 20, pages are viewed. First, there are 10
pages where s.campaign is set to "abc," then 10 pages are viewed where s_campaign is set to "xyz." On all 20
pages, event1 is fired. The following screen shot illustrates the results. Notice that there are no instances or
Click-throughs associated with "xyz," but it does receive credit for all events fired.
aid (s_vi cookie) Visitor had an existing s_vi cookie before you deployed the
Visitor ID service, or you have a visitor ID grace period
configured.
mid (AMCV_ cookie set by Marketing Cloud Visitor's browser accepts cookies (first-party)
Visitor ID service)
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 241
In many scenarios you might see 2 or 3 different IDs on a call, but Analytics will use the first ID present from the
previous table as the official visitor ID. For example, if you are setting a custom visitor ID (included in the "vid" query
parameter), that ID will be used before other IDs that might be present on that same hit.
Note: Each Analytics visitor ID is associated with a visitor profile on Adobe servers. Visitor profiles are deleted
after 1 year of inactivity regardless of any visitor ID cookie expiration.
Custom Visitor ID
You can implement a custom method to identify visitors by setting the s.visitorID variable.
A custom Visitor ID can be used on sites where you have unique way to identify visitors. An example of this is an
ID generated when a user logs in to web site using a user name and password.
Should you have the ability to derive and manage the visitor IDs of your users, you can use the following methods
to set the ID:
Method Description
s.visitorID variable If JavaScript is used on the browser, or if you are using any other AppMeasurement library,
you can set the visitor ID in a data collection variable.
Query string This lets you pass the visitor ID to Adobe via the vid query string parameter on a
parameter on the hard-coded image request.
image request
Data Insertion API On devices using wireless protocols that don't accept JavaScript, you can send an XML
post containing the <visitorid/> XML element to Adobe collection servers from your servers.
URL re-writing and Some deployment architectures provide support for using URL re-writing to maintain session
VISTA state when a cookie cannot be set. In such cases, Adobe engineering services can implement
a VISTA rule that would look for the session value in the URL of the page, then format and
place into the visid values.
Analytics Visitor ID
When a user visits your site, a persistent cookie is set by the Adobe web server by including it in the HTTP response
to the browser. This cookie is set on the specified data collection domain.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 242
When a request is sent to the Adobe data collection server, the header is checked for the visitor ID cookie (s_vi).
If this cookie is in the request, it is used to identify the visitor. If the cookie is not in the request, the server generates
a unique visitor ID, sets it as a cookie in the HTTP response header, and sends it back with the request. The cookie
is stored in the browser and is sent back to the data collection server during subsequent visits the site, which enables
the visitor to be identified across visits.
To avoid this, many customers have implemented CNAME records for their data collection servers as part of a
first-party cookie implementation. If a CNAME record is configured to map a hostname on the customer's domain
to the data collection server (for example, mapping metrics.mysite.com to mysite.omtrdc.net), the visitor ID
cookie is stored since the data collection domain now matches the domain of the website.This increases the likelihood
that the visitor ID cookie will be stored, but it introduces some overhead as you need to configure CNAME records
and maintain SSL certificates for data collection servers.
Fallback ID Methods
If other visitor ID methods fail, Adobe sets a fallback cookie or uses a combination of IP address and user agent to
identify the visitor.
With this update, if the standard s_vi cookie is unavailable, a fallback cookie is created on the domain of the website
with a randomly generated unique ID. This cookie, named s_fid, is set with a 2 year expiration and is used as the
fallback identification method going forward. This change should result in increased accuracy in visit and visitor
counts in situations where the primary cookie (AMCV_ or s_vi) cannot be set.
Visits total includes all visitors that are identified by the s_vi cookie or by using a fallback method.
In a typical image request, a '1' in the path (/b/ss/rsid/1) causes Adobe servers to return a gif image and to
attempt to set a persistent visitor ID cookie (AMCV_ or s_vi). However, if the device is recognized as a mobile device
based on the HTTP headers, a '5' is passed in place of the '1', which indicates that a wbmp format image should be
returned and that our list of recognized wireless headers (not a cookie) should be used to identify the device.
The following table lists out the order of the ID methods used based on the return image type value ('1' or '5') in the
path:
/5/ /5.1/
Device was identified as a wireless device, or /5/ was manually sent in the image request:
/5.5/
Custom visitor ID
Subscriber ID Header
Cookie
IP Address-User Agent-Gateway IP Address
You can also pass a '1' or a '5' in manual image requests, but be aware that these codes are mutually-exclusive,
therefore always passing '5' does not leverage a cookie when it is supported.You can incorporate your own mechanism
to determine if a device supports cookies, and if so, pass a '1' in the image rather than a '5'. The accuracy improvement
in this situation is limited to the number of mobile devices supporting cookies.
Subscriber ID Headers
The subscriber ID method is generally more reliable than a cookie for user identification because of cookie deletion,
cookie acceptance issues, and gateway cookie management issues.
You can improve changes of identifying a visitor by being added to the white list for the carrier that your mobile
visitors use. To get access to the carrier's visitor ID, contact the carrier to add your domain to their white list. If you
are on a carrier's white list, you also have access to subscriber ID headers that you may not otherwise be able to
access.
The following list of headers is used to identify wireless devices. The algorithm for processing the headers is to
1. extract the HTTP header key (the name of the header, such as,"X-Up-Calling-Line-ID")
2. trim out all non alpha (A-Z and a-z) characters
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 244
For example "callinglineid" would match "X-Up-Calling-Line-ID" and "nokia-callinglineid." The header type tells us
what to expect in the header. The order of header priority is listed here (if a "callinglineid" header is present it is used
instead of "subno").
You can use Dynamic Variables to extract specific values from a header.
Cross-device visitor identification helps you connect visitors across multiple devices.
This feature works by associating the visitor profiles across each device where a user is uniquely identified. After
association, the visitor profile records are merged and visits from each device are considered to be from the same
user. This feature allows campaigns from one device, such as a mobile device, to receive credit from conversion
events made from another device, such as a desktop. This feature is commonly referred to as 'visitor stitching'.
Important: Cross-Device Visitor Identification fundamentally alters how Adobe Analytics identifies unique
visitors and attributes success events. Read this section throughly to fully understand the impacts to determine
if this functionality is right for your unique implementation and business requirements.
This customer is considered a unique visitor and the first-touch email channel is incremented. The next day, this
same customer visits your site from a laptop at his office:
Since the device is new, the customer is considered a unique visitor and the first-touch direct channel is incremented.
A few days later, this same customer visits from a mobile device:
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 246
The visitor ID is typically set after authentication, or after a visitor performs some other action that enables you to
uniquely identify them independently of the device that is used. We recommend creating a hash of the username
or an internal ID that does not contain any personally identifiable information.
In the previous example, after the customer signs on from each device, they are all associated with the same user
profile. If the visitor later signs out on a device, stitching continues to work since the visitor IDs that are stored in a
cookie on each device are already associated with the same visitor profile. We recommend populating the s.visitorID
variable whenever possible in case the visitor ID cookie is deleted.
On the first data connection on the mobile device the customer is not recognized so a new unique visitor is counted.
Once the user is authenticated (cust1) on the mobile device, Adobe Analytics maps cust1 back to the visitor ID
provided on the main site, so no more unique visits are incremented.
On subsequent data connections to authenticated devices unique visitors are not incremented.
To understand how this feature affects data collection, it is useful to understand the visitor data fields in a visitor
profile:
Example Visit
Example containing a sample of server calls sent in a common customer interaction.
Server Call Action Visitor ID Visitor ID Effective Visit Page Visit Number
Cookie Variable Visitor ID Number
1 A visitor clicks 1 - 1 1 8
a link in a
marketing
email and visits
your site from
home
computer. This
visitor has
visited your
site 7 other
times in the
past.
2-8 Visits 7 1 - 1 2-8 8
additional
pages on your
site.
9 Authenticates 1 CID1 CID1 1 1
on home
computer.
10 Visits 1 1 CID1 CID1 2 1
additional
page.
11 Opens site 2 - 2 1 1
from laptop at
office. This
visitor has not
visited your
site before
using this
device.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 249
Server Call Action Visitor ID Visitor ID Effective Visit Page Visit Number
Cookie Variable Visitor ID Number
12 Authenticates 2 CID1 CID1 1 9
on laptop.
13 Views 1 2 CID1 CID1 2 9
additional
page.
Visitors
Analytics counts each unique effective visitor ID as a unique visitor.
If you look at the previous table, this occurred 3 times: at hits 1, 9, and 10. This occurs because the effective visitor
ID is the same for both server calls, and occurs even though the visits might be several hours apart and on different
devices.
This can increase the number of unique visitors you see when cross-device visitor identification is enabled. The
visitor might be counted twice on the same visit: once for the initial visit and again after the user is authenticated.
When a new visitor views your site, the s_vi cookie is populated and stored. On the data collection server, a new
visitor profile is created for this visitor ID, and the effective visitor ID on the profile is set to match the cookie.
When cross-device visitor identification is enabled, if a visitor ID variable is provided in a subsequent hit (for example,
after authentication), the effective visitor ID is updated to match the custom value. This can cause the effective
visitor ID to change directly after authentication, resulting in multiple visitor counts.
After the initial association, visit counts return to normal because the visitor is associated through the visitor ID
cookie. If the visitor later views your site and then authenticates, the visitor count is not inflated because the effective
visitor ID doesn't change after authentication.
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Visits
Analytics counts a visit each time a server call occurs with a Visit Page Number equal to 1.
If you look at the previous table, this occurred 4 times: at hits 1, 9, 10, and 11. Similar to visitors, this value returns
to normal after the initial association because the Visit Page Number is not reset back to 1 due to a change in the
effective visitor ID.
Create Segments
You can create a segment whenever an association occurs for a given visitor ID cookie.
Based on the previous table, if you created a segment where visit number equals 9, it would include server calls 11
and 12. Even through server call 10 was technically part of the same visit, the historical data for that server call is
not altered and the visit number remains unchanged.
Geo-Segmentation Data
Geo-Segmentation data is recorded based on the first hit of the visit, and does not change for a single visit regardless
of the device used.
If a customer browses your site from his or her home computer, and then from a mobile device within 30 minutes,
the Geo-Segmentation data is not changed. If you are using VISTA to populate an eVar with Geo-Segmentation
data, it is based on the IP address in each hit. This could result in multiple Geo-Segmentation data values if the IP
address changes for the same visit.
The example below is a representation of how data is sent to Adobe Analytics when a customer authenticates for
the first time, on the first device:
eVar16 has an expiration of 1 day and evar17 expires on visit.
The post_visitor_id column represents the profile maintained by Adobe Analytics.
The post_evar16 and post_evar17 columns show shows the persistence of eVars.
cust_visid represents a value set in s.visitorID.
Each row is one 'hit', a single request sent to Adobe Analytics data collection servers.
On the first data connection containing a previously unrecognized s.visitorID value (u999 above), the new profile
is created. Persistent values from the previous profile are transferred to the new profile.
eVars set to expire on the visit are not copied to the authenticated profile. Note the value car above is not persisted.
eVars set to expire by other measures will be copied to the authenticated profile. Note the value apple is persisted.
For the eVars that are persisted, no Instance metric is recorded. This means when using cross-device visitor
identification, it is possible to see reports where the Unique Visits metric for an eVar value is larger than the Instance
metric.
On subsequent data connections
The example below is a representation of how data is sent to Adobe Analytics when a customer authenticates on
a new device, after having previously authenticated on a different device:
When the customer authenticates his or her id is matched to the previous 'authenticated' profile - 2947539300. The
profile used at the start of this visit (5477766334477) is no longer used and no data persists from the file.
Geo-Segmentation data is recorded based on the first hit of the visit and does not change for a single visit regardless
of the device used. This means on a subsequent data connection on a new device, geo-Segmentation data is
generally not included.
Technology columns such as browser, operating system, and color depth are recorded on the first hit of a visit.
Like Geo-Segmentation values, they will not be copied to the stitched profile.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 252
A Marketing Channel such as Direct or Internal which is commonly set up to not overwrite another channel will
overwrite other channels on a subsequent data connection containing a first authentication for that device, such
as the first authentication shown in Unique Visitor and Visits Counts.
Special cases
In some other cases data is not persisted from the unauthenticated to the authenticated profile.
If a user is new to your site (has never visited before on this device) AND that user authenticates within approximately
3 minutes of arriving, no values will persist to the authenticated profile.
Visitor Migration
Visitor migration is a process where the visitor ID cookie is migrated from one domain to another.
Visitor migration lets you preserve visitor identification cookies when changing data collection domains. Data collection
domains might change for the following reasons:
Moving from 2o7.net to omtrdc.net (Regional Data Collection).
You are implementing the Marketing Cloud Visitor ID Service and are moving from a CNAME/first-party data
collection domain to 2o7.net or omtrdc.net (Regional Data Collection)
Moving from 2o7.net or omtrdc.net to a cname/first-party data collection (First-Party Cookies).
Moving from one CNAME to another (changing domains).
After visitor migration is configured, when a user visits the new domain without a visitor ID cookie, the server redirects
to the previous data collection hostname, retrieves any available visitor ID cookies, and then redirects back to the
new domain. If a Visitor ID is not found on the previous hostname, a new ID is generated. This occurs only once
per visitor.
Task Description
To get started: Contact Customer Care Create a list with the exact syntax for the domains you want to migrate
with the domain(s) you want to migrate, to and migrate from.
and the migration period you would like to example.112.2o7.net > metrics.example.com
enable (30, 60, or 90 days). Make sure you example.102.112.2o7.net > smetrics.example.com
include the non-secure and secure
The migration host names are configured on Adobe Data collection
domains.
server. Customer Care will let you know when the change is made so
you can plan for the next step.
6+ hours after configuration change: After you make this change, use a Packet Analyzer to verify that the
Update the s.trackingServer and Analtyics image request is going to the updated data collection server.
s.trackingServerSecure variables in
your Analytics JavaScript code to use the
new data collection servers.
Immediately after updating your Use a Packet Analyzer to verify that when you access your site for the
Analytics code: Test your site to verify first time, or after clearing cookies, you see three 302 (redirect) HTTP
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 253
Task Description
that the redirect to the previous data status codes before the 200 (OK) HTTP status code. If any of these
collection domain is occurring. redirects fail, contact Customer Care immediately to ensure that the
migration is configured correctly.
For the entire migration period: Keep The previous hostname must resolve through DNS or the cookie
the DNS record for the previous hostname migration will not occur.
active.
Learn about the benefits and constraints of using Timestamps Optional setting.
Timestamps Optional is the default setting for all new report suites.
Mix timestamped and non-timestamped data in the same global report suite.
Send timestamped data from a mobile app to a global report suite.
Upgrade apps to employ timestamps without having to create a new report suite.
Note: Timestamps Optional is the default setting for all new report suites generated from a template. New
report suites copied from an existing report suite will inherit settings from the original.
Timestamped data could not be sent to a Updating an app to collect and use timestamps required
non-timestamped global report suite. Consequently, hit you to employ a new report suite.
data sent from offline devices was dropped when adding
to a non-timestamped report suite.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 255
With Timestamps Optional, you can integrate non-timestamped data from a live website with offline data from
mobile devices, or update your non-timestamped app to a timestamped app.
Important: Carefully plan the design for each component data set so the combination makes sense in a global
report suite.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 256
Using timestamps when setting a s.visitorID is not recommended. It can lead to out-of-order data.
Hybrid apps composed of an app (timestamped, offline data) opening a web browser (non-timestamped, live data)
should not use timestamps. It results in inaccurate reporting of the session.
Redirects point the browser to a new location without user interaction. They are executed at either the web browser
(client-side redirect) or at the web server (server-side redirect).
Because redirects do not require any user interaction, redirects are often executed without the user ever noticing.
The only thing that indicates a redirect has occurred is the browser's address bar. The address bar displays a URL
that is different from the link the browser initially requested.
Although there are only two types of redirects, they can be implemented in numerous ways. For example, client-side
redirects can occur because the web page to which a user has pointed his or her browser contains scripting or
special HTML code that redirects the browser to another URL. Server-side redirects can occur because the page
contains server-side scripting or because the web server has been configured to point the user to another URL.
1. User points his or her browser to www.google.com, and types, "discount airline tickets" into the search field,
and then clicks the Search button.
2. The browser displays the search results including a link to your site, http://www.flywithus.com/. After
displaying the search results, the browser's address bar displays the search terms that the user entered in the
search field (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=discount+airline+tickets). Notice that
the search terms are included in the URL query string parameters that follow http://www.google.com/search?.
3. The user clicks the link to your hypothetical site http://www.flywithus.com/. When the user clicks this
link and lands on the flywithus.com website, Analytics uses JavaScript to collect the referring URL
(http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=discount+airline+tickets) as well as the
current URL (http://www.flywithus.com/).
4. Analytics reports the information collected during this interaction in various reports, such as Referring Domains,
Search Engines, and Search Keywords.
1. User points his or her browser to www.google.com, and types, "discount airline tickets" into the search field,
and then clicks the Search button.
Implementing Analytics Using JavaScript 258
2. The browser window's address bar displays the search terms that the user typed into the search field
(http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=discount+airline+tickets). Notice that the
search terms are included in the URL query string parameters that follow "http://www.google.com/search?".
The browser also displays a page that contains the search results including a link to one of your domain names:
http://www.flytohawaiiforfree.com/. This vanity domain is configured to redirect the user to
http://www.flywithus.com/.
3. The user clicks on the link http://www.flytohawaiiforfree.com/ and is redirected by the server to your
main site, http://www.flywithus.com. When the redirection occurs, the data that is important to Analytics
data collection is lost because the browser clears the referring URL. Thus, the original search information used
in the Analytics reports (for example, Referring Domains, Search Engines, Search Keywords) is lost.
Implementing Redirects discusses how to leverage Analytics variables to capture the data lost in the redirect.
Specifically, the section discusses how to fix the "discount airline tickets" situation described above.
Implementing Redirects
In order to capture Analytics data from redirects, four minor alterations need to be made to the code that creates
the redirect and the AppMeasurement for JavaScript file.
Completing the following steps will retain the information that the original referrer (for example,
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=discount+airline+tickets in the scenario
above) passes to your site:
Adobe Customer Care can provide you with a JavaScript file that contains code that will override the default
functionality Analytics uses to capture the referrer from the HTTP header.
The code snippet below shows two JavaScript variables, s_referrer and s_pageURL. This code is placed on the
ultimate landing page of the redirect.
<script language="JavaScript"
src="//INSERT-DOMAIN-AND-PATH-TO-CODE-HERE/AppMeasurement.js"></script>
<script language="JavaScript"><!--
/* You may give each page an identifying name, server, and channel on
the next lines. */
s.pageName=""
s.server=""
s.campaign=""
s.referrer=""
s.pageURL=""
Important: Set s.referrer only once on the page. Setting it more than once with every tracking call or with
every link click that is tracked causes double counting of the referrer and related dimensions, such as search
engines and keywords.
s.referrer=tempVar;
// H Code
var tempVar=s.getQueryParam('origref')
if(tempVar)
s.referrer=tempVar;
Because there are many ways to implement a redirect, you should check with your web operations group or your
online advertising partner to identify the specific mechanisms that execute redirects on your website.
Therefore, the final version of the landing page would need to contain the following code to correct the issues
introduced in the "discount airline tickets" scenario.
<script language="JavaScript"
src="http://INSERT-DOMAIN-AND-PATH-TO-CODE-HERE/AppMeasurement.js"></script>
<script language="JavaScript"><!--
/* You may give each page an identifying name, server, and channel on
the next lines. */
s.pageName=""
s.server=""
s.campaign=""
s.referrer="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=discount+airline+tickets"
// Setting the s.pageURL variable is optional.
s.pageURL="http://www.flytohawaiiforfree.com"
Run a test to verify that the referrer, originating URL (s_server) and campaign variables are being captured.
These variables will be represented as the following parameters in the Adobe Debugger.
Ultimate Landing Page URL http://www.flywithus.com This value will NOT appear in the
DigitalPulse Debugger if the pageURL
variable is used.
The text that the debugger displays should correspond to the following example:
Image
http://flywithuscom.112.2o7.net/b/ss/flywithuscom/1/JS-1.4/s61944015791667?[AQB]
ndh=1
t=4/8/2014 13:34:28 4 360
pageName=Welcome to FlyWithUs.com
r=http://ref=www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=discount+airline+tickets
cc=USD
g=http://www.flytohawaiiforfree.com
s=1280x1024
c=32
j=1.3
v=Y
k=Y
bw=1029
bh=716
ct=lan
hp=N
[AQE]
After verifying that the Adobe Debugger displays these variables, it is always helpful to confirm that the search terms
and the original referring domain (prior to the redirect) are registering traffic in reports.
Testing and Validation 261
JavaScript JS File
Verify that the .JS file is correctly referenced from the page. The path can be specified either relative to the current
document, or an absolute path name can be used.
<script language="JavaScript"
src="http://www.sampleco.com/javascript/includes/s_code.js"></script>
If some pages of the site are loaded in a secure protocol (https:), and reference the AppMeasurement for JavaScript
file, ensure that the reference to the file is either secure (via https:) or code the reference as shown below. This
example adopts the protocol of the current page and prevents the warning that "some elements are non-secure."
<script language="JavaScript"
src="//www.sampleco.com/javascript/includes/s_code.js"></script>
Ensure that the .JS file on the web servers have permissions appropriately set so that the file may be downloaded
and executed by website visitors. If a different .JS file is used on development servers, set the "read only" attribute
for the .JS file on production servers to avoid an overwrite. If altered, ensure that the following settings are set
appropriately at the top of the .JS file:
/************************** CONFIG SECTION **************************/
/* You may add or alter any code config here. */
Testing and Validation 262
If "s_account" is assigned a value at the top of the .JS file, ensure that the report suite ID (populated in the s_account
variable) is correct. Also ensure that the code in the page is not setting the Report Suite ID (s_account variable).
Examine the image request and variables to ensure that the "fallback method" (the third part of the "split" code in
the example above) is not creating the image request instead of the .JS file. This can be determined since the
"fallback" method only creates an image request with minimal information.
Code Modifications
Testing any modifications to the .JS file or HTML code is the responsibility of the customer. It should be completed
prior to publishing the modifications to production websites.
Ensure that the linefeeds/return characters are not stripped or altered from the code that is placed within the HTML,
or from within the .JS file. Ensure that the JavaScript executes without an error on all pages and page templates
(in Internet Explorer Internet Options, select the Advanced Tab, and click Display a Notification about Every Script
Error.
When testing for errors, paste the code into a default HTML page to determine if the error is occurring because of
other page elements/objects.
<html><head></head><body>
...paste code here to debug...
</body></html>
Ensure that the values of the variables do not exceed their maximum limits, specified in this document. Additional
characters are cropped at the data collection servers. They may interfere with the total length, increase bandwidth
unnecessarily, and may cause other issues.
Do not use $, , , , or commas (,) in the products variable. Generally, these are not useful in any Analytics
variables and may interfere with the ability to interpret or export fields. The best practice is to limit characters to the
first 127 ASCII characters.
Ensure that the events variable is populated with an appropriate value (prodView, purchase, scAdd, scRemove,
scOpen, or event1-event5) whenever products is populated. Ensure that the case of all Analytics variables and
functions are maintained, as shown below.
s.pageName
s.server
s.channel
s.pageType
s.prop1 s.prop20
Testing and Validation 263
s.campaign
s.state
s.zip
s.events
s.products
s.purchaseID
s.eVar1 s.eVar20
var s_code=s.t();if(s_code)document.write(s_code)//-->
Page names are case sensitive, and differences create additional page records. "Home" and "home" are two different
pages within Analytics.
Validate that links are reported in the Custom Links report. Ensure that the correct parameters are passed to the
tl function. For more information on custom links, see The s.tl() Function - Link Tracking.
Custom Variables
List of custom variables used in Analytics.
Variable Description
Traffic Variables Check the value of prop1 - 75. Here is a checklist of items to check.
Is the correct case used? "ValueA" is a different record than "valueA." You can use
all lowercase since a small subset of browsers convert all variables to lower case.
Are the values less than 100 characters in length? If not, some clipping of the values
can occur.
Are all the values in a single property variable related, or do some values look out
of place?
Conversion Variables Econversion variables include eVar 1 - 75. Here is a list of issues to check for the
following.
Is the correct case used? "ValueA" is a different record than "valueA." You can use
all lowercase since a small subset of browsers convert all variables to lower case.
Are the values less than 255 characters in length? If not, some clipping of the values
can occur.
Are all the values in a single eVar related, or do some values look out of place?
Custom Events Events include both standard values (prodView, scOpen, scAdd, scCheckout,
purchase), as well as custom events from event1 to event100. All events are sent
in the events variable. Multiple events on the same page should be comma-delimited
(no white space).
For all the standard conversion events, products should also be populated with the
applicable products. For all events except purchase, the qty and price elements
are optional.
The purchase event, must be set only once in a session after the purchase has
been completed and confirmed.
Implementation Acceptance
Implementation process steps.
The following steps outline the implementation process.
Testing and Validation 264
1. The Adobe Consultant gathers report requirements and creates a data collection plan based on those requirements.
The data collection plan includes variable definitions, required VISTA rules and custom JavaScript, data correlation,
and all settings for each report suite. The client completes the Implementation Questionnaire.
2. Technical resources on the client-side implement the code, site-specific JavaScript, and server-side variables.
3. The Adobe Consultant addresses technical issues during the implementation and assists in devising solutions
as required.
4. Technical resources on the client-side unit test the implementation.
Testers log in to Analytics and verifying all variables (page name, channel, server, events, campaign, econversion
variables, custom traffic variables, products, and all other variables).
5. The client notifies Adobe that the implementation is complete.
The client provides a validation sample (data sample) to the Adobe Consultant to validate data accuracy.
(VISTA-generated report suites are validated by comparing appropriate metrics. A client-Adobe agreement of
the metrics to be validated for such report suites shall be made in advance, at the time of the VISTA rule creation.)
6. The client faxes (or signs online) an Implementation Acceptance and Agreement for the appropriate site(s).
7. After the acceptance has been received, the Adobe Consultant enables the Adobe Best Practices - Implementation
Verification certification within the interface.
8. Optionally, the client can contract with Adobe for monitoring services for key pages of the implemented site
(generally, these are the primary templates, home page, and critical entry pages).
This monitoring software is described in a separate document, but tracks pages by loading and executing the
page, then comparing the image request to a baseline stored in a database. If any differences are detected, the
software notifies specified Adobe (AM/IE) and client personnel via email.
The preferred data points for this validation, in order of preference, are listed as follows:
(Econversion sites) Comparison of econversion orders for a single day.
Comparison of known success events, especially logged data where IP address and other browser information
generally stored in web server logs can be compared to the data collected.
Comparison of page views.
Note: Default pages, such as index.html, often receive automated or monitoring traffic. These pages
represent a greater difference to browser-based data collection than other visited pages.
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All three types of validation require a debug log or data feed for the time period in question. This is generally one
day or less.
It is expected that orders or success events can be measured to within 2-3% of actual values (sometimes reaching
higher accuracy levels) using standard JavaScript-based implementations. This assumes an SSL page, since SSL
pages are cached much less frequently, and by definition they should not be cached. An implementation with fully
server-side image requests on an SSL page should come within about 0-1% of actual values. Non-secure pages
may experience higher differences, but still within 5% of actual values.
When comparing page views for a single time period, it is expected that the page views can be accounted for within
5% of actual values, not including monitoring (such as Keynote or WhatsUpGold) or automated traffic (spiders, bots,
and scripts).
Data accuracy comparisons need to take into account the following items:
QA or other types of internal testing that may be filtered by IP addresses or VISTA rules.
Smart tags that only generate tags for certain types of orders or traffic.
Queries for comparison must take into account what is being measured by the website (not including returns, orders
placed by customer service personnel, or other special conditions).
Ensure that the time zone differences between the query and the report suite match.
Custom Keynote or similar traffic (Keynote Transaction, etc.) that measure the ordering process and may be
reflected in tags, but removed from ordering systems.
Account for the client's de-duping processes.
Reloads of the order page (Orders are de-duplicated based on purchaseID).
Adobe Debugger
The Adobe Debugger (previously DigitalPulse Debugger) is a free tool provided by Adobe that lets you view the
data being collected from your site on any given page.
When executed in your browser, it shows the image requests that transmitted data from that page into Marketing
Cloud solutions, along with any variable values or parameters that were captured.This allows you and your developers
to check the validity of your implementation on any page on your site.
The DigitalPulse Debugger is officially supported for use in all recent versions and builds of Mozilla Firefox, Google
Chrome, Microsoft Internet Explorer, and Safari.
Note: Because the Debugger functions by creating a pop-up window when you access a special bookmark
in your web browser, certain ad-blocking plug-ins and pop-up blockers might interfere with the loading of the
Debugger.
1. Copy the following text to your clipboard (triple-clicking might help in highlighting all the text):
javascript:void(window.open("","dp_debugger","width=600,height=600,location=0,menubar=0,status=1,toolbar=0,resizable=1,scrollbars=1").document.write("<script
language='JavaScript' id=dbg
src='https://www.adobetag.com/d1/digitalpulsedebugger/live/DPD.js'></"+"script>"));
Mozilla Firefox
Instructions to create a bookmark for the Adobe Debugger (previously DigitalPulse Debugger) from within Mozilla
Firefox.
Google Chrome
Instructions to create a bookmark for the Adobe Debugger (previously DigitalPulse Debugger) from within Google
Chrome.
1. Right-click the Bookmarks bar (depending on your Chrome settings the Bookmarks bar might be on the New
Tab page), then click Add Page.
2. In the Name field, specify "Adobe Debugger" as the name for the new bookmark.
3. In the URL field, paste the code that you copied to your clipboard as explained in Adobe Debugger Installation.
4. Browse to and specify the location you want to save the bookmark.
5. Click OK.
Instructions to create a bookmark for the Adobe Debugger (previously DigitalPulse Debugger) from within Microsoft
Internet Explorer.
1.
In the Favorites Bar, click the Add to Favorites Bar icon ( ) icon.
If the Favorites Bar is hidden, right-click the browser header, then click Favorites Bar.
1. From your browser, click the bookmark or bookmarklet to launch the DigitalPulse Debugger in a new window.
Testing and Validation 267
Packet Analyzers
Packet analyzers let you view the data sent by your implementation to Adobe Data Collection Servers.
Simliar to the DigitalPulse Debugger, a packet monitor shows what data parameters are being passed in an image
request; however, packet monitors provide added functionality:
View custom link tracking image requests
View image requests using implementation methods other than JavaScript, such as hard-coded image requests
or Appmeasurement
To view Analytics requests, filter outgoing requests using "b/ss".
In very rare cases, the debugger will report an image request although no request makes it to Adobe's Analytics
processing servers. Using a packet monitor is a great way to be 100% sure that a specific image request is being
fired successfully.
While Adobe does not provide an official packet monitor, there are a wide range of them on the internet. The following
are some packet monitors others have found useful.
Note: These lists are not meant to be comprehensive, but rather information on frequently used monitors. If
you have a packet monitor you successfully use and find useful, feel free to provide feedback using the
Feedback button on the right side of this window.
Testing and Validation 268
Note: Adobe does NOT support or troubleshoot any issues you may experience with these packet monitors.
Consult the packet monitor's originating site for assistance instead.
Adobe's response to the image request is simply a blank 1x1 transparent image, which is not relevant to the content
of the page. If you see a line item in your packet monitor from Adobe, either with a 200 OK response or an
NS_BINDING_ABORTED response, the data has reached our servers. There is no need to have the page wait any
longer.
Packet monitors integrated as a plug-in rarely see the full response.They tend to see the request as aborted because
the full response was not received. These monitors also rarely make a distinction between whether it was the request
or response that was aborted. A stand alone packet monitor typically has more detailed messages and reports the
status more accurately. For example, a user may get a message in Charles saying "Client closed connection before
receiving entire response." This means the data did reach our servers, just the browser moved on to the next page
before the 1x1 pixel was received.
If an external packet sniffer is reporting that the data collection request is aborted, rather than the response, this is
a cause for concern. Adobe Customer Care can provide help in troubleshooting.
A successful implementation means drawing useful data from your website. An unsuccessful implementation can
mean spending time looking through your JavaScript code to find errors. In an attempt to save you time and prevent
frustration, some of the most common code mistakes users make when implementing are listed in the following
sections.
Note: This section applies only to the legacy s_code.js implementation. About AppMeasurement for JavaScript
supports deploying the library and page code in the <head> tag.
Testing and Validation 269
Previously, a common implementation practice was to place the Analytics JavaScript code between the <head> and
</head> tags. By placing the code between these tags it prevented the 1 x 1 pixel image that was returned by the
request that sent data into Adobe servers from affecting page layout in any way. Putting code in the document head
means the code appears earlier in the code. This lets it execute sooner, which lets you count page views for partial
page loads more effectively.
Certain elements of the code require the existence of the body object. Since Web browsers execute code in the
order they receive it, if the Analytics JavaScript code is in the document head, it executes before the body object
exists. As a result, your implementation does not collect ClickMap data, and automatic tracking of file downloads
or exit links are not available. You also do not receive connection type data or visitor home page data. Putting the
code in the document head works, but the result is a very limited version of Analytics, and users may wonder why
certain reports and tools, including ClickMap, aren't recording data.
The Analytics code can be placed anywhere inside BODY tags ( <BODY></BODY>) of a well-formed HTML page.
Adobe recommends placing the code in a global include file at the top of the page (inside the HTML body tag). The
code can be placed anywhere on the page, except as noted below:
If placed within a table, post the code only within the <td></td> tags. For example, do not place the code between
an opening <tr> tag and an opening <td> tag.
The code that sets the variables must occur after the reference to the s_code.js file.
Make certain that the report suite IDs in the s_account variable in the s_code.js file are set correctly. This
variable is typically set correctly when downloading code from the Code Manager for a particular report suite, or
as supplied by an Adobe Technical Consultant.
If you want to integrate Analytics with Target, the JavaScript include file must be placed at the bottom of the page.
The following example shows correct placement of the Analytics code:
<html>
<head></head>
<body>
<!-- Analytics code version: H.20.3.
Copyright 1997-2009 Omniture, Inc. More info available at
http://www.omniture.com -->
<script language="JavaScript" type="text/javascript"
src="http://www.yourdomain.com/js/s_code.js"></script>
<script language="JavaScript" type="text/javascript"><!--
/* You may give each page an identifying name, server, and channel on
the next lines. */
s.pageName=""
s.server=""
s.channel=""
s.pageType=""
s.prop1=""
s.prop2=""
s.prop3=""
s.prop4=""
s.prop5=""
/* Conversion Variables */
s.campaign=""
s.state=""
s.zip=""
s.events=""
s.products=""
s.purchaseID=""
s.eVar1=""
s.eVar2=""
s.eVar3=""
s.eVar4=""
s.eVar5=""
/************* DO NOT ALTER ANYTHING BELOW THIS LINE ! **************/
var s_code=s.t();if(s_code)document.write(s_code)//--></script>
<!-- End Analytics code version: H.20.3. -->
Testing and Validation 270
</body>
</html>
Setting s.linkTrackVars and s.linkTrackEvents does not actually set these variables/events, it only prepares the
Analytics code to do so. You still need to set the variables manually, as shown in the example below:
<script language="javascript">
function customLinks () {
var s=s_gi('myreportsuite');
s.linkTrackVars="prop1,eVar7,products,events";
s.linkTrackEvents="event5,event9";
s.prop1="Link Click";
s.eVar7="my_page.html";
s.events="event5";
s.tl(true,'o','Custom Link Click');
}
</script>
<a href="my_page.html" onclick="customLinks();">My Page</a>
Notice that events is listed in the s.linkTrackVars variable. The individual events that may be passed are included
in the s.linkTrackEvents variable and are also included within s.events later in the function. Each of the variables
that are passed are listed in s.linkTrackVars before they are populated later in the function. Also, "event9 has been
included in s.linkTrackEvents, but has not been included in s.events. It is not recorded, but could be recorded if
the user had chosen to set s.events="event5,event9."
Automatic file download and Exit link tracking work differently. The s.linkTrackVars and s.linkTrackEvents are
included in the standard s_code.js file, and both are set to none. These variables are typically left set to none in
the s_code.js file so that automatic link tracking, unlike custom link tracking, uses the s.linkTrackVars and
s.linkTrackEvents values that you set in the global JavaScript file. They also pass whatever the existing values of
those variables are whenever a file download or Exit link is recorded.
Consider the example where s.channel="Home" when the page loads, and where s.linkTrackVars="channel" in your
s_code.js file. If a user clicks to download a file, automatic file download tracking passes data into Analytics,
including the value of s.channel that was set on page load. "Home" is passed a second time, leading to inflation in
page view data for this value in the Site Sections report.
Adobe strongly recommends leaving the s.linkTrackVars and s.linkTrackEvents set to "none" in the global
JavaScript file and setting them explicitly as necessary with your custom link tracking implementation.
Here are a few extremely easy-to-make mistakes that can cause issues on any implementation.
Testing and Validation 271
Make sure that your category, product name, and revenue totals are devoid of commas and semi-colons. The
comma is used to separate entries in the s.products string. This happens when you have two products in the same
transaction, the semi-colon is used to delimit fields within an entry. If you use a comma or semi-colon in any other
way, data collection assumes that you are separating product entries. Consider the following example:
s.products="widgets;large widget, 40x40;1;19.99,wugs;tiny wug;2;1,999.98";
In this implementation, the developer probably intended for data collection to read this as shown below:
Category 1: widgets
Units 1: 1
Revenue 1: 19.99
Category 2: wugs
Units 2: 2
Revenue 2: 1,999.98
Note the commas in the Product 1 and Revenue 2 entries. These indicate a new product entry. Data collection would
interpret the above as:
Category 1: widgets
Category 2: 40'x40'
Product 2: 1
Units 2: 19.99
Category 3: wugs
Units 3: 2
Revenue 3: 1
Category 4: 999.98
A mistake like this often results in unexpected numerical values in the Products report, because the units field is
recorded as the product name. If you see invalid product names in your Products report, review your s.products
variable implementation for misuse of reserved characters, like the comma.
Your product and category names should not contain unsupported characters. This can be especially difficult in the
s.products string, because product names are often likely to contain characters such as , , and . These
characters need to be stripped out of the product and category values before they are placed into s.products. You
also need to ensure that currency symbols are not included in your revenue values. Supported characters are
numbers 1-127 from the ASCII table.
If you are not passing a product category in the product string, make sure to include a semi-colon (;) where the
product category is normally displayed, as shown below:
s.products=";product name"
Testing and Validation 272
In this case, the semi-colon represents a placeholder for the product category. If the semi-colon is left out of the
product string, then "product name" would be counted as the category, the number of units to be counted as the
product name, the revenue to be counted as the units, and so on.
On a 404 error page, the pageName variable should not be populated. The pageType variable should be set only
on a designated 404 error page. Any page containing content should never have a value in the pageType variable.
For pages containing content, you can set the variable as shown below:
pageType=""
It is best to delete the variable completely from pages containing content. This practice is recommended to avoid
confusion regarding the purpose of the variable.
In this case, document.title populates s.pageName, which should receive a value of "Home Page." Notice the space
before "Home Page." Not all browsers interpret this white space in the same way. The result may be either of two
examples below:
s.pageName="Home Page"
s.pageName=" Home Page"
The first value displays correctly, but the second displays white space before the text. Analytics treats these as
distinct values for the s.pageName variable. The Analytics interface strips the leading white space from the second
value. The result is a report that displays as shown below.
This implementation error causes your variable values to be fragmented across multiple line items. SAINT does not
allow leading white space in a key value. This means that it cannot be used to group multiple line items as a
Testing and Validation 273
work-around if this issue is affecting your site. The only way to fix the problem is to pre-process the desired variable
value (in this case, the document.title property) to remove any leading (or trailing) white space.
The example above uses the s.pageName variable with the document.title property. Adobe does not recommend
using document.title as the page name, nor does this issue only affect the s.pageName variable. Any variable that
has leading/trailing white space in its value can be affected.
Using Quotes
When you input values into a variable, there are a few best practices to follow.
You can use single quotes or double quotes, make sure you are consistent. If you are using single quotes, always
use single quotes. If you are using double quotes, always use double quotes. Both of the examples below are correct.
s.prop2='test' (single quotes)
s.prop2="test" (double quotes)
Make sure that you have smart quotes turned off. If you are using single quotes, and you have an apostrophe in the
variable value, JavaScript interprets the apostrophe as a single quote. This means it is the end of the string. Consider
the following example:
s.pageName='John's Home Page'
In this case, JavaScript would interpret the apostrophe (which is also a single quote) in "John's" to be the end of the
string. Since ''s Home Page" has no meaning in JavaScript, it causes an error that prevents the image request from
occurring. Either of the following examples would work:
s.pageName='John\'s Home Page'
s.pageName="John's Home Page"
In the first example, you can escape the apostrophe by inserting a backslash (\) immediately before it. This tells
JavaScript that the apostrophe is not ending the string, but rather is part of it. The string then ends as intended, at
the closing single-quote.The second example uses double-quotes around the entire string. In this case, a single-quote
cannot indicate the end of the string. The same is true if a double-quote is part of the string. A value of
s.pageName="Team Says "We Win!"" would be incorrect because of the use of double-quotes within the string, as
well as surrounding it. This would be correct if entered as s.pageName="Team Says \"We Win!\"".
Plug-ins
Some customers implement plug-ins to enhance their Adobe experience. When you replace your code, do not forget
that you have plug-ins as part of that code. The code created in the Code Manager does not have any plug-in code
with it, so all plug-ins need to migrate manually to the newer code base. Make a copy of your existing code just in
case something happens, and you need to revert to your previous code.
Incorrect Correct
prop1 s.prop1 (uses "s.")
s.evar1 s.eVar1 (uses correct capitalization)
s.pagetype='errorpage'; s.pageType='errorPage'; (uses correct capitalization)
s.tl(this,o,pageA) s.tl(this,'o','pageA'); (correct usage of single quotes)
s.events='event1'; s.events='event2'; s.events='event1,event2'; (correct format)
s.pageName="John" (smart quotes on) s.pageName="John" (smart quotes off)
s.products="shoes,UX4879,1,19.99" s.products="shoes;UX4879;1;19.99" (uses semicolons,
not commas)
s.products=";MacBook Air;1;$1999.99" s.products=";MacBook Air;1;1999.99" (does not use dollar
signs)
s.products=";Nikon SB-600 Speedlight Flash for Nikon s.products=";Nikon SB-600 Speedlight Flash for Nikon
Digital SLR Cameras;1;229.9489183" Digital SLR Cameras;1;229.95" (round or truncate long
prices)
var s_account="rsid1, rsid2" var s_account="rsid1,rsid2" (no space between report
suite IDs when doing multi-suite tagging)
s.events="event1, event2" s.events="event1,event2" (no space between event IDs
when doing multi-event tagging)
s.products="product name" s.products=";product name" (semicolon used when no
product category is listed)
Additional Notes
Keep the closing HTML comment at the very end of the Adobe code (even if you are using the NOSCRIPT part of
the script).
Vulnerability Scanner
Whenever users are allowed to input values that are stored in Analytics or any other JavaScript variables, values
should be properly escaped or URIEncoded.
We highly recommend using a vulnerability scanning service to avoid injection attacks and other potential exploits
that might be present in your code.
Testing and Validation 275
Page Naming
The pageName variable is used to identify each page that is tracked on the website.
If the pageName variable is not populated with a defined value (such as Home), Analytics uses the URL of the page.
Because the page name is central to your reports, make sure that all parties in your organization agree on a strategy
before you implement.
Depending on the content management system your site uses, it is helpful to add content elements to your system
that can be used to populate Analytics variables. Many companies find that most Analytics variables can be populated
from existing content management elements.
The pageName variable should be populated with an easy-to-read, intuitive, page identifier.
You can determine the best way of populating the pageName variable by looking at the structure of your website.
The methods listed below outline various ways of populating the pageName variable.
While the pageName variable is central to identifying user behavior, Adobe recommends using multiple variables
to indicate page information. The best page naming strategies use a different variable for each level of hierarchy
within your site, as shown below:
The channel variable can be used to indicate the site section.
The pageName variable can be used to show content type.
A custom insight variable (prop1) can be used for detailed content.
The more layered your site, the more variables should be used to identify page content. Companies also find value
in allowing for overlap between variables. For example, a more detailed variable may contain information not only
about the product being viewed, but also about the site section and sub-section. This is particularly helpful when a
product or article appears in more than one section of the site.
The following page naming strategies describe how to populate the pageName variable. While it is tempting to
choose the page naming strategy that is easiest to implement, the page naming strategy largely determines the
usability of all Path and Page reports. Use good judgment when deciding how pages are named.
Most Analytics users find that hierarchical page names are useful in both identifying where the page is found on the
site and its purpose. The following table shows some sample page names for various industries:
Adobe does not recommend leaving the pageName blank, (which results in using the full URL of the page) even
though you may be tempted to do so. The following side-effects are caused by leaving the pageName variable blank
and using the pageURL as the page identifier.
The domain and path of a page may not always be displayed identically. For example, the following four URLs
return a single page:
http://www.mysite.com/index.jsp
http://www.mysite.com
http://mysite.com/index.jsp
http://mysite.com/
If the pageName is left blank, each of these page names would occupy a separate entry in reports.
Some pages (such as forms) post to themselves, thereby erasing any distinction between the original form and
the resulting output.
Testing and Validation 277
When your page is translated into another language by search engines or other online tools, the URL of the page
is the URL of the search engine (not the URL of your site).
HTML (document.title)
If you have invested time into making your HTML titles readable and intuitive, you might consider using the same
title as the value in the pageName variable. Adobe recommends using a server-side variable to populate the
pageName rather than using JavaScript's document.title. Some browsers interpret the HTML title differently
than others, which may cause Analytics to receive different page names from different browsers.
The best practice for using the HTML title is to copy the existing titles for each page into a separate variable or
content management element. When you decide to make changes to the HTML title for search engine optimization
or other purposes, the Analytics page names are not affected. If a page name changes in Analytics, it becomes a
new page and is not connected with the old page name, regardless of the associated URL.
Variable Length
The length of Analytics variables can impact the size of the HTML code snippet, JavaScript library file, and image
request.
If a customer has many variables that are long (60 characters or more) the values can be replaced with shorter
identifiers. Data classifications or VISTA rules can be used to translate the identifiers to friendly names.
Note: Most Analytics variables have a maximum of 100 characters (eVars have a maximum of 255). Internet
Explorer allows an overall maximum of 2,048 characters in a GET image request URL. The image request
limit applies not only to the variables, but also to information about the browser, operating system, and browser
plug-ins (Netscape/Mozilla only).
Caching Directives
The JavaScript library file is intended to be cached in the user's browser after the first time the user loads a page.
Adobe customers should ensure that their Web servers are set up to take advantage of this functionality. For example,
make sure that the NO-CACHE setting is set to false. Additionally, ensure that the expiration date is sufficiently long.
Make sure any proxy caches are set up with the correct configuration. The customer's Web server documentation
provides more information.
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Tables
Many Web browsers do not start displaying the contents of a table until the browser has compiled the entire table.
If the entire contents of the page are inside one big table, the browser must compile the entire contents of the page
before anything is displayed.
Placing the call to the JavaScript library file outside table tags ensures that the call to the Analytics servers does not
impact the displaying of the page content.
Note: The file should be placed in a legal position for images and must appear between the opening <body>
tag and the closing </body> tag.
File Compression
Customers can compress the JavaScript library file by using standards-based encoding (such as gzip).
Typical compression algorithms can reduce the size of the JavaScript file by 40-60% or more.
Note: Not all browsers support all file compression standards or interpret the compressed files in the same
manner. Adobe does not guarantee reliable file compression in all environments. Customers should test
compression in their supported browsers and configurations before deploying.
Secure Pages
Secure pages (pages loaded under https://) encrypt the image request and add to the total download time.
Secure pages can add as much as 50-75% overhead to the image request. Customers should ensure that https is
used only where necessary.
Your AppMeasurement for JavaScript library file can be delivered via a CDN to enhance performance and delivery
of the file to the site visitor. Adobe customers need to ensure they have configured their CDN services correctly.
CDNs are a common reason for fluctuations in download times and should be considered the most probable cause
for any changes in download times.
Because most Web browsers download elements concurrently, the Status Bar of many common browsers (including
Internet Explorer) does not accurately reflect which element the browser is trying to load. For example, your Status
Bar may report that your browser is waiting for image 1 to download. The network packet tests show your browser
has already received image 1 and is currently waiting for image 2.
Note: Because third-party Internet Performance Audit providers (such as Keynote Systems) download page
image elements sequentially, not concurrently, they do not mimic the typical user experience.
Peering
Private Network Peering enables data to pass from an ISP's network to the Analytics network more efficiently.
Peering is simply the agreement to interconnect and exchange routing information without the need of the public
network. Please contact Adobe Engineering if an ISP is interested in establishing a peering relationship.
Although peering may provide some benefits to Adobe ISP customers, optimizing the HTML snippet and the Web
servers caching directives likely have a much greater impact. High-volume ISP customers realize the most benefit
from peering.
The tables below display the report to variable mapping, or the reports and the variables that are used in them.
Conversion Reports
The following table lists the conversion variables that are used to populate each report:
Purchases
Conversions and Averages s.events, s.products, s.purchaseID Set s.events to purchase, product
detail, order number
Revenue s.events, s.products, s.purchaseID Set s.events to purchase, product
detail, order number
Orders s.events, s.products, s.purchaseID Set s.events to purchase, product
detail, order number
Units s.events, s.products, s.purchaseID Set s.events to purchase, product
detail, order number
Shopping Cart
Conversions and Averages s.events, s.products, s.purchaseID
Cart s.events Set s.events to scOpen
Cart Views s.events Set s.events to scView
Cart Additions s.events Set s.events to scAdd
Cart Removals s.events Set s.events to scRemove
Checkouts s.events Set s.events to scCheckout
Testing and Validation 280
Custom Events
Custom Event 1 s.events Populate with event1 - event100
Populate with event1 - event100
Custom Event 100 s.events Populate with event1 - event100
Products
Conversions and Averages s.events, s.products, s.purchaseID
Products s.products, s.events May vary depending on right column
metrics
Cross Sell s.products, s.events, s.purchaseID May vary depending on right column
metrics
Categories s.products May vary depending on right column
metrics
Campaigns
Conversions and Averages s.products, s.events, s.campaign
Tracking Code s.campaign
Creative Elements N/A Defined in Analytics
Campaigns N/A Defined in Analytics
Customer Loyalty
Customer Loyalty s.products, s.events, s.purchaseID Variables set on the Order
Confirmation (Thank You!) page
Sales Cycle
Days Before First Purchase s.products, s.events, s.purchaseID Variables set on the Order
Confirmation (Thank You!) page
Days Since Last Purchase s.products, s.events, s.purchaseID Variables set on the Order
Confirmation (Thank You!) page
Visit Number s.products, s.events, s.purchaseID Variables set on the Order
Confirmation (Thank You!) page
Daily Unique Customers s.products, s.events, s.purchaseID Variables set on the Order
Confirmation (Thank You!) page
Monthly Unique Customers s.products, s.events, s.purchaseID Variables set on the Order
Confirmation (Thank You!) page
Yearly Unique Customers s.products, s.events, s.purchaseID Variables set on the Order
Confirmation (Thank You!) page
Finding Methods
Referring Domains N/A Automatically set by the .JS file
Original Referring Domains N/A Automatically set by the .JS file
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Finding Methods
Search Engines N/A Automatically set by the .JS file
Search Keywords N/A Automatically set by the .JS file
Visitor Profile
Top Level Domains N/A Automatically set by the .JS file
Languages N/A Automatically set by the .JS file
Time Zones N/A Automatically set by the .JS file
States s.state Variable set on the Order
Confirmation (Thank You!) page
Zip/Postal Codes s.zip Variable set on the Order
Confirmation (Thank You!) page
Domains N/A Automatically set by the .JS file
Technology
Browsers N/A Automatically set by the .JS file
Operating Systems N/A Automatically set by the .JS file
Monitor Resolutions N/A Automatically set by the .JS file
Site Path
Page Value s.pageName, s.products, s.events,
s.purchaseID
Entry Pages s.pageName
Original Entry Pages s.pageName
Pages Per Visit N/A Calculated by business rules in
Analytics
Time Spent on Site N/A Calculated by business rules in
Analytics
Site Sections s.channel Same as Channel report in Traffic
reports section
Customer Variables
Custom eVar 1 s.eVar 1
Custom eVar 2 s.eVar 2
Custom eVar 3 s.eVar 3
Traffic Reports
The following table lists the traffic variables that are used to populate each report:
Testing and Validation 282
Calculated Metrics
N/A N/A N/A
Site Traffic
Page Views N/A Calculated by business rules in
Analytics
Hourly Unique Visitors N/A Calculated by business rules in
Analytics
Daily Unique Visitors N/A Calculated by business rules in
Analytics
Monthly Unique Visitors N/A Calculated by business rules in
Analytics
Yearly Unique Visitors N/A Calculated by business rules in
Analytics
Visits N/A Calculated by business rules in
Analytics
File Downloads N/A Automatically tracked by .JS file
(depends on .JS variable settings)
Finding Methods
Referring Domains N/A Automatically set by the .JS file
Referrers N/A Automatically set by the .JS file
Search Engines N/A Automatically set by the .JS file
Search Keywords N/A Automatically set by the .JS file
Return Frequency N/A Calculated by business rules in
Analytics
Daily Return Visits N/A Calculated by business rules in
Analytics
Return Visits N/A Calculated by business rules in
Analytics
Visit Numbers N/A Calculated by business rules in
Analytics
Visitor Profile
Domains N/A Automatically set by the .JS file
Top Level Domains N/A Automatically set by the .JS file
Languages N/A Automatically set by the .JS file
Time Zones N/A Automatically set by the .JS file
Visitor Details N/A Automatically set by the .JS file
Last 100 Visitors N/A Calculated by business rules in
Analytics
Testing and Validation 283
Visitor Profile
User Home Page N/A Automatically set by the .JS file
Key Visitors N/A Based on visitor's IP address
Pages Viewed by Key Visitors N/A Based on visitor's IP address
Geo Segmentation
Countries N/A Based on visitor's IP address
U.S. States N/A Based on visitor's IP address
DMA N/A Based on visitor's IP address
International Cities N/A Based on visitor's IP address
U.S. Cities N/A Based on visitor's IP address
Technology
Browser Types N/A Automatically set by the .JS file
Browsers N/A Automatically set by the .JS file
Mobile Devices N/A Automatically set by the .JS file
Browser Width N/A Automatically set by the .JS file
Browser Height N/A Automatically set by the .JS file
Operating Systems N/A Automatically set by the .JS file
Monitor Color Depth N/A Automatically set by the .JS file
Monitor Resolutions N/A Automatically set by the .JS file
Netscape Plug-ins N/A Automatically set by the .JS file
Java N/A Automatically set by the .JS file
JavaScript N/A Automatically set by the .JS file
JavaScript Version N/A Automatically set by the .JS file
Cookies N/A Automatically set by the .JS file
Connection Types N/A Automatically set by the .JS file
Segmentation
Segmentation
Most Popular Pages s.pageName
Most Popular Site Sections s.channel
Most Popular Servers s.server
Custom Insight
Custom Links s.linkName Requires custom implementation
Custom Insight 1 s.prop1
Testing and Validation 284
Custom Insight
Custom Insight 75 s.prop75
Hierarchies
Hierarchy 1 s.hier1
Hierarchy 5 s.hier5
Pathing Reports
The following table lists the pathing variables that are used to populate each report within Analytics:
Pages
Page Summary s.pageName (or other pathed Also depends on internal business
variable) rules
Page Value s.pageName (or other pathed Also depends on internal business
variable) rules
Most Popular Pages s.pageName (or other pathed Also depends on internal business
variable) rules
Reloads s.pageName (or other pathed Also depends on internal business
variable) rules
Clicks to Page s.pageName (or other pathed Also depends on internal business
variable) rules
Time Spent on Page s.pageName (or other pathed Also depends on internal business
variable) rules
Pages Not Found s.pageName (or other pathed Also depends on internal business
variable) rules
Complete Paths
Full Paths s.pageName (or other pathed Also depends on internal business
variable) rules
Longest Paths s.pageName (or other pathed Also depends on internal business
variable) rules
Testing and Validation 285
Complete Paths
Path Length s.pageName (or other pathed Also depends on internal business
variable) rules
Time Spent per Visit s.pageName (or other pathed Also depends on internal business
variable) rules
Single-page Visits s.pageName (or other pathed Also depends on internal business
variable) rules
Advanced Analysis
Previous Page s.pageName (or other pathed Also depends on internal business
variable) rules
Next Page s.pageName (or other pathed Also depends on internal business
variable) rules
Previous Page Flow s.pageName (or other pathed Also depends on internal business
variable) rules
Next Page Flow s.pageName (or other pathed Also depends on internal business
variable) rules
PathFinder s.pageName (or other pathed Also depends on internal business
variable) rules
Fall-out s.pageName (or other pathed Also depends on internal business
variable) rules
The table below displays variable to report mapping for the variables used to populate Analytics reports.
Each variable is listed with the reports that use the variable listed next to it.
Traffic Reports > Visitor Profile > Pages Viewed by Key Visitors
Path Reports > Complete Paths > Time Spent per Visit
NOTE: In all of the Traffic Reports listed above, with the exception of the
Most Popular Pages Report, if the s.pageName variable is not set, the URL
is used.
s.prop1 - s.prop20 Traffic Reports > Custom Insight > Custom Insight 1-20
s.campaign
Conversion Reports > Campaigns > Conversion & Averages
Conversion Reports > Sales Cycle > Days Before First Purchase
Conversion Reports > Sales Cycle > Days Since Last Purchase
s.products
Conversion Reports > Purchases > Conversion & Averages
Conversion Reports > Sales Cycle > Days Before First Purchase
Conversion Reports > Sales Cycle > Days Since Last Purchase
s.purchaseID
Conversion Reports > Purchases > Conversion & Averages
Conversion Reports > Purchases > Revenue
Conversion Reports > Sales Cycle > Days Before First Purchase
Conversion Reports > Sales Cycle > Days Since Last Purchase
s.eVar1 - s.eVar20 Conversion Reports > Custom Variables > Customer eVar 1-20
s.linkName Traffic Reports > Custom Insight > Custom Links
s.hier1 - s.hier5 Traffic Reports > Hierarchies > Hierarchy 1-5
Documentation Revivision History 289
March 14, 2017 Reorganized first section to create a more useful landing page.
September 16, Added section, reorganized guide, improved search metatags, and added links to Analytics
2016 basic information.
April 4 2016 Updated List Variables with information about a new limit of 250 for maximum values.
Added .
February 24 2016
17 September 2015
Added .
16 July 2015
Important deprecation information about Adobe Tag Management.
26 June 2015
Updated the opt-out link process with instructions for branding the opt-out experience.
22 May, 2014 s_code version H.27 was released to provide support for the Visitor ID service and the Analytics
for Target integration in the legacy AppMeasurement library.
17 April, 2014
Support for the Analytics for Target integration.
Updated the to indicate that the manageVars, channelManager, getPageName, and Cookie
Combining Utility are tested and verified as compatible.
20 November, 2013
Added support for the Visitor ID service.
14 November, 2013
Updated .
14 November, 2013
Added .
Documentation Revivision History 290
Date Description
15 August, 2013
Added the plugin. This plugin gets the page load time in tenths of a second and lets you store
the value in a prop, eVar, and/or a numeric event.
07 June, 2013 Updated to indicate that transactionIDs should contain alphanumeric characters, and that
multiple transactionIDs should be comma-delimited.
23 May, 2013 Added information on the new desktop and mobile tracking library, .
14 May, 2013
Added to describe the request and response headers that are used during data collection.
29 April, 2013
In H.26, the useForcedLinkTracking option that is described in now applies to Firefox 20+
(previously this applied to WebKit browsers only).
18 April, 2013
tag management 2.0 is now available and is enabled for all Analytics customers.
Single image requests can now contain a 64-bit numeric or currency event values. This
removes the previous limits of 2,147,483,648 for numeric and currency events, and
2,000,000,000 for counter events.
12 March, 2013
Added details on decimal values in Currency/Numeric Events that are in the events list to .
28 February, 2013 Added details on how custom links affect Time Spent metrics to .
21 February, 2013 Added scope limitations for the useForcedLinkTracking option to .
Updated to indicate that the size is no longer limited to 256 bytes.
30 August, 2012
Added several additional topics that were previously distributed as white papers:
19 July, 2012
Added information on custom link tracking on WebKit browsers introduced in H.25, including
details on the overloaded s.tl() method. See .
Documentation Revivision History 291
Date Description
20 April, 2012
The dc variable is deprecated. You should set trackingServer for all implementations to the
value that is generated by Code Manager in s_code.js.
Added documentation stating that a single image request cannot contain a numeric or currency
event higher than 2,147,483,648, or a counter event higher than 2,000,000,000. Note that
this behavior has not changed, the limits are being documented for clarification.
6 March, 2012
Added a note to linkInternalFilters stating that you should periodically review partner
contracts to determine if they contain restrictions on link tracking. For example, you might be
prohibited from tracking links that appear in partner display ads.
7 October, 2012
Added .
Contact and Legal Information 292
Feedback
We welcome any suggestions or feedback regarding this solution. Enhancement ideas and suggestions for the
Analytics suite can be added to our Customer Idea Exchange.
Legal
2015 Adobe Systems Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.
Published by Adobe Systems Incorporated.
Adobe and the Adobe logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the
United States and/or other countries. A trademark symbol (, , etc.) denotes an Adobe trademark.
All third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Updated Information/Additional Third Party
Code Information available at http://www.adobe.com/go/thirdparty.