WordPress Event Tracking

Intermediate https://datalayer-tracker.com/knowledge-base/complete-event-reference/
Last updated: October 27, 2025 Advanced Topics Custom Events Event Queue Event Queue System First Event Getting Started

The Complete WordPress Event Tracking Reference

This comprehensive guide documents all 45+ tracking events available in Advanced DataLayer Tracker, providing complete tracking event documentation for WordPress analytics events. Whether you’re implementing custom event tracking for unique business needs, setting up ecommerce event tracking for WooCommerce stores, or configuring form tracking events to capture lead data, this reference covers every event type with detailed event parameters and real-world examples.

WordPress event tracking events dashboard showing 45+ tracking events.

From core engagement events like scroll depth and active time to advanced session tracking events that measure user journey quality, each event integrates seamlessly with the WordPress datalayer for GTM event tracking and GA4 events WordPress implementations. Use this guide to master conversion tracking WordPress sites require, understand how each event fires, and leverage the full power of enterprise-grade analytics without writing a single line of code.

Why WordPress Event Tracking Matters

WordPress event tracking transforms raw website interactions into actionable analytics data. Unlike basic page view tracking, comprehensive WordPress event tracking captures engagement signals, conversion events, and user intent across your entire site. Whether you’re running a content site, ecommerce store, or lead generation platform, implementing proper WordPress event tracking is essential for understanding user behavior and optimizing conversion rates.

The Advanced DataLayer Tracker plugin makes WordPress event tracking accessible to everyone—no coding required. With automatic event detection, server-side tracking capabilities, and GTM integration, you can implement enterprise-grade WordPress event tracking in minutes instead of weeks. This comprehensive approach to WordPress event tracking ensures you’re capturing every critical user interaction without gaps in your data.

Modern WordPress event tracking goes beyond simple page views. It includes engagement metrics like scroll depth and active time, conversion events like form submissions and purchases, and session-level summaries that aggregate behavior across multiple pages. This complete WordPress event tracking foundation enables accurate attribution, conversion optimization, and data-driven decision making.

Getting Started with WordPress Event Tracking

Setting up WordPress event tracking with Advanced DataLayer Tracker is straightforward. Once installed, the plugin automatically begins tracking 45+ events without any configuration. Each WordPress event tracking implementation follows industry best practices and integrates seamlessly with Google Tag Manager and GA4.

New to WordPress event tracking? Start with these foundational steps:

  • Install Advanced DataLayer Tracker – Get the plugin from WordPress.org or install directly from your admin panel
  • Verify Core Events – Confirm the page_view event is firing correctly using the Debug Overlay
  • Configure GTM Integration – Export your pre-built container and import it to Google Tag Manager
  • Enable Feature-Specific Tracking – Turn on WordPress event tracking for forms, video, ecommerce as needed
  • Test Your Implementation – Use the Debug Overlay to validate all events are firing correctly

This WordPress event tracking setup process typically takes 15 minutes or less. Unlike manual implementations that require weeks of developer time, Advanced DataLayer Tracker provides production-ready WordPress event tracking immediately.

Core WordPress Event Tracking

WordPress core event tracking begins with two foundational events that establish the baseline for all analytics data. These core events fire on every page and provide essential context for all subsequent tracking.

1. page_view

Event Name: page_view
Fires: Immediately on every page load
Frequency: Once per page

Description: The foundation event that fires on every page load with comprehensive page context and user session data. See our First Successful Event Guide to verify it’s working correctly.

Parameters:

ParameterTypeDescriptionExample
page_titlestringPage title'About Us'
page_locationstringFull URL'https://example.com/about'
page_referrerstringPrevious page'https://google.com'
session_idstringUnique session ID'sess_abc123'
session_numbernumberSession count for user3
page_typestringWordPress page type'page', 'post', 'product'
logged_inbooleanUser login statustrue

Example DataLayer Push:

{
  event: 'page_view',
  page_title: 'About Us - Company Name',
  page_location: 'https://example.com/about',
  page_referrer: 'https://google.com',
  session_id: 'sess_abc123_1234567890',
  session_number: 1,
  page_type: 'page',
  logged_in: false
}

2. session_engagement_milestone

Event Name: session_engagement_milestone
Fires: When user crosses engagement thresholds
Frequency: Multiple times per session (at milestones)

Description: Tracks when users reach significant engagement levels during their session.

Milestone Thresholds:

  • 30 seconds active time
  • 60 seconds active time
  • 120 seconds active time
  • 3+ pages viewed
  • 5+ pages viewed

Parameters:

ParameterTypeDescriptionExample
milestone_typestringType of milestone reached'active_time_30', 'pages_3'
session_idstringSession identifier'sess_abc123'
active_timenumberTotal active seconds35
page_viewsnumberPages viewed this session4

Engagement Event Tracking

Effective WordPress event engagement tracking requires understanding how users engage with your content. These engagement events measure true user interaction beyond simple page views, capturing scroll behavior, active time, and intent signals that indicate genuine interest.

For a deep dive into measuring true user engagement, read our complete Engagement Tracking Guide

3. scroll_depth

Event Name: scroll_depth (also scroll_25, scroll_50, scroll_75, scroll_100)
Fires: At scroll milestones
Frequency: Up to 4 times per page

Description: Tracks how far users scroll down the page at key milestones.

Parameters:

ParameterTypeDescriptionExample
percent_scrollednumberScroll depth percentage25, 50, 75, 100
page_heightnumberTotal page height3200
viewport_heightnumberVisible screen height800
session_idstringSession identifier'sess_abc123'

Example:

{
  event: 'scroll_depth',
  percent_scrolled: 75,
  page_height: 3200,
  viewport_height: 800,
  session_id: 'sess_abc123'
}

4. scroll_back_up

Event Name: scroll_back_up
Fires: When user scrolls back up significantly
Frequency: Multiple times per page

Description: Detects when users scroll back up to re-read content, indicating confusion, hesitation, or high engagement with specific sections.

Parameters:

ParameterTypeDescriptionExample
scroll_directionstringDirection of scroll'up'
scroll_amountnumberPixels scrolled up450
current_positionnumberCurrent scroll position1200
session_idstringSession identifier'sess_abc123'

5. time_on_page

Event Name: time_on_page
Fires: Every 30 seconds
Frequency: Multiple times per page

Description: Tracks elapsed time on page including background time (tab not focused).

Parameters:

ParameterTypeDescriptionExample
time_secondsnumberCumulative seconds on page30, 60, 90…
page_visiblebooleanTab currently visibletrue
session_idstringSession identifier'sess_abc123'

6. active_time

Event Name: active_time
Fires: Every 30 seconds
Frequency: Multiple times per page

Description: Most Important Engagement Metric – Tracks only the time users are actively interacting (mouse movement, scrolling, typing, clicking). This is the gold standard for measuring true engagement.

Parameters:

ParameterTypeDescriptionExample
active_secondsnumberCumulative active time28, 57, 83…
page_visiblebooleanTab currently visibletrue
interaction_ratenumber% of time active0.93
session_idstringSession identifier'sess_abc123'

Why It Matters:

  • Filters out idle/background time
  • True engagement indicator
  • Quality traffic measurement
  • Lead scoring foundation

7. focus_blur

Event Name: focus_blur
Fires: When tab focus changes
Frequency: Multiple times per session

Description: Detects when users switch tabs or windows, helping understand multi-tasking behavior.

Parameters:

ParameterTypeDescriptionExample
visibility_statestringTab state'visible', 'hidden'
time_awaynumberSeconds tab was hidden45
session_idstringSession identifier'sess_abc123'

8. hover_intent

Event Name: hover_intent
Fires: When user hovers over interactive elements
Frequency: Multiple times per page

Description: Detects meaningful hover behavior (500ms+) over buttons, CTAs, and links.

Parameters:

ParameterTypeDescriptionExample
element_textstringText of element'Request Demo'
element_typestringElement type'button', 'link'
hover_durationnumberHover time in ms750
element_classesstringCSS classes'btn-primary cta'
session_idstringSession identifier'sess_abc123'

Content Intelligence Events

Premium Feature

9. content_intelligence

Event Name: content_intelligence
Fires: Shortly after page load
Frequency: Once per page

Description: Automatically detects content type and analyzes page structure without manual tagging.

Auto-Detected Content Types:

  • homepage
  • product_page
  • blog_post
  • landing_page
  • pricing_page
  • about_page
  • contact_page
  • documentation
  • checkout
  • cart

Parameters:

ParameterTypeDescriptionExample
content_typestringDetected content type'product_page'
engagement_scorenumberPredicted engagement score78
content_lengthnumberContent word count1450
has_videobooleanVideo presenttrue
has_formsbooleanForms presenttrue
section_countnumberNumber of sections7
session_idstringSession identifier'sess_abc123'

10. section_engagement

Event Name: section_engagement
Fires: When user dwells on a section
Frequency: Multiple times per page

Description: Tracks which page sections users spend time in (3+ seconds of dwell time).

Markup Required:

<section data-adt-section="hero" data-adt-section-title="Hero Section">
  <!-- Your content -->
</section>

Parameters:

ParameterTypeDescriptionExample
section_idstringSection identifier'hero'
section_titlestringHuman-readable title'Hero Section'
dwell_timenumberTime spent in section12
scroll_depthnumberHow far they scrolled85
session_idstringSession identifier'sess_abc123'

11. last_engaged_section

Event Name: last_engaged_section
Fires: On page exit
Frequency: Once per page

Description: Records which section the user was last engaged with before leaving or tabbing away.

Parameters:

ParameterTypeDescriptionExample
section_idstringLast section ID'pricing'
section_titlestringSection name'Pricing Plans'
total_time_in_sectionnumberTotal dwell time23
session_idstringSession identifier'sess_abc123'

12. last_content_type_viewed

Event Name: last_content_type_viewed
Fires: On page exit
Frequency: Once per page

Description: Records the content type of the last page viewed before exit.

Parameters:

ParameterTypeDescriptionExample
content_typestringContent type'pricing_page'
session_idstringSession identifier'sess_abc123'

13. cta_exposure

Event Name: cta_exposure
Fires: When CTA enters viewport
Frequency: Once per CTA per page

Description: Tracks when call-to-action elements become visible to users.

Markup Required:

<button data-adt-cta="Request Demo" data-adt-cta-position="hero">
  Request Demo
</button>

Parameters:

ParameterTypeDescriptionExample
cta_textstringCTA button text'Request Demo'
cta_positionstringPosition on page'hero', 'footer'
time_to_exposurenumberSeconds until visible3.2
scroll_depth_at_exposurenumberScroll % when visible25
session_idstringSession identifier'sess_abc123'

Form Event Tracking

WordPress event tracking for forms is critical for conversion optimization. These events capture the complete form interaction lifecycle, from initial engagement to submission, enabling detailed analysis of form performance and abandonment patterns.

14. form_start

Event Name: form_start
Fires: When user focuses first field
Frequency: Once per form per page

Description: Indicates user intent to complete a form.

Auto-Detected Form Platforms:

  • Gravity Forms
  • Contact Form 7
  • WPForms
  • Formidable Forms
  • Marketo (Premium)
  • HubSpot (Premium)
  • Pardot (Premium)
  • Generic HTML forms

Parameters:

ParameterTypeDescriptionExample
form_idstringForm identifier'contact-form'
form_namestringForm name'Contact Us'
form_vendorstringDetected platform'gravity_forms'
field_countnumberNumber of fields7
session_idstringSession identifier'sess_abc123'

15. form_submit

Event Name: form_submit
Fires: When form is submitted
Frequency: Once per form submission

Description: The ultimate conversion event for forms.

Parameters:

ParameterTypeDescriptionExample
form_idstringForm identifier'contact-form'
form_namestringForm name'Contact Us'
form_vendorstringDetected platform'gravity_forms'
completion_timenumberSeconds to complete47
field_countnumberNumber of fields7
session_idstringSession identifier'sess_abc123'

16. form_field_interaction

Event Name: form_field_interaction
Fires: On field blur after interaction
Frequency: Multiple per form

Description: Tracks individual field interactions to identify friction points.

Parameters:

ParameterTypeDescriptionExample
form_idstringForm identifier'lead-form'
field_idstringField identifier'email'
field_typestringInput type'email'
field_namestringField name'user_email'
interaction_timenumberTime in field (seconds)8
total_interactionsnumberFocus/blur count3
field_value_lengthnumberCharacters entered24
session_idstringSession identifier'sess_abc123'

Use Case: Identify which form fields cause users to hesitate or abandon.

17. field_interaction

Event Name: field_interaction
Fires: On focus, blur, or change
Frequency: Multiple per field

Description: Granular field-level event tracking.

Parameters:

ParameterTypeDescriptionExample
form_idstringForm identifier'lead-form'
field_idstringField identifier'email'
field_typestringInput type'email'
interaction_typestringEvent type'focus', 'blur', 'change'
session_idstringSession identifier'sess_abc123'

Video Event Tracking

Video engagement is a key component of modern WordPress event tracking. These events measure how users interact with your video content across multiple platforms including YouTube, Vimeo, Wistia, and HTML5 video players.

18. video_start

Event Name: video_start
Fires: When video begins playing
Frequency: Once per video per page

Description: Tracks video engagement across multiple platforms.

Supported Platforms:

  • HTML5 (<video> tags)
  • YouTube (iframe embeds)
  • Vimeo (Player API)
  • Wistia (embed codes)

Parameters:

ParameterTypeDescriptionExample
video_titlestringVideo title'Product Demo'
video_urlstringVideo source'https://youtube.com/watch?v=xxx'
video_providerstringPlatform'youtube', 'vimeo', 'html5'
video_durationnumberLength in seconds180
video_idstringVideo identifier'demo-2024'
session_idstringSession identifier'sess_abc123'

HTML5 Markup:

<video 
  data-adt-video-title="Product Demo" 
  data-adt-video-id="demo-2024"
  controls>
  <source src="demo.mp4" type="video/mp4">
</video>

19. video_progress

Event Name: video_progress
Fires: At viewing milestones
Frequency: Up to 6 times per video

Description: Tracks how much of each video users actually watch.

Milestones:

  • 0% (start)
  • 25%
  • 50%
  • 75%
  • 90%
  • 100% (completion)

Parameters:

ParameterTypeDescriptionExample
video_titlestringVideo title'Product Demo'
video_percentnumberProgress milestone75
video_current_timenumberPlayback position (sec)135
video_durationnumberTotal length (sec)180
video_providerstringPlatform'youtube'
session_idstringSession identifier'sess_abc123'

20. video_complete

Event Name: video_complete
Fires: When video reaches 100%
Frequency: Once per video per page

Description: Indicates user watched entire video. Same parameters as video_progress with video_percent: 100.

21. video_pause

Event Name: video_pause
Fires: When user pauses video
Frequency: Multiple times per video

Description: Tracks pause behavior to understand drop-off points or moment of high interest.

Parameters:

ParameterTypeDescriptionExample
video_titlestringVideo title'Product Demo'
video_current_timenumberWhen paused (sec)67
video_percentnumberPercent watched37
session_idstringSession identifier'sess_abc123'

Ecommerce Event Tracking

Premium Feature – WooCommerce

WooCommerce WordPress event tracking follows the GA4 ecommerce standard, providing complete purchase funnel visibility. These events track every step from product view to purchase completion, enabling detailed conversion analysis and revenue attribution.

22. view_item

Event Name: view_item
Fires: On product page load
Frequency: Once per product view

Description: Tracks product page views.

Parameters:

{
  event: 'view_item',
  ecommerce: {
    currency: 'USD',
    value: 49.99,
    items: [{
      item_id: 'SKU-12345',
      item_name: 'Wireless Mouse',
      item_brand: 'TechBrand',
      item_category: 'Electronics',
      item_category2: 'Accessories',
      item_variant: 'Black',
      price: 49.99,
      quantity: 1
    }]
  }
}

23. view_cart

Event Name: view_cart
Fires: On cart page load
Frequency: Once per cart view

Description: Tracks when users view their shopping cart.

Parameters:

{
  event: 'view_cart',
  ecommerce: {
    currency: 'USD',
    value: 149.97,
    items: [
      { item_id: 'SKU-001', item_name: 'Mouse', price: 49.99, quantity: 1 },
      { item_id: 'SKU-002', item_name: 'Keyboard', price: 99.98, quantity: 2 }
    ]
  }
}

24. add_to_cart

Event Name: add_to_cart
Fires: When item added to cart
Frequency: Once per add action

Description: Critical conversion funnel event.

Parameters:

{
  event: 'add_to_cart',
  ecommerce: {
    currency: 'USD',
    value: 49.99,
    items: [{
      item_id: 'SKU-12345',
      item_name: 'Wireless Mouse',
      price: 49.99,
      quantity: 1
    }]
  }
}

25. remove_from_cart

Event Name: remove_from_cart
Fires: When item removed from cart
Frequency: Once per remove action

Description: Indicates product friction or price sensitivity.

Parameters: Same structure as add_to_cart

26. begin_checkout

Event Name: begin_checkout
Fires: On checkout page load
Frequency: Once per checkout initiation

Description: User has committed to purchasing.

Parameters:

{
  event: 'begin_checkout',
  ecommerce: {
    currency: 'USD',
    value: 149.97,
    items: [/* cart items */]
  }
}

27. checkout_progress

Event Name: checkout_progress
Fires: At each checkout step
Frequency: Multiple per checkout

Description: Tracks progress through multi-step checkout.

Checkout Steps:

  1. Cart Review
  2. Shipping Information
  3. Payment Information
  4. Order Review

Parameters:

{
  event: 'checkout_progress',
  ecommerce: {
    checkout_step: 2,
    checkout_option: 'shipping_method',
    value: 149.97,
    items: [/* cart items */]
  }
}

28. purchase

Event Name: purchase
Fires: On thank you page
Frequency: Once per completed transaction

Description: The ultimate ecommerce conversion event.

Parameters:

{
  event: 'purchase',
  ecommerce: {
    transaction_id: 'ORDER-12345',
    affiliation: 'Online Store',
    value: 164.96,
    tax: 14.99,
    shipping: 0.00,
    currency: 'USD',
    coupon: 'SAVE15',
    items: [{
      item_id: 'SKU-12345',
      item_name: 'Wireless Mouse',
      price: 49.99,
      quantity: 1,
      item_brand: 'TechBrand',
      item_category: 'Electronics'
    }]
  }
}

Related: Track conversions accurately with our Pixel Manager.

Session Summary Event Tracking

Premium Feature

Advanced WordPress event tracking includes session-level summaries that aggregate user behavior across multiple pages. These powerful events fire once per session on exit, providing comprehensive metrics about the entire user journey.

These events fire once per session on exit (tab close, navigation away, or timeout) and aggregate data from all pages in the session.

Key Feature: Cross-page persistence – summaries fire even if the final page doesn’t have tracking enabled for that specific feature.

Session summaries are powered by our Session Manager. Learn more in the Session Management Guide.

29. session_engagement_summary

Event Name: session_engagement_summary
Fires: On session exit
Frequency: Once per session

Description: Comprehensive engagement metrics rolled up across all pages.

Parameters:

ParameterTypeDescriptionExample
session_idstringSession identifier'sess_abc123'
total_active_timenumberActive seconds267
total_time_on_sitenumberElapsed seconds412
engagement_ratenumberActive/elapsed ratio0.65
page_viewsnumberPages viewed7
max_scroll_depthnumberDeepest scroll85
pages_scrolled_75numberPages scrolled 75%+4
page_quality_scorenumberEngagement quality (0-100)73
scroll_back_upsnumberRe-read events3
hover_intentsnumberCTA hovers5

Quality Score Formula:

quality_score = (
  (active_time_weight * normalized_active_time) +
  (scroll_weight * normalized_scroll) +
  (page_views_weight * normalized_pages) +
  (intent_signals_weight * intent_score)
) * 100

Use Cases:

  • Audience segmentation by quality
  • Lead scoring
  • Campaign performance
  • Bot detection (low quality scores)

30. session_content_summary

Event Name: session_content_summary
Fires: On session exit
Frequency: Once per session

Description: Aggregates content intelligence data across pages.

Parameters:

ParameterTypeDescriptionExample
session_idstringSession identifier'sess_abc123'
content_types_viewedstringComma-separated list'homepage,product,pricing'
primary_content_typestringMost viewed type'product_page'
sections_engagednumberUnique sections12
top_sectionstringMost engaged section'pricing-enterprise'
total_section_timenumberSection dwell time87

31. session_attribution_summary

Event Name: session_attribution_summary
Fires: On session exit
Frequency: Once per session

Description: Multi-touch attribution data for the session.

Parameters:

ParameterTypeDescriptionExample
session_idstringSession identifier'sess_abc123'
first_touch_sourcestringInitial source'google'
first_touch_mediumstringInitial medium'cpc'
first_touch_campaignstringInitial campaign'spring-sale'
last_touch_sourcestringMost recent source'email'
last_touch_mediumstringMost recent medium'newsletter'
last_touch_campaignstringMost recent campaign'product-update'
touch_pointsnumberAttribution events3
utm_parametersobjectAll captured UTMs{...}

32. session_page_summary

Event Name: session_page_summary
Fires: On session exit
Frequency: Once per session

Description: Context about the final page viewed.

Parameters:

ParameterTypeDescriptionExample
session_idstringSession identifier'sess_abc123'
final_page_typestringLast page type'pricing_page'
final_page_titlestringLast page title'Pricing Plans'
final_page_urlstringLast URL'/pricing'
exit_active_timenumberActive time on last page45

33. session_video_summary

Event Name: session_video_summary
Fires: On session exit
Frequency: Once per session

Description: Aggregated video engagement metrics.

Parameters:

ParameterTypeDescriptionExample
session_idstringSession identifier'sess_abc123'
videos_startednumberVideos played3
videos_completednumberVideos watched 100%1
video_completion_ratenumberCompletion ratio0.33
total_video_timenumberSeconds watched234
video_engagement_scorenumberQuality score (0-100)67
most_watched_videostringTop video'Product Demo'

Video Engagement Score Formula:

  • Starts: +10 points per video
  • 50% completion: +20 points
  • 100% completion: +40 points
  • Multiple videos: +15 bonus
  • Max: 100 points

34. session_commerce_summary

Event Name: session_commerce_summary
Fires: On session exit (WooCommerce sites)
Frequency: Once per session

Description: Ecommerce behavior summary for the session.

Parameters:

ParameterTypeDescriptionExample
session_idstringSession identifier'sess_abc123'
products_viewednumberProduct pages visited7
cart_addsnumberItems added to cart2
cart_removesnumberItems removed1
checkout_initiatedbooleanStarted checkouttrue
purchase_completedbooleanCompleted purchasefalse
session_revenuenumberRevenue if purchased0

Attribution Events

Premium Feature

35. utm_captured

Event Name: utm_captured
Fires: When UTM parameters detected
Frequency: Once per landing with UTMs

Description: Captures marketing attribution parameters on landing.

Parameters:

ParameterTypeDescriptionExample
utm_sourcestringTraffic source'google'
utm_mediumstringMarketing medium'cpc'
utm_campaignstringCampaign name'spring-sale-2024'
utm_termstringKeyword'wireless mouse'
utm_contentstringAd variant'ad-variant-a'
session_idstringSession identifier'sess_abc123'

Storage: UTMs are stored in cookies for 30 days for return visitor attribution.

36. utm_restored

Event Name: utm_restored
Fires: When stored UTMs retrieved
Frequency: Once per return visit

Description: Restores original attribution data for returning visitors.

Parameters: Same as utm_captured plus:

ParameterTypeDescriptionExample
days_since_capturenumberDays since first visit7
return_visit_numbernumberReturn visit count3

37. attribution_ping

Event Name: attribution_ping
Fires: Periodically during session
Frequency: Every 2 minutes

Description: Maintains attribution context throughout session.

Parameters:

ParameterTypeDescriptionExample
attribution_activebooleanAttribution trackedtrue
utm_sourcestringCurrent source'google'
session_idstringSession identifier'sess_abc123'

Consent Events

38. consent_loaded

Event Name: consent_loaded
Fires: When CMP finishes loading
Frequency: Once per page

Description: Indicates consent management platform is ready.

Parameters:

ParameterTypeDescriptionExample
cmp_detectedbooleanCMP foundtrue
cmp_vendorstringCMP name'cookieyes', 'complianz'
session_idstringSession identifier'sess_abc123'

39. consent_granted

Event Name: consent_granted
Fires: When user grants consent
Frequency: Once per consent action

Description: User has given consent for analytics tracking.

Parameters:

ParameterTypeDescriptionExample
consent_typesarrayGranted categories['analytics', 'marketing']
session_idstringSession identifier'sess_abc123'

40. consent_revoked

Event Name: consent_revoked
Fires: When user revokes consent
Frequency: Once per revoke action

Description: User has withdrawn consent.

Parameters:

ParameterTypeDescriptionExample
consent_typesarrayRevoked categories['analytics']
session_idstringSession identifier'sess_abc123'

41. consent_change

Event Name: consent_change
Fires: When consent state changes
Frequency: Multiple per session

Description: Generic consent change event.

Parameters:

ParameterTypeDescriptionExample
previous_statestringBefore change'denied'
new_statestringAfter change'granted'
consent_categorystringCategory changed'analytics'
session_idstringSession identifier'sess_abc123'

Click Events

42. click

Event Name: click
Fires: On link/button clicks
Frequency: Multiple per page

Description: Generic click tracking with context.

Parameters:

ParameterTypeDescriptionExample
link_textstringClicked element text'Learn More'
link_urlstringDestination URL'/products'
link_domainstringLink domain'example.com'
link_typestringLink classification'internal', 'outbound', 'download'
element_idstringElement ID'nav-products'
element_classesstringCSS classes'btn btn-primary'
session_idstringSession identifier'sess_abc123'

Event Firing Patterns

Immediate Events

Fire instantly on trigger:

  • page_view
  • form_start
  • form_submit
  • video_start
  • All ecommerce events
  • click

Milestone Events

Fire at specific thresholds:

  • scroll_depth (25%, 50%, 75%, 100%)
  • video_progress (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 90%, 100%)
  • session_engagement_milestone

Periodic Events

Fire on regular intervals:

  • active_time (every 30 seconds)
  • time_on_page (every 30 seconds)
  • attribution_ping (every 2 minutes)

Exit Events

Fire on session end:

  • All session_*_summary events
  • last_engaged_section
  • last_content_type_viewed

Two-Push Pattern

Important: ADT uses a “two-push” pattern for all events to ensure visibility in GTM Preview mode.

How It Works:

// Push 1: Parameters
window.dataLayer.push({
  video_title: 'Product Demo',
  video_provider: 'youtube',
  video_duration: 180
});

// Push 2: Event trigger
window.dataLayer.push({
  event: 'video_start'
});

This ensures GTM Preview can see all parameter values when the event fires.

Custom Event Tracking

Want to fire your own events? Use this pattern:

// From your theme or plugin
window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || [];
window.dataLayer.push({
  event: 'custom_event_name',
  custom_param1: 'value1',
  custom_param2: 'value2',
  session_id: window.ADTSession?.id() || null
});

Best Practices:

  • Use snake_case for event names
  • Include session_id when available
  • Add descriptive parameters
  • Document your custom events
  • Avoid conflicting with ADT event names

Learn more about dataLayer implementation from Google’s official documentation.

For GA4 event naming conventions, see Google’s recommended events guide.

Troubleshooting

Events Not Firing?

Check:

  1. Plugin activated?
  2. Feature enabled in settings?
  3. Consent granted (if using CMP)?
  4. Browser console errors?
  5. GTM container published?

Debug Commands:

// Check if ADT loaded
console.log('ADT Loaded:', window.ADTData);

// Check session manager
console.log('Session:', window.ADTSession?.id());

// Check dataLayer
console.log('DataLayer:', window.dataLayer);

// View all events
window.dataLayer.filter(e => e.event);

GTM Preview Not Showing Events?

  1. Clear browser cache
  2. Use incognito/private window
  3. Verify GTM container ID matches
  4. Check if events are blocked by consent
  5. Enable debug mode in ADT settings

Need help setting up Google Tag Manager? Follow our GTM Setup Guide for step-by-step instructions.

Use the <a href=”https://datalayer-tracker.com/knowledge-base/feature-carousel-breakdown/”>Debug Overlay</a> to see events firing in real-time.

Support

Plugin Settings: /wp-admin/admin.php?page=adt-settings
GTM Export: /wp-admin/admin.php?page=adt-settings&tab=gtm_export
Debug Overlay: Enable in Settings (Premium)

For additional help, consult the plugin documentation or contact support.

For advanced implementation, see our Server-Side Tracking Guide.

Version: 1.0
Last Updated: 2025
Total Events: 42+

WordPress Event Tracking FAQ

What is WordPress event tracking?

WordPress event tracking is the process of capturing and measuring user interactions on your WordPress site. This includes page views, clicks, form submissions, video engagement, ecommerce transactions, and dozens of other behavioral signals that help you understand how visitors use your site. Effective WordPress event tracking provides the data foundation for all analytics and optimization efforts.

Why do I need WordPress event tracking?

WordPress event tracking provides the data needed to make informed decisions about your website. Without proper event tracking, you’re missing critical insights about user behavior, conversion bottlenecks, and content performance. Comprehensive WordPress event tracking enables data-driven optimization, improved user experience, and better ROI on your marketing investments. It’s the difference between guessing and knowing what works.

How do I implement WordPress event tracking?

The easiest way to implement WordPress event tracking is with the Advanced DataLayer Tracker plugin. It automatically tracks 45+ events without requiring any code. Simply install the plugin, configure your GTM integration, and start collecting comprehensive event data immediately. This approach to WordPress event tracking eliminates the weeks of development time typically required for custom implementations.

What’s the difference between WordPress event tracking and Google Analytics?

WordPress event tracking is the foundation that feeds data into Google Analytics. While GA4 displays and analyzes data, WordPress event tracking captures the raw interaction events. Advanced DataLayer Tracker provides the event tracking layer that makes GA4 implementations accurate and comprehensive. Think of WordPress event tracking as the data collection engine, and GA4 as the reporting and analysis tool.

Can I track custom events with WordPress event tracking?

Yes! Advanced DataLayer Tracker supports custom WordPress event tracking. You can fire your own custom events using the dataLayer.push() method, and they’ll integrate seamlessly with the existing WordPress event tracking infrastructure. This flexibility allows you to track business-specific interactions while maintaining consistency with standard event tracking patterns.

Does WordPress event tracking slow down my site?

No. Advanced DataLayer Tracker is optimized for performance and has minimal impact on page load times. The WordPress event tracking code is lightweight, loads asynchronously, and uses efficient event detection methods. Most sites see no measurable performance degradation when implementing comprehensive WordPress event tracking with this plugin.

Is WordPress event tracking GDPR compliant?

Yes, when configured correctly. Advanced DataLayer Tracker includes built-in consent management that integrates with popular CMPs. The WordPress event tracking respects user consent preferences and can operate in server-side mode to enhance privacy compliance. See our Consent Management Guide (https://datalayer-tracker.com/knowledge-base/consent-management-guide/) for complete GDPR compliance setup.

What platforms integrate with WordPress event tracking?

WordPress event tracking through Advanced DataLayer Tracker integrates with Google Tag Manager, GA4, Google Ads, Meta Pixel, TikTok, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and more. The WordPress event tracking data flows into the dataLayer, making it accessible to any tag management or analytics platform that supports the dataLayer standard.

Mastering WordPress Event Tracking

Implementing comprehensive WordPress event tracking is no longer optional—it’s essential for understanding user behavior and optimizing conversions. With Advanced DataLayer Tracker, you get enterprise-grade WordPress event tracking without the complexity of manual implementation. Every event is automatically detected, properly structured, and ready to integrate with your analytics stack.

From basic page views to advanced session summaries, this WordPress event tracking reference covers everything you need to build a complete analytics foundation. Whether you’re tracking engagement, forms, video, or ecommerce, each event provides valuable insights into how users interact with your site. The comprehensive approach to WordPress event tracking ensures you’re capturing every critical interaction without gaps in your data.

Modern WordPress event tracking goes beyond simple metric collection. It enables sophisticated analysis like multi-touch attribution, customer journey mapping, conversion funnel optimization, and predictive analytics. By implementing proper WordPress event tracking from the start, you build a data foundation that scales with your business and supports increasingly sophisticated analytics use cases.

Ready to transform your WordPress event tracking? Install Advanced DataLayer Tracker today and start capturing the data that drives better business decisions. With automatic event detection, pre-built GTM containers, and comprehensive documentation, you’ll have production-ready WordPress event tracking running in 15 minutes or less.

Questions about WordPress event tracking? Check out our complete documentation (https://datalayer-tracker.com/knowledge-base/) or reach out to our support team for personalized assistance with your WordPress event tracking implementation.

Related Resources

Getting Started

Advanced Guides

Setup & Configuration

External Resources

Was this article helpful?

Related Articles