Customer events/pixel and a script in the header for anything else (contact forms etc). Answer from FigSpecific6210 on reddit.com
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Shopify Help Center
help.shopify.com › en › manual › reports-and-analytics › google-analytics › google-tag-manager
Shopify Help Center | Google Tag Manager
Google Tag Manager doesn't replace Google Analytics. Instead, it can be used to add Google Analytics tracking codes (tags) to a website, deploy Google Analytics code snippets, and define rules for when each tag must fire. It's recommended that you use Shopify's built-in integration to Google Analytics because Shopify has the necessary logic built in to record Google Analytics Enhanced Ecommerce data.
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Customer events/pixel and a script in the header for anything else (contact forms etc).
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So I did this (4) recently. There's a bunch of approaches, listed below. Roughly increasing complexity and cost as you go down 1) Don't use GTM, use default app. Just use the 'Google & YouTube' app (crap name). It can send a decent set of events to GA4 and Ads. Pretty inflexible, but also fine for 90% of Shopify stores. KISS. Most common by far. 2) GTM in theme + default app Using the default (1) app. Also add GTM to theme directly. Lets you biff in a few extra tags, like if you wanted to track some form success submits, or some menu interactions or something via GTM, firing the events to the GA4 tag that is inserted via default app. But you don't have a data layer so it's a pretty simple setup. 3) GTM in custom pixel (only) Remove any apps or GTM code from themes. Create custom pixel in Shopify admin. Chuck the standard GTM head code in it. Grab a template to subscribe/map the available Pixel events (page . Setup some tags to fire. Viola. There are some major limitations with this, because the Shopify Custom PIxel environment is sandboxed (runs in iframe) meaning it can't directly scrape or inject stuff like a normal GTM implementation. But you can still fire tags to a bunch of places. This sucks because you loose most GA4 data. 4) Hybrid: GTM in Shopify Custom Pixel and GTM in theme This can be a technically challenging setup, ideally needs a dev (who understands GTM, GA4 and GAds) to setup robust custom dataLayer added to theme JS code to support GTM. It gets you the 'full' functionality of GTM on all pages except checkout. Then GTM runs inside a Shopify Custom Pixel on checkout pages. Custom pixel is set to only load GTM on checkout pages, so you don't end up with dupe GTMs and events. Works pretty well and possibly best 'free' option, but you have to know what you're doing. Suuucks to debug though because can't see tags firing properly using Tag Assistant. 5) Hybrid via App Some apps will implement (3) for you but instead of custom code in a custom pixel they create a black box 'app pixel' that is essentially the same thing, but you can't control. Costs $10-$100 a month. Can be handy if you are not techy, but want a good baseline setup easily. Can be a bit in-flexible, depends on app. 6) Skip GTM, go server-side app. Similar to (4) but no cGTM. Instead using something like Stape (sGTM) or ProfitMetrics. Much nicer way to tie everything together into server-side events and get increased visibility. Eg Metas CAPI. Elevar and LittleData kind-of fit in here too. 7) Skip GTM. Go full CDP, server-side platform + app. RudderStack or Segment. Similar to (5) but going full CDP. They both have a helper app that also installs a Shopify Pixel. Highly flexible and somewhat future-proof. Seems like where things are heading. RudderStack cheaper, but less common. Segment more expensive, more well documented and supported. More notes: LovesData has a decent video comparing (1) and (2) Youtube video: 5GVIrxZdlPY Should go without saying that the Checkout > Additional Scripts is depreciated, possibly why everyone has this problem around about the same time :) LeoMeasure has a good explainer to set up (4) YouTube tutorial: qNViSdxXq9I ^ in that vid there are links to Github repo and Dropbox for full GTM container. There will be even more approaches that fit between these options. There is also custom, self hosted sGTM, not covered here. Seems unfortunately common that stores are using some legacy or conflicting combination of multiple approaches. So good to recognise this and know the different setups. Things have become waaay more complex than they were like 5 years ago (sadly). Options 6 & 7 will help close the tracking gap, where ITP, cookie privacy, privacy modes or ad-blockers will drop 20-40% of your traffic stats when using only client SCP / GTM / GA4 / GAds It's a real struggle to find this info laid out in a comprehensive way. Everyone wants to sell you something. Also things keep changing, this stuff seems to get out of date every couple of months.
Discussions

What is the use case for Google Tag Manager for most shopify stores?
If you connect google and youtube app with your shopify store no need to put any extra script for google ads tracking. Sometimes google and youtube app cannot handle the frequent conversions from google ads. in that case you would need to consider google tag manager by creating a custom datalayer ... More on community.shopify.com
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0
November 13, 2024
Google Tag Manager Conversion Tracking Shopify Basic
Hi everyone. I’m trying to figure out how to setup conversion tracking using google tag manager on a shopify basic site. I have the google tag manager code installed and working fine in theme.liquid. However, I’m not sure how to track when a customer makes a purchase? More on community.shopify.com
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0
December 23, 2023
Where to add Google Tag Manager code in my online store?
I want to know where I need to add this code to in my store! Store is: www.aussieicebaths.com.au TIA (Thanks In Advance) More on community.shopify.com
🌐 community.shopify.com
0
October 22, 2023
Best way to connect GA4 to shopify store - Google Tag Manager vs Shopify Sales Channel
But to be honest, I still dont know if i should just use Shopify’s Google App or if its better to use Google Tag Manager. (Same goes for Google Analytics) Basically, I would like to use GTM because I will need it anyway for other code snippets (Clarity, etc). More on community.shopify.com
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March 9, 2023
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Google Support
support.google.com › tagmanager › answer › 12183125
Shopify: Set up your Google tag - Tag Manager Help
If you want to edit your conversion events and destinations, select Manage. Select the pencil icon next to the conversion action you’d like to change. You can: ... Check the box to “Add custom conversion ID/label” for Google Ads conversion or Floodlight destinations to receive data from the specified Shopify events. For Google Ads, enter the AW-CONVERSION_ID/CONVERSION_LABEL string found in your event snippet · For Floodlight, enter the DC-CONFIG_ID/ACTIVITY_GROUP_TAG_STRING/ACTIVITY_TAG_STRING+COUNTING_METHOD string found in your Google tag event snippet for tagging.
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Shopify Help Center
help.shopify.com › en › manual › promoting-marketing › pixels › custom-pixels › gtm-tutorial
Shopify Help Center | Create a Google Tag Manager custom pixel
Click Admin, and then click Install Google Tag Manager to open the installation code. Copy the code block that belongs in the head section of a page. Remove the HTML tags from the code block.
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MeasureSchool
measureschool.com › home › how to install google tag manager (and ga4) in shopify
How to Install Google Tag Manager on Shopify (Step by Step)
This is a guide to installing Google Tag Manager on Shopify. Learn how you can start tracking sales and other important events on your store.
Published   January 7, 2025
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Elevar
getelevar.com › home › resources › how to set up google tag manager in shopify — in minutes
How to Set Up Google Tag Manager in Shopify — in Minutes | Elevar
August 10, 2023 - Since Shopify recently locked down the additional GA scripts setting for option # 1 which restricts the ability to add custom javascript to this setting, Option # 3 is my preference in order to leverage the data layer for event tracking and marketing tags like Facebook and Google AdWords. Here are details on how to try out all three options. In order to get Google Tag Manager setup across the entire site, including all checkout pages, it only needs to be set up in one place within the Shopify admin.
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Analyzify
analyzify.com › home › guidebooks
A Detailed Guidebook on Shopify - GTM | Analyzify - Analyzify
Learn how you can set up and use GTM on Shopify. Everything about Shopify Google Tag Manager integration: tutorials, apps, knowledge base and more.
Find elsewhere
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Shopify Community
community.shopify.com › start a business
What is the use case for Google Tag Manager for most shopify stores? - #4 by J_mah - Start a Business - Shopify Community
November 13, 2024 - If you connect google and youtube app with your shopify store no need to put any extra script for google ads tracking. Sometimes google and youtube app cannot handle the frequent conversions from google ads. in that case you would need to consider google tag manager by creating a custom datalayer on custom pixel.
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Shopify Community
community.shopify.com › start a business
Google Tag Manager Conversion Tracking Shopify Basic
December 23, 2023 - Hi everyone. I’m trying to figure out how to setup conversion tracking using google tag manager on a shopify basic site. I have the google tag manager code installed and working fine in theme.liquid. However, I’m not sur…
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Google Support
support.google.com › tagmanager › answer › 15642481
Migrate your Google tags with the Google & YouTube app on Shopify - Tag Manager Help
Due to limitations of the Shopify platform, you can’t set up Google Tag Manager through the Google & YouTube app.
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Magefan
magefan.com › home › blog › shopify
Google Tag Manager in Shopify: Setup, Testing and Tips
August 12, 2025 - Google Tag Manager (GTM) is a free tag management system that allows you to install, manage, and update marketing and analytics tags on your website — without modifying Shopify theme every time.
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Coursera
coursera.org › coursera articles › business › marketing › google tag manager shopify integration: how to set it up
Google Tag Manager Shopify Integration: How to Set It Up | Coursera
July 25, 2025 - Google Tag Manager is a free tool with added benefits like testing and debugging to reduce errors and seamless integration with Google Analytics and Google Ads for enhanced data collection and reporting.
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Medium
medium.com › @reveation-labs › how-to-implement-google-tag-manager-on-shopify-checkout-page-gtm-tutorial-0fb71b1b6dc8
How to Implement Google Tag Manager on Shopify Checkout Page — GTM Tutorial - Reveation Labs - Medium
September 16, 2025 - Have you ever wished you could see exactly what your Shopify checkout page users are doing? The majority of store owners struggle with incomplete data, which makes it challenging to determine what is and is not working. Google Tag Manager (GTM) can help with that.
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Shopify Community
community.shopify.com › shopify discussion
Where to add Google Tag Manager code in my online store?
October 22, 2023 - I want to know where I need to add this code to in my store! Store is: www.aussieicebaths.com.au TIA (Thanks In Advance)
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PageFly
pagefly.io › blogs › shopify › google-tag-manager-for-shopify
Google Tag Manager for Shopify: A Step-by-step Guide (2025)
January 14, 2025 - Google Tag Manager (GTM) is a free tool that helps you manage and deploy tracking codes (tags) without editing the actual website code. These tags can collect all data, from traffic metrics to purchase conversions.
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Shopify Community
community.shopify.com › technical q&a
Best way to connect GA4 to shopify store
March 9, 2023 - Hey all, I have just spent hours researching how to correctly insert GA4 to Shopify. But to be honest, I still dont know if i should just use Shopify’s Google App or if its better to use Google Tag Manager. (Same goes …
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Cirklestudio
cirklestudio.co › blog › how to add google tag manager to shopify: step-by-step guide 2025
How to Add Google Tag Manager to Shopify: Step-by-Step Guide
2 weeks ago - Version Control and Debugging: GTM provides a version history and a preview/debug mode, allowing you to test changes safely before publishing them live on your Shopify store. Seamless Integration with Marketing Tools: GTM supports a wide range of third-party tools and analytics platforms, ensuring seamless integration without custom coding. Reduced Developer Dependency: Marketers and store owners can add, edit, or remove tracking tags independently, saving time and reducing reliance on developers for minor updates. In this article, we’ll show 2 methods to add Google Tag Manager to Shopify.
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Shopify Community
community.shopify.com › shopify discussion
Need help with connecting Google Tag Manager to ...
February 22, 2025 - Hi @fwskincare Follow the link here, and you’ll find two code snippets: First code snippet → Add it right after the tag (see the exact position in this screenshot). Second code snippet → Add it immediately after the tag. Be careful here—many people make mistakes.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/googletagmanager › shopify intergration vs google tag manager
r/GoogleTagManager on Reddit: Shopify intergration vs Google Tag Manager
May 26, 2025 -

Hi everyone,

I am currently optimising an account for a couple of friends who are using the Shopify CMS to sell his products. In Shopify every Google feature and META (Search Console, Analytics, Google Ads) are linked as of now.

To my understanding and experience, adding a GTM container to the website and add the tags for each platform, for instance the META config, Google Ads tag and the appropriate conversion events. This manual set-up gives greater flexibility and more control, analysis capabilities and reporting.

However, they insist on using the connections made by Shopify with these tools. I do think a new environment with a solid set-up helps them in the future.

What is your take / experience on this and how to tackle such an issue?

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Shopify Community
community.shopify.com › shopify discussion
How to Add Google Tag Manager to the <head> of the Shopify Order Status Page?
May 5, 2025 - I’ve already added my Google Tag Manager and Google Analytics code inside the of my theme.liquid file, and it works perfectly across the entire site — except for the order status (thank you) page. I understand that Shopify allows custom scripts in the Checkout > Additional Scripts section, ...