How to Track Link Clicks in Google Analytics

1st October 2020

Unlike pageview or destination tracking, by default, there is no way to set up link click tracking in the Google Analytics platform itself. However, in this handy guide, we cover the different ways you can get it working.

Can You Track Link Clicks in Google Analytics?

Yes, Google Analytics has the capability to track link clicks through ‘event’ tracking. This is made possible from data fed into the Analytics platform, you just need the right tools for the job. You can track link clicks via plugins, hardcoding or via Google Tag Manager.

Say Hello to Events

To track link clicks in Google Analytics, you need to track them as ‘events’. Events are specifically designed to capture different user actions on a website, whether it be filling out a form, watching a video, or clicking a link.

You then have the option to track these events as ‘Goals’ in Analytics.  However, we would only ever recommend setting goals for events that you personally count as hard conversions (e.g. a ‘quote request’ form submission).

Tracking link clicks as events can be achieved by three main methods:

  1. Plugins
  2. Hardcode the event using script tags (i.e. get a developer to do it)
  3. Google Tag Manager

1. Tracking Link Clicks via Plugins

It’s possible to track link clicks via plugins for your CMS; a few examples being ‘Gravitate Event Tracking’ and ‘Track Everything’ (WordPress specifically). These will need to be put in place by a developer, as plugins can cause a lot of problems on your website if you don’t know what you’ are doing!

Alongside them requiring a developer, we would advise against plugins for the following reasons:

  • They are not compatible with every site or platform (most are WP)
  • Too many plugins can be detrimental
  • They can slow down your site
  • They can produce security vulnerabilities if not adequately managed
  • There can be incompatibilities with other plugins
  • Your control is limited as plugins are from third parties – i.e. someone else is developing it.  This means that you may not be able to achieve what you want from your tracking.

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