Is GTM worthwhile?

Log in to reply
Trapbarn

Trapbarn

Free Member
Feb 8, 2022
106
18
www.tomdhu.co.uk
  • #1
    Google Tag Manager is one item that appears to slow down the loading of web pages. Having spent a fair bit of time successfully cutting out bloat, GTM is the one remaining culprit.

    Hence the first question--- is it worthwhile in terms of SEO ranking? If it impacts ranking indirectly then I will keep it reluctantly.

    I appreciate it links in with Analytics and that has some benefits for those who want granular detail of the actions of visitors to the site but I dont need that as I have a fair idea of the traffic.

    Second question... if I placed all the Gtag code into the footer, what impact would that have?
     
    Fagin2021

    Fagin2021

    Free Member
    Jan 27, 2021
    1,053
    878
    South West Wales
    www.rossdawson.uk
  • #2
    Trapbarn said:
    Google Tag Manager is one item that appears to slow down the loading of web pages. Having spent a fair bit of time successfully cutting out bloat, GTM is the one remaining culprit.

    Hence the first question--- is it worthwhile in terms of SEO ranking? If it impacts ranking indirectly then I will keep it reluctantly.

    I appreciate it links in with Analytics and that has some benefits for those who want granular detail of the actions of visitors to the site but I dont need that as I have a fair idea of the traffic.

    Second question... if I placed all the Gtag code into the footer, what impact would that have?
    Click to expand...
    Not an expert on this but...

    Like any code, Google Tag Manager will have some impact on performance. However, on it's own a properly implemented GTM is unlikely to be the cause of slow loading. If you haven't already done so, run a 'Lighthouse' report (an extension of Chrome) on a page with GTM. That will be a better indicator of what is causing the issue.

    GTM has no impact on rankings so removing the code won't matter for that.

    You need GTM for Google Ads conversions and analytics. If you're not bothered about these things, now or in the future, you don't need GTM. Google Search Console doesn't require it..

    Putting it in the footer gives you the worst of both worlds. It still needs to load but won't capture those visitors who don't scroll down to the footer - thereby distorting your stats.
     
    Upvote 0
    antropy

    antropy

    Business Member
    • Business Listing
    Aug 2, 2010
    5,314
    1,100
    West Sussex, UK
    www.antropy.co.uk
  • #3
    Trapbarn said:
    Google Tag Manager is one item that appears to slow down the loading of web pages. Having spent a fair bit of time successfully cutting out bloat, GTM is the one remaining culprit.
    Click to expand...
    Most Google products are slow and rubbish these days. It's up to you whether you need it or not.

    Paul.
     
    Upvote 0
    makeusvisible

    makeusvisible

    Free Member
    • Jan 23, 2011
    1,272
    1
    332
    Cumbria, UK
    www.muv.co.uk
  • #4
    From what you describe, it sounds like it has been implemented purely for Analytics. If that's the case, and you don't wish to use Google analytics, then yes, you could remove it.

    Keeping in mind the launch/roll-out of GA4, it may be that you need to review your implementation soon anyway.

    In terms of SEO. No. Analytics or Tag Manager are purely tools to measure and judge, not tools that impact your SEO performance alone. The only possible SEO implications could be load-speed, and the overhead the code creates..... but that would be marginal, bordering negligible if properly implemented.
     
    Upvote 0
    artsem

    artsem

    Free Member
    Mar 21, 2023
    6
    0
    Poland
    solveit.dev
  • #6
    Trapbarn said:
    Google Tag Manager is one item that appears to slow down the loading of web pages. Having spent a fair bit of time successfully cutting out bloat, GTM is the one remaining culprit.

    Hence the first question--- is it worthwhile in terms of SEO ranking? If it impacts ranking indirectly then I will keep it reluctantly.

    I appreciate it links in with Analytics and that has some benefits for those who want granular detail of the actions of visitors to the site but I dont need that as I have a fair idea of the traffic.

    Second question... if I placed all the Gtag code into the footer, what impact would that have?
    Click to expand...
    There are a few exceptions, but for the most part, you'll always want to put your GA tracking code immediately after the <head> tag in the header of each page of your site. If you put the code in the footer, especially if you run other scripts on your site, Analytics might not track your users accurately.
     
    Upvote 0
    Log in to reply

    Latest Articles

    Top Bottom
    Community
    Articles
    Menu